Lance Franklin
AFL Briefing
AFL 2023
Star Cat headbutted while watching cricket; Clarkson all smiles at training
Jeremy Cameron was headbutted in an attack in a Geelong hotel after last week’s game against Fremantle. Meanwhile, it was back to business as usual at North Melbourne on Wednesday with coach Alastair Clarkson overseeing training.
- by Peter Ryan and Andrew Wu
Latest
Opinion
Matildas
In a week of seismic sport, the Matildas made the earth move the most
The Ashes, Buddy Franklin and Australia’s swimmers captured the headlines this week, but none could match the significance of a sublime Matildas performance.
- by Peter FitzSimons
Opinion
AFL 2023
‘He’s very shy and very humble’: Lance Franklin retires as the superstar few people really know
Lance Franklin has retired with much adoration for his football talents and love for the way he has matured off the field, but those who know him best know he values privacy more than most.
- by Peter Ryan
An ‘automatic Legend’: Buddy’s fellow greats marvel at the one-of-a-kind forward
Lance Franklin’s peers, and the greats before him – from Wayne Carey to Dermott Brereton – believe the superstar forward will be recognised as an AFL Legend as soon as he is eligible.
- by Marc McGowan
Analysis
AFL 2023
Revolution: How Buddy Franklin changed the AFL
In his 2004 draft interview Lance Franklin was asked what he’d change about himself. His answer revealed everything about the kid who would revolutionise footy.
- by Jake Niall
‘Emotional and devastated’: The phone call that sealed Franklin’s retirement
Alastair Clarkson said Buddy Franklin is “an icon of the game” who had set a current-day watermark that, he believes, will be unsurpassed.
- by Jon Pierik, Marc McGowan, Jake Niall and Michael Gleeson
Analysis
AFL 2023
Ten of the best: The most magical moments of Lance Franklin’s AFL career
Lance Franklin lit up many games in his glittering AFL career. As he retires, it’s time to look back at the 10 performances that proved his greatness.
- by Jon Pierik
Analysis
AFL 2023
Money couldn’t buy what Buddy Franklin gave the Swans – and Sydney
The Swans were already becoming cool when Lance Franklin landed in 2014. But his brilliance took them and the code to a new level in foreign territory.
- by Vince Rugari
Updated
AFL 2022
Buddy’s brilliance: How a player with natural flaws became an AFL giant
Some have described Lance Franklin as not a true full-forward, others have said he can’t kick on his right boot, but none of this has stopped the Swans star from writing himself into the history books.
- by Andrew Wu
Analysis
AFL 2023
Like David Warner, Buddy Franklin finds it hard to say goodbye
Is it the end? Probably. Maybe. But this was not the way to farewell Lance Franklin in Melbourne, and possibly from the game. Plus: Harrison gives Demons a Petty obvious plan going forward, Carlton’s charge continues, and Port’s head-knock head-scratcher.
- by Michael Gleeson
Surgery means Fritsch out until finals; Franklin to play this week
Melbourne will be without forward Bayley Fristch until the finals after he had surgery on his fractured foot with the injury expected to sideline him for the next seven to eight weeks.
- by Peter Ryan