Past #23 Buddy Franklin - Thanks Buddy

[Kennedy Parker]

Lance Franklin
Lance Franklin is a giant of the game. The star Sydney Swans forward has played 300 AFL games, won two premierships with Hawthorn, is the seventh-greatest goal-kicker in VFL/AFL history, is one of just five men with eight All Australian blazers and is the most recent player to have kicked 100 goals in a season. The Western Australian is also one of just two players in the game’s history, along with former Swan and Saint Tony Lockett

Tony Lockett

Age

58

Ht

191cm

Wt

108kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.2

3star

K

8.4

3star

HB

1.8

2star

M

6.3

5star

T

0.5

3star

G

4.8

5star

No current season stats available

D

8.2

2star

K

5.6

3star

HB

2.6

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

0.0

1star

G

1.4

5star

, to have booted 300 goals for two clubs. Franklin was added to a leadership group for the first time in his career ahead of season 2020, joining co-captains Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker

26

Luke Parker

Age

31

Ht

183cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

24.2

5star

K

12.6

5star

HB

11.6

5star

M

3.8

4star

T

5.6

5star

CL

5.8

5star

D

22.1

5star

K

12.3

5star

HB

9.9

5star

M

3.9

4star

T

5.0

5star

CL

5.5

5star

D

21.2

5star

K

11.4

4star

HB

9.8

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

8.0

5star

CL

5.2

5star

and Dane Rampe

24

Dane Rampe

Age

33

Ht

187cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.0

4star

K

10.6

4star

HB

6.4

4star

M

4.9

5star

T

2.5

4star

MG

358.8

5star

D

14.1

3star

K

9.0

4star

HB

5.1

3star

M

3.4

3star

T

1.5

2star

MG

284.5

4star

D

10.6

3star

K

7.2

3star

HB

3.4

3star

M

2.4

3star

T

1.4

4star

, as well as Callum Mills

14

Callum Mills

Age

27

Ht

188cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.2

5star

K

10.8

4star

HB

7.4

5star

M

5.3

5star

T

2.6

4star

CL

0.6

3star

D

18.4

4star

K

11.5

4star

HB

6.9

4star

M

5.4

5star

T

3.4

4star

CL

1.4

4star

D

17.0

5star

K

9.4

4star

HB

7.6

5star

M

4.4

4star

T

2.8

5star

CL

1.2

4star

. But the 33-year-old, who was named captain of the 2018 All Australian team, has long been considered an exceptional unofficial leader, so great is his impact on Will Hayward

9

Will Hayward

Age

25

Ht

186cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.6

3star

K

6.6

3star

HB

4.0

3star

M

3.4

3star

T

2.8

4star

G

1.1

4star

D

9.0

2star

K

4.3

2star

HB

4.7

3star

M

2.7

3star

T

2.7

4star

G

0.7

4star

D

9.4

3star

K

6.2

3star

HB

3.2

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

3.4

5star

G

1.4

5star

, Nick Blakey

22

Nick Blakey

Age

24

Ht

196cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.9

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

2.9

3star

M

2.3

2star

T

2.4

4star

MG

189.1

3star

D

8.1

2star

K

6.3

3star

HB

1.9

1star

M

2.1

2star

T

2.6

4star

MG

189.1

3star

D

7.2

2star

K

5.2

2star

HB

2.0

2star

M

1.2

2star

T

1.2

3star

, Ben Ronke

25

Ben Ronke

Age

26

Ht

183cm

Wt

80kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.5

3star

K

7.5

3star

HB

4.0

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

3.2

5star

G

1.0

4star

D

9.7

2star

K

6.3

3star

HB

3.3

2star

M

2.0

2star

T

3.7

4star

G

0.0

1star

D

13.2

4star

K

9.8

4star

HB

3.4

3star

M

2.4

3star

T

5.2

5star

G

2.4

5star

and the rest of Sydney’s young forwards.

Lance Franklin
DOB: 30 January 1987
DEBUT: 2005
DRAFT: #5, 2004 National Draft
RECRUITED FROM: Dowerin (WA)/Perth (WAFL)/Hawthorn

Lance Franklin | AFL

Follow Lance Franklin's progress through AFL

www.sydneyswans.com.au

 

[Tigerforlife78]

After watching that. Any concerns about dryg use or any other rubbish can be put to bed. You could tell he was very genuine, and had trouble talking about his mental health.

Glad to see him doing well.

Welcome back lance buddy franklin

As a man who has had struggles with depression and ptsd since leaving the army i personally found it great to see big bud on TV saying he was struggling and put his hand up for help in a no shame, strong and positive manner. Have not all ways been his biggest fan but that softened me up a fair bit, great to see and im proud of him for how he handled it.

 

[Borough Blood]

Good to keep the Mumford spirit alive, if only through hair.

 

[philreich]

The competition needs its superstars fit and firing - when I heard the news that Buddy's troubles seem to be behind him, it put a big smile on my face. Hopefully the big fella can get back to his best in 2016: it'll be a far better competition with him playing his part.

 

[Krazy Kris]

The competition needs its superstars fit and firing - when I heard the news that Buddy's troubles seem to be behind him, it put a big smile on my face. Hopefully the big fella can get back to his best in 2016: it'll be a far better competition with him playing his part.

So much this.

Was uplifted to hear that he's past the worst and ready to terrorise some AFL defences.

 

[Tuco]

Just so pleased to see him coming through all this. Sounds like he's picked up some tools that might really help him going forward as well.

I thought it was telling that he took the time to encourage others suffering to seek help in that interview as well. Quality bloke. Makes anyone out there spreading lies to the contrary just look so bitter and twisted.

 

[Sanecow]

Read the article in today's papers. Basically, he got a haircut.

 

[Tuco]

Read the article in today's papers. Basically, he got a haircut.

Read the article. Reminded me I needed a haircut.

 

[JoondalupJ]

Welcome back to football Lance Buddy Franklin. Go well young man, remember the world IS NOT on your shoulders and you can't carry it by yourself , just enjoy the game , and only kick a couple of goals when you play us.

Goes without saying how we feel about you mate.

Sincerely, have a great year, and lots more to come playing this great game.

Glad your well.

 

[base615]

Indeed. Welcome back and hope you stay in a good place.

That said, get a haircut FFS.

 

[Lakeside Swan]

Sounds like he's picked up some tools that might really help him going forward as well.

Not sure a curling wand will be that beneficial.

 

[Tuco]

Not sure a curling wand will be that beneficial.

Reminded me of this:

 

[WWSD]

Glad to see the big fella back in action now and back training for the Swans after his mental health issues. Looking forward to seeing him out there on the footy field in 2016 kicking goals.

 

[kickthething]

I actually think he looks to be in pretty good knick. Great to see him back and happy....

 

[BloodRet]

Read the article in today's papers. Basically, he got a haircut.

Doesn't look like he got a hair cut at all. Just looks like he has grown it out and made curls from it.

 

[sataris]

It's interesting that we all hold buddy in such a high regard, that his 8 goal game doesn't even get it's own thread.

As if this is something that is par for the course for him.

Of course he kicked 8, he's buddy.

But seriously, what a ******* great effort.

Bravo.

 

[The Gong]

It's interesting that we all hold buddy in such a high regard, that his 8 goal game doesn't even get it's own thread.

As if this is something that is par for the course for him.

Of course he kicked 8, he's buddy.

But seriously, what a ******* great effort.

Bravo.

Should've kicked 10. Let himself and the team down.

Honestly the guy is a freak. When Sinclair gave him that handball on half way and he started bolting forward and winding up for the kick I just knew deep down in my bones that he was going to kick it. In a loud voice I bellowed "Freak!" for all in my household to hear.

I just keep shaking my head when Weagles fans try and say that Kennedy is a better key forward like the Coleman is the be all and end all. Kennedy is a beautiful lead up mark and kick forward, no denying that, but Buddy does stuff Kennedy can only dream about. There's only one player out of those two that is talked about as potentially the greatest player of his generation.

If our mids gave him the sort of delivery he got yesterday on a regular basis he'd be kicking bags every game but unfortunately not all teams give your midfield the space the Lions gave us yesterday. They're usually under the pump so they kick and pray but they actually lowered the eyes yesterday and took smart options into the forward 50 and that's the result you get.

P.S. Bud works his arse off both ways and this is often overlooked for the freakish goals he kicks. His field kicking itself is fantastic.

 

[Dan87]

will get to a 1,000 in 2019 with likely 3 and a bit years to go

fingers crossed

 

[Power Raid]

800 is a remarkable achievement. Whatever he achieves from here is just a bonus.

He's the best Chf the game has seen based on goals, general play, the pressure of the modern game, longevity and being a team player.

 

[Dan87]

800 is a remarkable achievement. Whatever he achieves from here is just a bonus.

He's the best Chf the game has seen based on goals, general play, the pressure of the modern game, longevity and being a team player.

and he's on a bargain contract

 

[The Gong]

and he's on a bargain contract

We need to get the most out of him on this contract before we have to negotiate a new deal. His value with be through the ceiling by then.

 

[ashep]

Surprised he's only done it 10 times to be honest.

How's that for taking him for granted!

 

[Donza]

In this day and age its rare.
He is the most exciting player i've seen , both for the hawks and the swans .
Plugger , Dunstall , Lloyd etc may have more.... but , IMO, they pale.

 

[GotTheGoodes]

In this day and age its rare.
He is the most exciting player i've seen , both for the hawks and the swans .
Plugger , Dunstall , Lloyd etc may have more.... but , IMO, they pale.

Whoa whoa whoa.... did you watch Plugger??!

I get what you are saying though & it is your opinion after all... yeah, Bud has that "flashiness" about him that an Ablett or Carey had.

But thus far I have yet to see (& suspect I'll never see) a player who can single handedly control/dominate a game like Plugger could. He put the fear of fear itself into the opposition & could kick them from anywhere just about. His numbers should speak volumes of his dominance. He put it together week after week. Year after year. In crap sides for the most part that he carried. Buddy hasn't really had that for long periods of his career. Those "down" years he's struggled (e.g. 2009) to get anything close to his best. Plugger just kept producing year after year no matter the team around him.

But each to their own. We're so lucky to have had both. Buddy is certainly one of the all time greats. Best of a generation.

 

[Dan87]

Plugger did what every man could, just better

Buddy has done it his own way, like no one beofre, that's the exciting part

 

[GotTheGoodes]

Plugger did what every man could, just better

Buddy has done it his own way, like no one beofre, that's the exciting part

Yeah, he's certainly unique but so was Plugger IMO.

Noone has done (or will do) what he did. Far from things "any man could"... Not too many monster games & bags of goals like Plugger could. To do it so often on such a regular basis though puts him above every foward I've ever seen.

Both are amazing & not really comparable due to different game/era etc. I just rate Plugger more at this stage. Bud still has time to change my mind though (that's also the exciting part!).