AFL Grand Final 2022: Buddy Franklin’s wife Jesinta plays with their children

Footy WAG Jesinta Franklin was all smiles on Thursday as she enjoyed some downtime with her kids ahead of a packed AFL Grand Final weekend.

The 31-year-old, who is married to Sydney Swans star Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin, took a stroll along Melbourne’s Southbank with the couple’s two children, Tullulah, two, and Rocky, 18 months.

At one point, the Franklins stopped on a lawn to say hello to a group of passing dogs.

Jesinta looked classy and sophisticated in a beige suit over a black long-sleeved top.

She wore her long dark brown hair loosely behind her ears.

The model was wearing a black leather handbag and tortoiseshell sunglasses.

Her shoes, a rare pair of Nike Air Jordan 1s that resell for up to $620, stood out for shades of blue beneath her neutral-colored suit.

Her children both wore matching red and white Nike shoes in support of their father, a key figure for the Sydney Swans.

The trio later joined a friend for a walk along the boardwalk. Jesinta occasionally carried Tullulah and Rocky, though most of the time they walked unaided.

Jesinta was also seen kissing her son.

Buddy shocked fans on Monday when the Swans appeared to confirm he will remain at the club next year, with a succinct statement that read: ‘One more #Bloods.’

Hours later, Jesinta posted on Instagram, she had a ‘big work week ahead of her’ as she flew from Sydney to Melbourne for the grand finale.

Melbourne reached. A great week for work, fun, conferences, family time…. Oh, and a Grand Final,” the mother of two wrote as she posed at Melbourne Airport.

It comes as the Swans celebrate an unexpected boost in the run-up to the Grand Final after Franklin announced he will remain with the club in 2023.

Franklin’s nine-year $10 million deal with the Swans expires at the end of the season and the 35-year-old’s future has long been the subject of speculation.

However, the two-time premiership winner himself put an end to the rumors on Monday night with a succinct two-word statement that simply read: “One more.”

The bombshell came after months of speculation suggesting Franklin could retire or end his nine-year stint in Sydney to play for another club.

At the beginning of last month, the Herald Sun reported that the Swans felt they were “close” to agreeing a 12-month extension with the AFL superstar and were “surprised” by reports that Franklin was linked with a move.

The four-time Coleman medalist continued to ponder his future after the Swans submitted a bid of $500,000 per year, a significant cut from Franklin’s current deal, which is reportedly in the region of $800,000 per season.

Franklin’s announcement Monday night echoed the message basketball legend Michael Jordan sent when he returned to the Chicago Bulls in 1995, simply proclaiming, “I’m back.”

However, the words “One more” confused some fans as they tried to figure out exactly what these words were referring to.

Some supporters were unsure whether this meant Franklin would go on for another season, or just one more game, meaning he would retire after Saturday’s grand final.

‘Mysterious. Another GAME, another YEAR, another DECADE,” Natalie Gee tweeted.

‘Another game or another year? He looks so invested in this group and club. And still plays well. But wouldn’t it be great to leave the big stage with another Eredivisie?’ wrote Florian Christoph.

Others were more blunt and wrote ‘Game, season or flag?!?’ and ‘ONE MORE GAME OR MORE YEARS’ – with another joke, ‘Great that he signed for another decade! Bold move by the Swans.’

Franklin will play in his sixth Grand Final when the Swans face Geelong on Saturday.