Emotional Buddy Franklin gets a thrilling farewell from SCG as he bids farewell to the AFL…as the Swans and Hawthorn champ enjoys a drink in the stands before breaking down in tears in front of the fans
- Buddy Franklin completed a lap of honor during halftime of the game against Demons
- The AFL legend retired effective immediately on July 31
- Franklin scored 1,066 goals in 354 appearances for Sydney and Hawthorn
Sydney fans gave Lance Franklin a smashing farewell as the retired powerhouse completed a lap of honor at half-time in the AFL’s match against Melbourne.
The loyal Swans cheered, clapped and waved passionately to pay tribute to Franklin as he walked around the SCG border with his wife Jesinta and their two children on Sunday.
In the first half, the great Swans and Hawthorn were spotted having drinks in the stands alongside fellow Sydney legend Michael O’Loughlin, as well as former Wallabies Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell.
Swans recently retired defender Paddy McCartin and former Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson were also in attendance.
“Pretty blown away,” Franklin said when asked how he felt about the raucous response from a packed room at the SCG.
Buddy Franklin was honored with the SCG when he retired from the AFL after 19 years
The great Hawthorn and Swans was joined on the field by his wife Jesinta and his two children
Franklin was visibly emotional as he completed a lap of honor for the Swans fans
Speaking to his former Hawthorn teammate Shaun Burgoyne on Channel 7, the AFL great added: ‘Good luck, a little sadness, but it’s all come to an end.
“I am incredibly honored to have played this amazing game for 19 years. A little overwhelmed.
“It takes a lot of hard work. It’s been a long time since we played football. It’s incredible to be here today and see our fans.
‘Coming from the bush in Western Australia, I probably never thought this was possible. I’m incredibly proud to be playing for 19 years at two great clubs.’
When asked what he would miss most in retirement, Franklin replied, “Probably the locker room banter, those day-to-day things.”
“That’s what I’m going to miss the most. Compete, be here. Playing football, I’m going to miss that.
“I feel very blessed to have played this great game for so long.
“I met some great people on my trip and it was an incredible turnout today, so thank you all.”
In the first half, Franklin (right) was spotted enjoying a drink in the stands with fellow Sydney legend Michael O’Loughlin, as well as former Wallabies Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell.
A packed house at the SCG waved goodbye to Franklin, who played ten seasons for the Swans
Franklin stepped back into the public eye for the first time since announcing his retirement with immediate effect on 31 July, after suffering a calf injury against Essendon two days earlier.
The former Sydney and Hawthorn forward did not attend the press conference confirming his retirement, with Swans coach John Longmire and CEO Tom Harley coming forward to honor him.
But fans jumped at the chance to show Franklin their appreciation for a remarkable career that spanned 172 games in 10 seasons with the Swans, after 182 games for Hawthorn.
Spectators could also write messages of thanks to their retreating hero on a wall outside the Swans’ headquarters, a short walk from their home base.
Franklin said he felt “overwhelmed” by the tributes he received from the public on Sunday
The AFL legend admitted part of him was sad when he walked away from footy after 354 games
After making his debut in 2005, Franklin scored 1,066 goals in 354 games to rank fourth on the list of all-time best VFL/AFL goal kickers.
The spearhead created wild scenes at the SCG last season as he became just the sixth player to score 1,000 VFL/AFL goals.
Franklin won two premierships at Hawthorn before moving to Sydney on a breakthrough nine-year contract.
The 36-year-old is an eight-time All-Australian and four-time Coleman Medal winner.