joy after all these years I was losing in the finals, he said. I was finally able to do it.

Lance Franklin is a man of few words but when he speaks, teammates listen.Franklin has served as a mentor for Sydney youngsters Xavier Richards, Isaac Heeney, Tom Papley and George Hewett throughout the AFL season.The superstars leadership may not attract the same kind of analysis and adulation as his game-breaking goals, slick passing or ability to harass.But it has made a big impression on the people who matter most, like Swans co-captain Jarrad McVeigh.He doesnt speak a hell of a lot but when he does we all sit up and listen, McVeigh said.Its always spot on with what hes seeing and how he sees the game ... we all stand taller when we stand beside him.The way hes taught the young players with leading patterns and the way the game should be played, theyve taken a huge amount of confidence out of it.Franklin, returning to the sports grandest stage after sitting out the 2015 finals because of mental health issues, was always going to be a star attraction at Fridays grand final parade.Id take that wouldnt I? Id take it, Franklin said, when asked if he thought hed be playing the 2016 grand final at this time last year.The 29-year-old was more interested in heaping praise on fellow forwards Richards and Papley than talking about his own form or likely role on Saturday.Theyre obviously some talented kids but theyve got in the team on the back of some really strong pre-seasons, Franklin said.Theyve been really good this week, theyve been positive ... everyones kept them pretty grounded. It does help being in Sydney though, youre sort of away from the bubble of football.Franklin looms as a wildcard in Saturdays grand final.He is arguably the player most capable of single-handedly influencing the result but theres also the fact Western Bulldogs cant confidently bank on what sort of role hell play.Franklin has booted a team-high 80 goals this year but in recent weeks has been doing his best work further up the ground, teeing up plenty of goals with pinpoint passes.It just changes, we dont go in with an absolutely specific role for him, Swans coach John Longmire said.As opposition defences change, forward lines change as well.It just depends on the state of the game, what we think needs to happen at a certain period of time or what Lance thinks about where he needs to go.We have a bit of flexibility with that ... Lance has a pretty good feel for the game.If we need to change it, we do.Franklin booted 5.4 when the two sides met in round 15, with Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge saying his presence played a role in team selection.Part of it (picking Fletcher Roberts ahead of Matthew Suckling) is related to that, Beveridge said.Last time Lance kicked five and showed what he can do when he gets some supply, well have to be right on our toes around their big forwards. Buccaneers Jerseys Authentic China . The 25-year-old Japanese star has officially been posted by his club team, the Rakuten Golden Eagles. Wholesale Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jerseys . Thousands of Southern California fans enveloped the Trojans to celebrate an improbable win secured by an interim coach, an inconsistent kicker and a thin defence that wouldnt break. http://www.cheapbuccaneersjerseysauthentic.com/ . -- Matt Kuchar and Harris English ran away with the Franklin Templeton Shootout, shooting a 14-under 58 on Sunday in the final-round scramble to break the tournament course record. Buccaneers Jerseys China Cheap . -- Playing time has been limited for Maxim Tissot this season, so the Montreal Impact defender made the most of his first scoring opportunity on Saturday. Wholesale Buccaneers Jerseys . LOUIS -- Theres no telling how these wacky World Series games will end. NEWPORT, R.I. -- Ivo Karlovic charged the net, put his backhand shot over and knew he finally won the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships.The second-seeded Karlovic, from Croatia, beat third-seeded Gilles Muller of Luxembourg 6-7 (2), 7-6 (5), 7-6 (12) on Sunday in the longest deciding tiebreaker in the Open Era.The 37-year-old Karlovic lost in the final on Newports grass courts the previous two years. It was his seventh career ATP title.Hes the oldest to win an ATP event since Marty Riessen captured the title at Lafayette, Louisiana, at 37 years, 9 months in 1979. Karlovic turned 37 four months ago.I was able to put it over the net and there was a lot of joy after all these years I was losing in the finals, he said. I was finally able to do it. I was down to match point. That makes it even nicer.Karlovic fought off three match points and won it on his fifth match point, ending the final after two hours, 56 minutes.The 6-foot-11 Karlovic raised both arms in triumph, turned and blew kisses to the fans in his players box behind the baseline.Its awesome because when you lose like this in the last two years, you are down to match point, thoughts come into your head, Karlovic said. It was that much nicer.After losing the first set tiebreaker, he took a 6-5 edge in thhe second tiebreaker when Muller appeared to give up slightly on Karlovics overhead lob that feel inside the baseline.ddddddddddddKarlovic then won the second set with a forehand winner.Muller smashed his racket in frustration during the changeover.In the third tiebreaker, both players came up with big shots before Muller hit a forehand long from close to the net, setting up the final point.I dont think I did that much wrong, Muller said. I think Ivo played great on all the match points. He served great. I won a couple of matches in the last few weeks where I was the lucky one, I wasnt the lucky one.Muller, 33, was looking for his first career ATP title.If I look back to the beginning of the week, I think, yeah, I would have been lucky with making the final, he said. Right now, its just too close.The tourney is played on the grounds of the International Tennis Hall of Fame and is held in conjunction with induction ceremonies. Marat Safin and Justine Henin headed the 2016 class that was enshrined Saturday with the semifinals.The Open Era began in 1968, when the Grand Slam events allowed professional players to compete with amateurs. ' ' '