Discussion Re-Signings, Retirements, Delistings, Trade & Drafting
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Lance 'Buddy' Franklin retirement: Sydney and Hawthorn great hangs up boots after 18 AFL seasons (msn.com)
Sydney superstar Lance "Buddy" Franklin has announced his retirement from the AFL, effective immediately.
The news comes after Franklin suffered a calf injury in the Swan's win over Essendon on Saturday.
Now 36 years old, the AFL great told his Sydney teammates that he'd be hanging up the boots on Monday.
Franklin finishes his career on 354 games, with an incredible tally of 1066 goals — the fourth most all-time.
Sydney superstar Lance "Buddy" Franklin has announced his retirement from the AFL, effective immediately.
The news comes after Franklin suffered a calf injury in the Swan's win over Essendon on Saturday.
Now 36 years old, the AFL great told his Sydney teammates that he'd be hanging up the boots on Monday.
Franklin finishes his career on 354 games, with an incredible tally of 1066 goals — the fourth most all-time.
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Sad day for footy with the loss of Buddy. It's lead me to write a few words on my memories of his career.
I remember reading the back page of a Herald Sun in 2003 or 2004 before he was drafted, and there was a picture of a gangly kid from WA who was being touted as a potential star of the future. That stuck with me at the time and it makes you think when you are getting back page attention of a Melbourne newspaper at 16 or 17 it's a bit of an indication you might have something. I was even more thrilled when he was drafted by the Hawks at the end of 2004.
He was so raw in those first couple of years but I think anyone that remembers his early days would recall early glimpses of freakish ability. After a couple of 6 goal bursts in 2006, he really arrived in 2007. 9 goals against the Dons on a Saturday arvo at the G. The EF final where he cooly slotted his 7th to win the game against the Crows. He finished with over 60 goals from around 120 shots. Pretty remarkable numbers for a 3rd year player.
His 2008 season was even better. Topped the 100. Kicked 8 or more on 4 occasions. I went to the footy on a Friday night with a mate that supported Collingwood. First time he had seen Bud in the flesh. He kicked 8 that night and Bud had won over another opposition supporter as a fan. 100 goals came for the only time in his career against the Blues on QT in the final round of the year. Unluckily Fev was stranded on 99 at the end of that match. I went into that finals series nervous. Buddy quickly killed those nerves when he kicked 8 in the QF. The rest is history as he went on to win his 1st flag.
I was at the Essendon game in 2010 when he kicked one of the most unbelievable goals ever seen by a big man. Poor Cale Hooker just couldn't get near him. 2011 he nearly stole the PF off the Pies with a ridiculous dribble from the pocket before Luke Ball iced the game late for his side. 2013 rolls around and it felt inevitable that he was leaving although the media had it looking like GWS was the destination. He did leave Hawks fans with 13 against the Roos (edit the 13 was in 2012), and a 2nd flag.
So many things he did in red and white were special too. Sydney didn't have too many winners in the 2014 GF, but Buddy could hold his head high. Tried his guts out, took most of his opportunities and finished with 4 in a game that was over early in the second Q. He nabbed the 2nd and last 10 goal haul of his career in the final round of 2017. He kicked his 1000th goal in remarkable scenes at the SCG early in 2022. He couldn't quite close out with a flag at the Swans but played in 3 GF's, to go along with his 3 at Hawthorn.
He was just a remarkable player. One of my heroes. Would have loved him to stay at Hawthorn forever, but never begrudged him leaving. And now he's gone forever. Thanks for the memories Bud!
I remember reading the back page of a Herald Sun in 2003 or 2004 before he was drafted, and there was a picture of a gangly kid from WA who was being touted as a potential star of the future. That stuck with me at the time and it makes you think when you are getting back page attention of a Melbourne newspaper at 16 or 17 it's a bit of an indication you might have something. I was even more thrilled when he was drafted by the Hawks at the end of 2004.
He was so raw in those first couple of years but I think anyone that remembers his early days would recall early glimpses of freakish ability. After a couple of 6 goal bursts in 2006, he really arrived in 2007. 9 goals against the Dons on a Saturday arvo at the G. The EF final where he cooly slotted his 7th to win the game against the Crows. He finished with over 60 goals from around 120 shots. Pretty remarkable numbers for a 3rd year player.
His 2008 season was even better. Topped the 100. Kicked 8 or more on 4 occasions. I went to the footy on a Friday night with a mate that supported Collingwood. First time he had seen Bud in the flesh. He kicked 8 that night and Bud had won over another opposition supporter as a fan. 100 goals came for the only time in his career against the Blues on QT in the final round of the year. Unluckily Fev was stranded on 99 at the end of that match. I went into that finals series nervous. Buddy quickly killed those nerves when he kicked 8 in the QF. The rest is history as he went on to win his 1st flag.
I was at the Essendon game in 2010 when he kicked one of the most unbelievable goals ever seen by a big man. Poor Cale Hooker just couldn't get near him. 2011 he nearly stole the PF off the Pies with a ridiculous dribble from the pocket before Luke Ball iced the game late for his side. 2013 rolls around and it felt inevitable that he was leaving although the media had it looking like GWS was the destination. He did leave Hawks fans with 13 against the Roos (edit the 13 was in 2012), and a 2nd flag.
So many things he did in red and white were special too. Sydney didn't have too many winners in the 2014 GF, but Buddy could hold his head high. Tried his guts out, took most of his opportunities and finished with 4 in a game that was over early in the second Q. He nabbed the 2nd and last 10 goal haul of his career in the final round of 2017. He kicked his 1000th goal in remarkable scenes at the SCG early in 2022. He couldn't quite close out with a flag at the Swans but played in 3 GF's, to go along with his 3 at Hawthorn.
He was just a remarkable player. One of my heroes. Would have loved him to stay at Hawthorn forever, but never begrudged him leaving. And now he's gone forever. Thanks for the memories Bud!
Privileged to watch Franklin play throughout his career, including cheering every goal in his Hawk days. Won't see anyone like him again.
View: https://youtu.be/lWyC64RNXOY
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As soon as I saw this I idly had the thought "could he make the Hall of Fame?"
Just looking at the list of all inductees, here's all the players that I recognise as backmen that have been inducted in the AFL era:
Glenn Archer
Nathan Burke
Corey Enright
Ben Hart
Glen Jakovich
Guy McKenna
Paul Roos
Matthew Scarlett
Stephen Silvagni
As well as guys like Pavlich and Chris Grant that played back out of necessity at times but were more recognised as forwards.
A career to match up with those? I would think so. 332 games, potentially four more, the 2018 flag as captain, the most recognisable boot out of full back this side of Lindsay Gilbee...
Just looking at the list of all inductees, here's all the players that I recognise as backmen that have been inducted in the AFL era:
Glenn Archer
Nathan Burke
Corey Enright
Ben Hart
Glen Jakovich
Guy McKenna
Paul Roos
Matthew Scarlett
Stephen Silvagni
As well as guys like Pavlich and Chris Grant that played back out of necessity at times but were more recognised as forwards.
A career to match up with those? I would think so. 332 games, potentially four more, the 2018 flag as captain, the most recognisable boot out of full back this side of Lindsay Gilbee...
All good thanks mate, played a year longer than I expected tbh.
Played a great game on the weekend matched up against Nick Larkey - despite the big height difference he managed to keep him quiet using all his experience/ smart body positioning/ reading the play.
In his prime, his kicking was just unreal - just made a different sound off the boot & the ball travelled so quickly through the air/great penetration:-
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLKWnwL75ww
Premiership captain, top shelf defender, great clubman, hates any attention - just goes about his business with a minimum of fuss.
Well played Bunga, been a pleasure watching your career
Played a great game on the weekend matched up against Nick Larkey - despite the big height difference he managed to keep him quiet using all his experience/ smart body positioning/ reading the play.
In his prime, his kicking was just unreal - just made a different sound off the boot & the ball travelled so quickly through the air/great penetration:-
Premiership captain, top shelf defender, great clubman, hates any attention - just goes about his business with a minimum of fuss.
Well played Bunga, been a pleasure watching your career
