BYE BYE, BUDDY: Lance Franklin ends his glorious career
Superstar forward has played his final game of AFL football, 19 seasons after his first
www.afl.com.auI don’t have live tool access right now to fetch current updates, but I can share what’s publicly known about Lance Franklin up to the last widely reported events.
Core answer
- Lance “Buddy” Franklin is a retired AFL player who ended his elite career in 2023 after a long and storied run with Hawthorn and Sydney Swans. He later was reported to have retirement-related news around mid-2023, and he remains a prominent figure in AFL history due to his goal-kicking feats and influence on the game.
Context and notable highlights
- Career milestones: Franklin finished with 1066 AFL goals across 19 seasons, placing him among the all-time leading goalkickers. He is widely regarded as one of the game's greats, earning multiple All-Australian selections and two premierships (with Hawthorn in 2008 and 2013) and a long-standing reputation for elite athleticism and goal sense.[4][6]
- Retirement announcement: Reports from 2023 indicate he announced his retirement from AFL competition after calf injuries and ongoing fitness concerns, effectively ending his professional playing career at the top level.[2][3][4]
- Post-AFL activity: Since retirement, Franklin has remained a high-profile figure in Australian football media and events. There were reports of him engaging in ambassadorial roles and public appearances; there was also discussion of potential football-related activities, including a return to WA for a junior-level appearance in 2026 connected to a charitable effort (note: this was reported as a WA junior return venture in March 2026, but you should verify current status if you need the latest confirmation).[5]
If you want the absolute latest, I can search current news sources for any developments about Lance Franklin (e.g., new ventures, charity work, or any surprise appearances). Let me know and I’ll pull in the freshest updates with citations.