Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin retires from footy effective immediately after legendary AFL career for Sydney and Hawthorn

Sydney and Hawthorn great Lance Franklin has announced his retirement and will not play another game of AFL after being injured in the Swans’ loss to Essendon on Sunday.

The 36-year-old’s exit from the sport was officially announced by the club on Monday afternoon after the forward told teammates of his decision earlier in the day, labelling his career an ‘unbelievable journey’.

Franklin posted a brief message of gratitude on Instagram shortly after the news became public.

‘What a journey. Thanks to everyone who has been on this crazy ride with me,’ he wrote, accompanied by a love heart emoji.

Franklin (pictured playing against Essendon) appeared to have turned his season around after missing several games with injury and suffering a dip in form earlier in the year 

However, the all-time great cut a dejected figure after being subbed off with a calf injury against Essendon on Saturday (pictured) in an unwanted end to his last ever game of AFL 

Franklin thanked ‘everyone who has been on this crazy ride with me’ in an Instagram message he posted soon after the news became public

The ex-Hawk injured his calf muscle against the Bombers and took no further part in the match after being subbed off in the second quarter. 

Franklin, who won a premiership with the Hawks in 2008 and 2013, will go down as one of the greatest players in the history of Aussie Rules football.

He’s now ranked fourth among the all-time list of AFL and VFL goalkickers with 1066 majors from his 354 games, with his 1000th goal setting off wild scenes as fans flooded the SCG during the Swans’ clash with Geelong in March last year.

Among his many achievements, he was an eight-time All Australian, led the goalkicking for seven times for Sydney and six times for Hawthorn, and won the Coleman Medal as the league’s top goalkicker on four occasions. 

The West Australian stunned the game at the end of the 2013 season by signing a massive nine-year deal with the Swans.

He missed games earlier this season while struggling with injury and suffered a dip in form, leading his wife Jesinta to blast rumours his game against Richmond on July 6 would be his last at the MCG.

Those rumours have now become a sad truth for footy fans of all stripes.

Rumours have been spreading all year that this season would be Franklin’s last – and now they’ve become a sad truth for footy fans of all stripes

There was pandemonium at the SCG when the Swans icon kicked his 1000th AFL goal (pictured) last year in scenes that made headlines around the world 

The Hawthorn champion (pictured celebrating the club’s 2013 premiership win) joined the club in 2005 and soon proved himself to be one of the most exciting players in the league 

The Swans hailed their superstar as an ‘icon of the game’ in their official announcement.

‘Lance will go down as one of the greatest players to ever play this game,’ Swans CEO Tom Harley said.

‘Lance has that rare ability to transcend footy and has brought so much joy to fans for more than a decade now.

‘He is a champion and will leave a lasting legacy, not only at the Swans, but within the AFL and broader community.’ 

Franklin’s wife Jesinta posted a heartfelt Instagram message: ‘So proud of my husband on what has been an incredible career.

‘For 12 years footy has been such a huge part of our lives and has come with lots of highs and lows. It’s been an honour to be part of the journey with you.’

Speculation that this would be Franklin’s last season gathered momentum as he missed games and showed signs he wasn’t able to reach the heights of form that made him a household name.   

AFL great Leigh Montagna said Sydney should have announced Franklin’s retirement back in May after the former Hawk had just four disposals and went goalless in a loss to Fremantle at the SCG.

He was joined by Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton, who said Franklin had lost all his weapons and would continue to be beaten by faster, more agile opponents after seeing him struggle against the Dockers.

Jesinta Franklin married Buddy in 2009 and they have a daughter and son together. The former Miss Universe Australia model posted a heartfelt message when the news went public

Franklin is seen holding his daughter Tullulah on his hip after a Swans game, accompanied by his sister Bianca (left)

However, Franklin had found better form recently, kicking two goals against Richmond with 15 disposals, two goals and 12 disposals against the Dogs, followed by three majors and 11 disposals in last Saturday’s away win over Fremantle.

He finished his final game against the Bombers with three disposals, two marks and one handball, just weeks after celebrating his 350th AFL match – but never completed his footy dream by winning a grand final with the Swans, despite starring in three deciders for the team.

Franklin had played 13 games from a possible 17 this season as he was troubled by a knee injury before the damage to his calf brought his career to a close.

The left-footer with the unmistakable goalkicking action scored 580 majors in 182 games for Hawthorn after joining the club as the No.5 overall draft pick in 2005.

His breakout season came in 2007, when he finished with 63 goals, including seven in his first match of finals footy.

The West Australian excitement machine (pictured third from right, back row) won two flags with Hawthorn, where he began his first-grade career in 2005

The next season was a triumph for Franklin, who slotted home 113 goals to win the Coleman Medal as the Hawks stormed to an upset win over Geelong in the grand final and he also took out the club’s best and fairest award.

Another Coleman Medal followed in 2011, he scored his 500th goal in 2012, and his third Coleman came in his first year with the Swans – a season many say ranks among his best. 

But despite his incredible success on the field, footy wasn’t all plain sailing for the 199cm, 102kg spearhead.

In 2015 he spoke publicly for the first time about his mental health battle after withdrawing from footy late that season to seek treatment.

‘It was a tough time for myself, leading into the finals I was really struggling and I put my hand up and said I needed help, I’m so glad I did it,’ he said.

The Swans spearhead get chaired off the ground after his 350th AFL game just a few weeks ago. Sadly, he never got to fulfil his dream of winning a flag with the club

‘I took some time away and it was the best decision I’ve made.’

The mark he leaves on the sport will be indelible. 

Any AFL highlights package would be incomplete without some vision of Buddy’s freakish play, like his incredible goal as he stormed down the wing at the MCG against Essendon in 2010. 

His name became a byword for excitement and it’s difficult to think of another footy star who did more to thrill fans of every club come game day. 

Franklin was asked how he’d like to be thought of in retirement just before playing his 350th game.

He replied, ‘As someone that had a crack … and just had fun.’

He’ll be remembered for far more than that.