Buddy Franklin opens up about what he and wife Jesinta think about being called Australia’s Posh and Becks – and whether he would go into TV after retiring from footy
- AFL great didn’t like comparisons to Victoria and David Beckham
- Hawthorn and Sydney Swans football legend has married model Jesinta
- Couple have two children and live a quiet family life on the Gold Coast
AFL legend Buddy Franklin has opened up about being called Australia’s answer to Posh and Becks with his wife Jesinta, and whether he would consider a career in reality TV now that he’s retired.
Franklin, 37, retired from the Swans last season after a phenomenal career.
He scored 1,066 goals, which ranks fourth on the AFL’s all-time list, and won the championship twice with Hawthorn in 2008 and 2013.
The key forward scored his 1000th goal against in March last year, sparking euphoric scenes at the SCG during a match against Geelong.
When asked on Channel Seven’s Sunrise if he would consider the idea of taking part in a reality TV show like Victoria Beckham and her footballer husband David, Franklin’s answer was a resounding no.
“As a family, we’re very private and we like to keep to ourselves,” he told veteran sportscaster Mark Beretta on Friday.
“I wouldn’t say we look like Posh and Becks either.”
Franklin went on to say that he is enjoying life on the Gold Coast as a stay-at-home dad to his son Rocky and daughter Tallulah, but admitted that the lack of routine football has taken some getting used to.
AFL legend Buddy Franklin has spoken candidly about being called Australia’s answer to Posh and Becks and whether he’d consider a career in reality TV now that he’s retired from football
Franklin, 37, retired from AFL footy last season after a successful career with Hawthorn and the Sydney Swans (pictured with wife Jesinta and their children Tallulah and Rocky at his farewell at the SCG)
He kicked 1066 goals – fourth on the AFL’s all-time list – and won two championships with Hawthorn in 2008 and 2013 before leaving for the Swans in 2014
Meanwhile, Franklin has announced that he wants to return to the AFL in some form, 11 months after retiring from football.
He admitted that his competitive streak is what draws him back to the sport.
“Football is the only thing I’ve played in almost 20 years,” Franklin said News Corp.
‘There’s no doubt that I’ll be back at some point, but it’s a nice situation to be out of football for a year, take a deep breath and spend time with my family.
“But there’s no doubt that I’ll be back in the game at some point.”
The former goalscorer remained coy when speaking about the implications of his return.
“I’m not sure, but that’s something I’m going to think about, talk to the right people about, and figure out exactly what I want to do. Because if I’m involved at any level, I’m going to go all in,” Franklin said.
In 2024, the Swans have adapted remarkably well to life without Franklin, sitting atop the AFL rankings, having lost just two games this season.