AFL legend Lance Franklin has informed his Sydney teammates of decision to retire, reports SEN’s Sam Edmund.
SEN’s Tom Morris also confirmed that Franklin has played his last game, with his retirement effective immediately after he injured his calf in Saturday’s win over Essendon.
“The Sydney players have been told today that Lance Franklin is retiring from AFL football after a magnificent career,” Edmund said on SEN’s Dwayne’s World.
“His final act was unfortunately being subbed out in that win over Essendon at Marvel Stadium at the weekend with a calf injury.
“He got scanned on Sunday and perhaps the injury is serious enough that he won’t get back this year.
“Nevertheless, the players have been told Lance Franklin is retiring and you’d expect the club to formalise that decision publicly shortly.”
Franklin steps away with 354 games to his name and 1066 goals, the fourth most in VFL/AFL history.
‘Buddy’ was drafted at pick No. 5 in the 2004 draft by Hawthorn, a club he made 182 appearances for, winning two premierships in 2008 and 2013.
Franklin moved to Sydney ahead of the 2014 season and he’d go on to play 172 games for the Swans.
The key forward retires with eight All-Australian blazers, four Coleman Medals, one Peter Crimmins Medal, six Hawthorn leading goal kicker awards and seven Sydney leading goal kicker awards.
Buddy has played his last game. The retirement is effective immediately. What a champion. @1116sen https://t.co/VViDWUduUz
— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) July 31, 2023