SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 07: Lance Franklin of the Swans kicks a goal during the round three AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Sydney Cricket Ground on April 7, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Stephen Quartermain has been within the AFL community for decades, and has seen the likes of Wayne Carey, Gary Ablett, Stephen Silvagni, Jason Dunstall, Leigh Matthews, Nick Riewoldt, Matthew Pavlich and the list goes on.

However, after witnessing the heroics on Saturday night against the Giants, Quartermain has labelled Lance Franklin, 'the greatest excitement machine the game has ever seen'.

“I’ve been following footy religiously for 45 years, he’s certainly in the top ten best players I’ve ever seen,” Quartermain said on SEN’s Whateley.

In one of the modern day rivalries in a one-on-one, Franklin was unnoticeable to three-quarter time, with little to no impact at all on the game.

However, as champions do, he was able to light up the SCG crowd with two spectacular individual pieces of play, propelling his side to the four premiership points.

“He is one of the most extraordinarily talented footballers I have ever seen in my life, probably the most talented," Quartermain said.

"The best – Leigh Matthews is still probably the best I have ever seen, and Wayne Carey is probably the second best I have seen, but certainly in my top ten.”

Already in 2018, we have seen the impact of the key forward become so important, with the likes of Franklin, as well as Jeremy Cameron, Tom Lynch and Ben Brown being able to dominate matches, in what is such a free-flowing and fast-paced game compared to a decade ago.

“That is why we need to celebrate, protect and encourage the gun full forward, because more than any other player on the ground, people will go to the football and buy a ticket just to watch a gun full forward do what he does, and that’s kick goals, and a lot of them spectacular," Quartermain added.