LANCE Franklin is one step closer to leaving Hawthorn after the Sydney Swans lodged a free agency offer with the AFL on Friday.

AFL media relations manager Patrick Keane tweeted that the Swans had made an official offer to Franklin following Tuesday's news they had beaten Greater Western Sydney to the superstar's signature with a nine-year, $10 million offer.

Franklin's passage to the Swans is not yet a formality, however, with Keane saying the AFL was "still examining" the extraordinary offer.

If the AFL approves the offer the Hawks will have 72 hours from the time of approval to decide whether to keep Franklin, given he is a restricted free agent, by matching the Swans' offer.

But Hawthorn list manager Graham Wright said earlier on Friday it was unlikely to do that.

"It would be doubtful but we would wait until we actually see the offer first," Wright said.

"We're disappointed he is gone – at this stage – we have not seen any free agent offers come in yet and we will deal with that when they do."