Lance Franklin reckons his recent run of red-hot form for AFL flag favourites Sydney is being talked up.
The star forward has delivered match-winning performances in each of the Swans' past two matches, booting crucial final-quarter goals for victories against ladder leaders Port Adelaide and Richmond last Friday.
It marked a considerable turnaround for the ex-Hawthorn player, who struggled in front of goal while battling a knee injury earlier in the season.
But consistent training over the last six weeks has got him kicking straighter - and arguably longer - than ever.
Asked on Tuesday whether he feels he's been in some of the best form of his storied AFL career, Franklin said: "Not necessarily.
"I think I've been talked up a little bit.
"I'm just playing my role for the footy club and I'm enjoying it."
After 12 games this year, he is averaging more kicks (11.1), disposals (16.1), marks (5.3), behinds (2.1) and tackles (3.0) than he did with the Hawks in their 2013 premiership season.
Yet the 27-year-old said he hasn't gauged a level of improvement or an obvious lift in his game.
"It's not something that I really look at," Franklin said.
"I don't go into a game saying that I want to get this many kicks, this many marks or this many goals.
"I just want to go out there and play my role for the footy club.
"And if the goals come, and the marks come, they come. But it doesn't really matter.
"As long as we're winning games of football, who cares what happens.
"Hopefully my form can keep improving."
Franklin is set to be reunited with his buddy Kurt Tippett in Saturday's clash with cross-town rivals Greater Western Sydney.
Tippett missed two weeks after he underwent minor knee surgery but is a likely inclusion in the Swans' 22 for the SCG match, barring any hiccups during training on Tuesday.
"It does help having Tippo back in the side," said Franklin, adding that his role had to change in Tippett's absence.
"He's such a big presence up forward and always takes a good defender with him.
"So hopefully he'll be out there this weekend with me."
The $10 million recruit is hoping Saturday's match won't be a repeat of his round one debut for the club against the Giants, which they lost by 32 points.
"We lost two (after that) which was disappointing, but since then our form's been really good as a football club.
"We just can't wait to get out there Saturday night and get another win and go from there.
"GWS have been playing pretty good football the last couple of weeks, so we're going to have our work cut out against a quality outfit.
"We're looking forward to the challenge."
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