News LANCE Franklin, one of the greatest players in the history of the game, has announced his retirement, effectively immediately.

[_Mike_]

LANCE Franklin, one of the greatest players in the history of the game, has announced his retirement, effectively immediately.

The 36-year-old informed his teammates on Monday that his decorated career is over.

The news comes after he injured his calf in Saturday night's win over Essendon.


Franklin confirmed the news with an Instagram post alongside a photo of Alastair Clarkson and John Longmire, his two AFL coaches.


"What a journey. Thanks to everyone who has been on this crazy ride with me," he wrote.

Courtesy: ALF.com.au

 

[geelong_crazy26]

I can handle them fine.

But it is well known around these parts that you are a troll. And a rubbish one at that.

Jog on you peanut.

Nice little rant to prove my point again. Very sensitive. I will say it again… that goal is overrated. Buddy just found himself in a good position over the back against a slow opponent. He did well to finish it off under fatigue and a tough angle, but that’s about all.

 

[MadMaxx]

Buddy was in the top 3 forwards I have seen - note I'm not talking about midfielders etc.

1. Lockett
2. Dunstall
3. Franklin
4. Ablett Snr

I saw Wade and Hudson but only about twice.

A Legend of the game.

Three Hawk Players right there ;-)

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

Nice little rant to prove my point again. Very sensitive. I will say it again… that goal is overrated. Buddy just found himself in a good position over the back against a slow opponent. He did well to finish it off under fatigue and a tough angle, but that’s about all.

Ok troll.

 

[Bombermania]

Nice little rant to prove my point again. Very sensitive. I will say it again… that goal is overrated. Buddy just found himself in a good position over the back against a slow opponent. He did well to finish it off under fatigue and a tough angle, but that’s about all.

It might look overrated to you because Buddy made it look easy but the kick had a large margin of error and at the time, I thought he should have run another 10 metres to give himself a better angle but he didn't need it.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

It might look overrated to you because Buddy made it look easy but the kick had a large margin of error and at the time, I thought he should have run another 10 meters to give himself a better angle but he didn't need it.

it was a good goal.. but one of the best goals of all time?? Cmon.. I can think of many players in that exact position who could have run on to kick a goal

 

[HarryBeef]

I know others will disagree but if you line up every player drafted in the 21st century as an 18 year old, knowing the players they are going to become, I think Buddy would go pick 1 for the majority of people.

A truly fantastic player, and one who won more games off his own boot than I could ever begin to count. In his prime he was basically unstoppable and considering the era he played in he kicked a truly huge amount of goals. The other key forwards of this era are not even close in terms of their overall output.

Hard to argue with that.

 

[SSSSSS]

I know a lot gets made of his Hooker Running Goals.

But this one is one of my faves (Part of a Lazy 8 in a Qualifying final), and on Bwian Lake too...

It's crazy how much footy's changed in a few years let alone 15.

You will never see so much space inside 50 like that again. How many times are big key forwards allowed to play 1 on 1.

 

[Nikita Blue]

Going out an absolute champion with a magnificent career.

 

[RUNVS]

Going out an absolute champion with a magnificent career.

Buddy drinks and he knows things.

 

[MooreTreloar]

All the best in retirement Buddy. Thanks for what you’ve done for and given to the AFL.

you’ll leave a Buddy sized hole for quite sometime.

 

[Ricmel]

In my 20s I spent 10 years watching Lockett, Dunstall and Ablett. It is pretty hard to get excited by any player after that era but Franklin probably is closest to that trio - apologies to Lloyd and Modra.

Great career Buddy, enjoyed the show!

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

In times like these it pays to remind the newer members of Bigfooty that this site has been a brilliant judge of young talent.

Lance "Duddy" Franklin

Played for Box Hill today against the Burgers and had young Richmond player Dean Polo absolutley humiliate him. Franklin was eventually dragged after only 6 possessions and giving away 10 centimetres in height to Dean Polo who was BOG. Tigers find another talented young kid (watch out...

www.bigfooty.com

 

[Gravel]

1.066 goals in an era of ultra defensive gameplans.
I have always remembered Kevin Sheahan being interviewed in the lead up to the 2004 draft and he said there is a tall skinny athletic kid for WA that looks like he could be anything. Not all were listening as Buddy went pick 5 behind Deledio, Roughhead, Griffen and Tambling.

 

[greatwhiteshark]

1.066 goals in an era of ultra defensive gameplans.
I have always remembered Kevin Sheahan being interviewed in the lead up to the 2004 draft and he said there is a tall skinny athletic kid for WA that looks like he could be anything. Not all were listening as Buddy went pick 5 behind Deledio, Roughhead, Griffen and Tambling.

Always easy in hindsight, I remember reading somewhere that every single AFL club would of chosen Tambling if they had first pick. Always a bit of a lottery the draft.

 

[Captivating]

Thank gawd. I can finally sleep now. This guy has haunted my dreams for nearly 2 decades.

 

[Power Raid]

A great career and one which will be celebrated for generations

 

[RUNVS]

1.066 goals in an era of ultra defensive gameplans.
I have always remembered Kevin Sheahan being interviewed in the lead up to the 2004 draft and he said there is a tall skinny athletic kid for WA that looks like he could be anything. Not all were listening as Buddy went pick 5 behind Deledio, Roughhead, Griffen and Tambling.

Stuff like that makes you wonder why so many teams are determined to get pick 1. Pick 1 very very rarely ends up being the best player in their draft year.

Also quite amazing how long Buddy has been going as the 4 players you just listed have been gone from the game quite a while now.

 

[RUNVS]

A great career and one which will be celebrated for generations

The good thing is, unlike the players of the 80's we actually have every goal Buddy has ever kicked at an AFL level on camera. Weird statistic but Buddy is likely the player who has the most goals kicked in AFL/VFL history that were recorded.

 

[p4p1]

Here is Buddy and other KPF's drafted in the 21st century

1. Lance Franklin - 1066 goals
2. Jack Riewoldt - 782 goals
3. Tom Hawkins - 779 goals
4. Josh Kennedy - 723 goals
5. Nick Riewoldt - 718 goals
6. Jarryd Roughhead - 578 goals
7. Jeremy Cameron - 575 goals

He has over 250 goals more than his next closest contemporary.

36% more than his nearest competitor in an extra 10 games

 

[RUNVS]

36% more than his nearest competitor in an extra 10 games

Jack Riewoldt won't reach 800 goals and I suspect Hawkins will max out at around 850 goals. That is a huge difference between Buddy's 1066.

 

[QuietB]

I know others will disagree but if you line up every player drafted in the 21st century as an 18 year old, knowing the players they are going to become, I think Buddy would go pick 1 for the majority of people.

A truly fantastic player, and one who won more games off his own boot than I could ever begin to count. In his prime he was basically unstoppable and considering the era he played in he kicked a truly huge amount of goals. The other key forwards of this era are not even close in terms of their overall output.

I think that is a fair comment.

There are multiple mids you would be more than happy with - GAJ, Judd, Martin, maybe others. There are multiple defenders.

There is not one single forward even close to Buddy in his career.

Absolute freak. If he was better overhead he would have been the GOAT by so far it is ridiculous.

 

[Altum Volantes]

In times like these it pays to remind the newer members of Bigfooty that this site has been a brilliant judge of young talent.

Lance "Duddy" Franklin

Played for Box Hill today against the Burgers and had young Richmond player Dean Polo absolutley humiliate him. Franklin was eventually dragged after only 6 possessions and giving away 10 centimetres in height to Dean Polo who was BOG. Tigers find another talented young kid (watch out...

www.bigfooty.com

Jeez remember back then when everyone was a ‘Dud’, a ‘Crab’, a ‘Receiver’.

Kids today wouldn’t even understand it.

 

[QuietB]

This was arguably his best game. Almost every one of his 8 goals was incredible. He was on a level that very few others have ever played, on that night.

My favourite was the elimination final against Adelaide in 2007. That was Buddy's 55th game and he kicked 7 goals including the match winner

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

My favourite was the elimination final against Adelaide in 2007. That was Buddy's 55th game and he kicked 7 goals including the match winner

"lucky number 7"

 

[p4p1]

I think that is a fair comment.

There are multiple mids you would be more than happy with - GAJ, Judd, Martin, maybe others. There are multiple defenders.

There is not one single forward even close to Buddy in his career.

Absolute freak. If he was better overhead he would have been the GOAT by so far it is ridiculous.

I would also add that, if you already had a team full of superstar forwards, you could've thrown him on the ball and he still would have dominated IMO.