Analysis Where does Buddy Franklin rank amongst the greats?

[Aristotle Pickett]

Where does Buddy rank all time?

Years	Club	Games (Goals)
2005–2013	Hawthorn	182 (580)
2014–	Sydney	136 (415)
Total		318 (995)

Height	199 cm (6 ft 6 in)
Weight	107 kg (236 lb)

• 2× AFL premiership player: 2008, 2013
• 8× All-Australian team: 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 (c)
• 4× Coleman Medal: 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017
• Peter Crimmins Medal: 2008
• 6× Hawthorn leading goalkicker: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
• 6× Sydney leading goalkicker: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021
• 3× Brett Kirk
  Brett Kirk

  Age

  47

  Ht

  184cm

  Wt

  80kg

  Pos.

  Mid

  Career

  Season

  Last 5

  D

  18.5

  5star

  K

  8.9

  3star

  HB

  9.6

  5star

  M

  2.7

  3star

  T

  5.3

  5star

  CL

  2.4

  4star

  No current season stats available

  D

  16.8

  4star

  K

  13.0

  5star

  HB

  3.8

  3star

  M

  3.6

  4star

  T

  2.2

  4star

  Medal: 2017 (game 2), 2018 (game 2), 2021 (game 1)
• 2× AFL Goal of the Year: 2010, 2013
• AFL Rising Star nominee: 2005

 

[t0mmO]

I reckon he can make a case for best forward of all time.

He won't be outright #1 for career goals, but he's closing in on 1000 in an era where even 700 career goals would see a player easily classed as among the best of their generation.

He is, statistically at least, a level above every single other forward of this era. That level of dominance over their peers deserves serious respect and a considered discussion about GOAT beyond the tiring "yeah but xxx forward kicked more than him 30 years ago".

His Hawthorn career is good enough for #5 all time goal kicking for the Hawks and #38 all time for the AFL/VFL, and his Sydney career is good enough for #7 all time goal kicking for the Swans and #99 all time for the AFL/VFL.

He's had two careers that are competitive against the very best of his peers in the AFL.

 

[Aristotle Pickett]

I reckon he can make a case for best forward of all time.

He won't be outright #1 for career goals, but he's closing in on 1000 in an era where even 700 career goals would see a player easily classed as among the best of their generation.

He is, statistically at least, a level above every single other forward of this era. That level of dominance over their peers deserves serious respect and a considered discussion about GOAT beyond the tiring "yeah but xxx forward kicked more than him 30 years ago".

His Hawthorn career is good enough for #5 all time goal kicking for the Hawks and #38 all time for the AFL/VFL, and his Sydney career is good enough for #7 all time goal kicking for the Swans and #99 all time for the AFL/VFL.

He's had two careers that are competitive against the very best of his peers in the AFL.

Is he in the same group as Ablett snr, Lockett and Carey, or just behind?
Kicking nearly 1000 goals in this era, like you say, would say he is.
He is probably the longest kicker in the game ever.
His amount of goals outside 50 must be high.
He was also agile at ground level.
Not known for high marking, more of a lead up player and loose ball getter with supreme strength and skill.

 

[Post padding]

By far the best forward of his era.

Don’t need to compare era’s.

The games so different.

 

[HairyO]

Hawthorn's 4th best forward ever.

The 3rd or 4th best player of the last 20 years.

The best forward of the last 20 years.

 

[pulpdriver]

Hawthorn's 4th best forward ever.

The 3rd or 4th best player of the last 20 years.

The best forward of the last 20 years.

Is the top 3 Dunstall, Brereton and Hudson?

 

[HairyO]

Is the top 3 Dunstall, Brereton and Hudson?

Hudson
Dunstall
Matthews

Matthews is our best player, best mid and 3rd best forward.

I would put Buddy ahead of Brereton.

Gladys Moncrieff vs Brereton is an interesting one. Gladys for pure goal kicking, Brereton for around the ground impact.

 

[La Dispute]

Is the top 3 Dunstall, Brereton and Hudson?

O’Brien, Boyle, Barker

 

[Aristotle Pickett]

Hudson
Dunstall
Matthews

Matthews is our best player, best mid and 3rd best forward.

I would put Buddy ahead of Brereton.

Buddy is ahead of Dunstall and Hudson in my book.

 

[pulpdriver]

Hudson
Dunstall
Matthews

Matthews is our best player, best mid and 3rd best forward.

I would put Buddy ahead of Brereton.

I thought of Matthews but then he's pretty much regarded as a mid now so assumed it was Brereton. I was ready to say I'd put Buddy ahead of Brereton.

 

[Aristotle Pickett]

I thought of Matthews but then he's pretty much regarded as a mid now so assumed it was Brereton. I was ready to say I'd put Buddy ahead of Brereton.

If Brereton played full forward he would kicked as many as Dunstall imo.

 

[HairyO]

I thought of Matthews but then he's pretty much regarded as a mid now so assumed it was Brereton. I was ready to say I'd put Buddy ahead of Brereton.

Matthews kicked over 900 goals. Anyone who thinks of him as just a mid didnt see him play. He wasnt just rested in the forward pocket, he played full forward out of the goal square.

 

[pulpdriver]

Matthews kicked over 900 goals. Anyone who thinks of him as just a mid didnt see him play. He wasnt just rested in the forward pocket, he played full forward out of the goal square.

I didn't. I know of him purely through reputation, highlights and stats. He was before my time.

 

[Aristotle Pickett]

Eight goals on Brian Lake

Brian Lake

Age

42

Ht

195cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.7

4star

K

9.4

4star

HB

5.3

4star

M

6.5

5star

T

1.6

4star

MG

163.0

3star

No current season stats available

D

4.6

1star

K

2.6

1star

HB

2.0

2star

M

1.0

1star

T

0.6

3star

in a final, 7 of them great goals.

 

[Turnover]

Lockett, Ablett, Carey, Dunstall, Franklin, Lloyd. In the mix

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

Eight goals on Brian Lake

Brian Lake

Age

42

Ht

195cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.7

4star

K

9.4

4star

HB

5.3

4star

M

6.5

5star

T

1.6

4star

MG

163.0

3star

No current season stats available

D

4.6

1star

K

2.6

1star

HB

2.0

2star

M

1.0

1star

T

0.6

3star

in a final, 7 of them great goals.

A joy to watch.

He is all time, such a special player. I never thought he would see out his contract at Sydney, his longevity is incredible

Sent from my SM-G781B using Tapatalk

 

[The 747]

Trying to put a number on it is difficult as it is very subjective. He is up there with the greatest to have played the game IMO, but he is not the best forward or player that I have seen.

 

[The 747]

Lockett, Ablett, Carey, Dunstall, Franklin, Lloyd. In the mix

One of these is not like the others.

 

[HairyO]

One of these is not like the others.

Hudson in, Lloyd out.

 

[Turnover]

One of these is not like the others.

Let me guess?? Umm. I’m not going bother. Ok. Lloyd was a star, Franklin better. I eagerly await you to tell me otherwise.

 

[Turnover]

Hudson in, Lloyd out.

Both. Add Coleman aswell.

 

[Blackhawk42]

Is the top 3 Dunstall, Brereton and Hudson?

Dunstall, Roughead, Dylan Moore.

 

[The 747]

Let me guess?? Umm. I’m not going bother. Ok. Lloyd was a star, Franklin better. I eagerly await you to tell me otherwise.

Lloyd was a fantastic player and he is underrated IMO. But he isn't up with Lockett, Ablett, Carey, Dunstall.

 

[HairyO]

Both. Add Coleman aswell.

Hard to include players who played before anyone was born. Certainly cant rank them.

 

[Turnover]

Lloyd was a fantastic player and he is underrated IMO. But he isn't up with Lockett, Ablett, Carey, Dunstall.

Understand, the question is how close and how many in between. Anyway can’t be bothered but good to reminisce. Most talented and brilliant to watch category I’d say ablett and Franklin on a par (Coleman and Hudson) from reports.