Although arguably the best forward of his generation, Franklin can have spells where his radar is off – and now is one such time.

The Swans superstar has managed a wayward 4.12 in his past three games, including a lean return of 0.6 last week. His inaccuracy has not cost his team victory, though his goalkicking would have likely come under heavy scrutiny had the Swans not conjured a last-gasp miracle against Essendon.

His recent jitters in front of the big sticks have dragged his shot at goal accuracy – which takes into account shots that are out on the full or fail to score – to 45.6 per cent this year, which is worse than any other campaign in his 13-year career.

Noted for being one of the best kicks from long range, Franklin has kicked 3.9 from 40 metres in the past three games since the bye. Conversion rates drop the further out from goal a player is but Franklin is not one who generally passes up the responsibility to score from downtown.

In a play widely seen as a sign his confidence had waned, Franklin in the last term passed to a teammate, Kieren Jack, from a similar range though on a better angle. Jack's kick was controversially ruled to have been touched on the line.

"That tells you where Buddy's confidence is at with his goalkicking," former AFL great Wayne Carey said. "Just wanted to give that one off, hasn't hit them at all well tonight so give it to a man who has got more confidence."

Former Collingwood and Richmond sharpshooter Brian Taylor, who kicked the ton in his Coleman Medal-winning year in 1986, is urging Franklin to back himself in.

"He doesn't need to pass off because he's the one that can make it happen," Taylor, now a commentator on Channel Seven, said.

"I'd be encouraging him to take more shots rather than less. He's the X-factor in that team, the goalkicker and the one who can turn games on its head. I'd be putting the ball in his hands as much as possible."

Those who have worked with Franklin believe his natural arc, though not as pronounced since his move north to Sydney, has only a small margin for error for things to go dramatically wrong. They feel his recent kicks for goal have lacked the "sweet connection" though his field kicking remains high class.

Taylor believes Franklin's issue is not so much technical but a matter of confidence.

"I've always been a believer you have to get the goalkicker to feel comfortable," Taylor said.

The good news for Franklin and Swans fans is his problems can be quickly rectified. Essendon's Joe Daniher was widely criticised after a return of 1.6 earlier this season to which he responded with 21.2 from his next six matches.

Nor is Franklin in a form slump. He is still finding enough of the ball for a forward and generating plenty of shots at goal.

"It can turn around really quickly," Taylor said.