Lance 'Buddy' Franklin retirement: Sydney and Hawthorn great hangs up boots after 18 AFL seasons

Sydney superstar Lance "Buddy" Franklin has announced his retirement from the AFL, effective immediately.

The news comes after Franklin suffered a calf injury in the Swans' win over Essendon on Saturday. 

With a return unlikely, the AFL great told his Sydney teammates that he'd be hanging up the boots on Monday. 

How many goals did Lance Franklin kick?

Franklin finishes his career on 354 games, with an incredible tally of 1066 goals — the fourth most all-time. 

A remarkable 580 of those majors came in nine seasons at Hawthorn, with the other 486 goals coming in the forward's time in the red and white. 

In March last year, Franklin achieved the unthinkable, booting his 1000th AFL goal in the defensive-minded modern era. 

Lance Franklin in AFL all-time goals scored list

John Longmire on Lance Franklin's retirement

Long-time Sydney Coach John Longmire spoke to the media about Franklin's retirement on Monday. 

A proud and nostalgic Longmire confirmed that It was the severity of his forward's calf injury that had helped him come to the decision.

"He rang me when I was sitting on the plane, he was pretty emotional, and devastated that could be the way it finished," the Swans coach began.

“I said just have a sleep on it and we’ll chat in the morning. I went to his place this morning, he had a good night’s sleep, he felt a lot better today but he’d made the decision, clearly.

"He said that last time he had a calf injury like that, it was in the same spot, he'd missed probably ten-twelve weeks of football.

“He wanted to come in and speak to his teammates, which he’s done, and he moves into the next phase of his life.”

Longmire coached Franklin for nine seasons at Sydney and came to know the generational player closely. 

"We're lucky to have experienced one of the all-time greats, and I feel really privileged to have coached him for a portion of his career," he said.

"I think we're all grateful for watching him."

Lance Franklin stats

Calling retirement after 18 seasons, Franklin has enjoyed a truly stellar career in the AFL. 

The AFL great notched averages of three goals, 5.4 marks, and 14.8 disposals per game, while winning over 62 per cent of his appearances. 

Franklin won two premierships with Hawthorn in 2008 and 2013, and was selected for the All-Australian team on eight occasions. 

The left-footed superstar also won four Coleman Medals as the AFL's leading goal-kicker in a season. 

MORE: Coleman Medal leaderboard 2023

Lance Franklin age

Franklin is 36 years old, which made him the AFL's oldest player this season.

Given the nature of the Swans forward's calf injury, it was unlikely he would return again in 2023. 

Having played 18 seasons, and 354 games, the superstar veteran sits 19th all-time in AFL/VFL appearances. 

Buddy Franklin's nine-year deal and move from Hawks

In 2013, Franklin was famously offered a nine-year contract believed to be worth $10 million. It was enough to entice the key forward from Hawthorn, who had just won its second AFL premiership in five years.

It was a mega-deal that few come close to matching — such was the star factor and talent of Buddy. 

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In his first year at Sydney, he played in a Grand Final against former side Hawthorn, kicking four goals in a disappointing loss. 

A similar story has played out for Franklin in recent years, with two more Grand Final losses coming in his time at Sydney, including last season to Geelong.

Buddy's Sydney career was far from a failure, however, with the classy forward leading the club's goal-kicking count on seven occasions and earning four All-Australian selections in red and white.