Lance Franklin

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Lance Franklin

Lance Franklin, Round 3 2012 vs Adelaide
Personal information
Full nameLance Franklin
Nickname(s)Buddy
Date of birth (1987-01-30) 30 January 1987
Place of birthPerth, Western Australia
Original teamPerth (WAFL)
DraftNo. 5, 2004 National Draft, Hawthorn
Height/Weight196 cm / 103 kg
Position(s)Forward
Club information
Current clubSydney
Number23
Playing career1
YearsClubGames (Goals)
2005–2013
2014–		Hawthorn
Sydney
Total		182 (580)
000 00(0)
182 (580)
Representative team honours
YearsTeamGames (Goals)
2008Dream Team1 (4)
International team honours
2013Australia1 (1)
1 Playing statistics correct to end of 2013 season.
Career highlights

Lance Franklin, also commonly known as Buddy Franklin (born 30 January 1987), is a professional Australian rules footballer. His ancestry includes Indigenous Australian.[3][4] A centre half-forward, Franklin plays for the Sydney Swans in the Australian Football League (AFL). He played for the Hawthorn Football Club for 9 seasons between 2005 and 2013.

Early life

Lance Franklin was born in Perth to parents Ursula and Lance Franklin. Sport runs through the family: Franklin's father represented his state in field hockey;[5] and his older sister, Bianca Giteau, plays in the ANZ Championship for the Adelaide Thunderbirds.

He is also related to a number of other past and present AFL players. His mother Ursula (née Kickett) is the aunt of former Fremantle defender Dale Kickett and cousin of Essendon and Sydney star Derek Kickett.[6] Another of Lance's cousins, Jeff Garlett, plays for the Carlton Football Club.[7]

Franklin has Indigenous Australian heritage through his mother, which he continues to acknowledge with a tattoo of the tribal elder who gave him the name "Buddy" and Aboriginal artwork of a kangaroo on his arm and participating in indigenous youth programs.

Franklin moved to Dowerin, Western Australia at an early age and attended Dowerin District High School from Years 1 to 10 and later attended Wesley College under scholarship.[8] He played one senior game for the Perth Football Club in 2004, kicking one goal,[9] and represented Western Australia at the AFL National Under 18 Championships.

Career

2005: AFL debut

After attending draft camp and showing promise, Hawthorn selected Franklin with their second pick, number five overall, in the 2004 AFL Draft. During his 9 July 2012 interview for On The Couch Franklin admitted that his 'free spirit' probably scared a few clubs away from selecting him that year. Debuting in Round 1 of the 2005 season, he had a strong presence up forward and played 20 out of 22 games, contributing 27 goals.

2006

After injuring an ankle and a hand early in the 2006 season, Franklin returned through the Victorian Football League for his first AFL game of the season in Round 9 against Sydney. In Round 12, he kicked six goals against Richmond.

On 13 July 2006 he signed a new two year deal with Hawthorn after being linked with clubs such as Essendon, West Coast and Fremantle. Another six goal game late in the season prompted predictions of Franklin to be the next big name forward in the AFL.[8]

2007: Breakthrough year

Franklin in Round 18 in 2007 against Essendon. In Round 6 of the same year, he kicked nine goals against the Bombers, in which the Hawks won by 63 points[2]

In the 2007 season Franklin finished the home and away season with 63 goals, putting him third in the Coleman Medal tally behind runner up Matthew Pavlich of Fremantle and the eventual winner, Jonathan Brown of Brisbane. Franklin's tally included nine goals in Hawthorn's win against Essendon in Round 6. However, in Round 21 against the Western Bulldogs, he kicked 11 behinds with his two goals. Only Jack Titus and St Kilda's Dave McNamara have kicked more behinds in a game without managing more than two goals. However, despite Franklin's inaccuracy, Hawthorn still won the match. In the 1st Elimination Final of 2007, the Hawks mounted a big comeback in the second half against Adelaide. Franklin was instrumental in the win, kicking seven goals on his finals' debut, including the winning goal from outside 50 metres with seven seconds left.[10][11][12][13] Hawthorn were eliminated out of the Finals the following week by North Melbourne.

Franklin finished the season with nine and seven goal games (the latter against Adelaide in the 1st Elimination Final), as well as four games with five goals or more. He came equal third in the club's best and fairest award and was the leading goalkicker for Hawthorn.[14]

2008: Coleman Medallist and first premiership

Buddy brought up his first ton in 2008, becoming the first person to kick 100 goals in a season in a decade[1]

2008 saw Franklin establish himself as one of the elite players in the competition and became the winner of the Coleman Medal with 102 goals in the home-and-away season. His season-high of nine goals came against Essendon in Round 11.[15] He also played for the Dream Team, kicking four goals in the AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match.

Franklin kicked his 100th goal for the home and away season against Carlton in Round 22, becoming the first to kick 100 goals in the AFL home and away season since Tony Lockett in 1998 and the first Hawthorn player since Jason Dunstall in 1996, to reach 100 goals in a season. Upon reaching the milestone, several thousand supporters stormed the field and formed a large huddle around Franklin who was shortly ushered off the field into the change rooms until the ground had cleared. Prior to the match, the AFL had warned of a $6000 fine for every person who jumped the fence.[16] He also was the first Aboriginal player to achieve this.[17] He then added to that by kicking another eight goals in a qualifying final against the Western Bulldogs, tying with Dermot Brereton for the most goals kicked by a Hawthorn player in a finals match. He kicked just one goal against St. Kilda in the preliminary final, before Hawthorn went on to win the Grand Final and the premiership. Although Franklin did not play a large part in the Grand Final, his two goals brought the season's total up to 113 goals. He then received the Peter Crimmins Medal (Hawthorn's best and fairest award) a week later for his consistent and high-level season.[18]

“ Franklin’s a physical freak. He’s probably the player I most enjoy going to watch. ”

—Leigh Matthews, Hawthorn Great and 4-time premiership coach[19]

2009

Buddy played his 50th AFL game, all with Hawthorn, against Essendon in Round 18, 2007

Franklin missed the 2009 NAB Cup after undergoing surgery on his thumb and his shoulder following Hawthorn's premiership.[20] On his return to senior football his form fell well short of his 2008 performances.[21] He played his 100th game in Round 19 of the 2009 AFL season against St Kilda at Hawthorn's second home, Aurora Stadium in Tasmania. During the game, one of Franklin's teeth fell out during a marking contest between the forward and Zac Dawson.[22]

After Round 21 2009, Franklin was suspended for two games as a result of a hip and shoulder against Richmond player Ben Cousins.[23][24] The Hawks appealed the decision, but failed.[25] As a result, Franklin missed the Hawks' final home-and-away match against the Essendon Bombers, which the Hawks lost and therefore missed out the finals, causing Buddy to miss Round 1, 2010.

2010

After a disappointing year for Franklin and Hawthorn, the team had a positive start in 2010, defeating Richmond at Aurora Stadium in the first round of the NAB Cup. During the first quarter, Franklin kicked three of the five goals he kicked during the game.[26]

Without Franklin for its round one match against Melbourne, Hawthorn won comfortably by more than 50 points before losing their next six matches in succession. Franklin was suspended against Collingwood in Round 4 and also missed the Round 7 clash against West Coast but on return kicked five goals against North Melbourne and Essendon in Rounds 5 and 6 respectively. Franklin was back to his best form in Round 9 against Carlton at Docklands Stadium, in which he led Hawthorn to a 50 point win.[27][28] He contributed with five goals.[29] He showed glimpses of his 2008 form and looked to have his goal kicking form back as he was averaging more than three goals a game in his career, 106 games for 324 goals. However, in Round 10, Franklin was suspended for the third time in eight matches for a head-high bump on Sydney defender Martin Mattner.

In Round 13, just before the mid-year break, Lance Franklin effectively dragged Hawthorn over the line for a win against their arch-rival, Essendon.[30][31][32] He kicked five goals for the match, but his two last ones were the standout highlights.[33] The first one of which Franklin retrieved the football from team-mate Jordan Lewis near the wing and sprinted quickly along the boundary line towards goal, before kicking a bouncing ball through for a goal from 50 metres out at a tight angle. In his fifth and final goal for the night, Franklin ran up the ground towards the back half and again retrieved the ball. He then ran quickly towards the goal along the boundary line, but this time his shot for goal was much tighter. However, he still kicked a goal, sparking his team-mates, who were able to respond to the challenge by the Bombers.[33] Franklin ended up with 26 disposals and 10 marks, making him the "Man of the Match".[32][34] The win left Hawthorn in the Top 8, with their win-loss ratio at 7–6. Alastair Clarkson, the Hawthorn coach, later said: "He was pretty special. Those goals from the boundary were unbelievable stuff. He played consistently well right throughout the course of the game."[32][33]

Round 17 against St Kilda saw Franklin playing well after coming back from an ankle injury which had sidelined him the previous week against Brisbane. He kicked five goals, his best against the Saints.[35] Despite his performance, the Saints forced a draw during the final seconds of the match, resulting in both teams sharing the four points.

External video
Franklin's goal in Round 13 against Essendon

In the last round of the home and away season, Round 22, Franklin kicked six goals against Collingwood,[36] helping the Hawks clinch a three-point come-from-behind victory against the minor premiers. It was the first time he kicked more than five goals since 2008. On 13 September his memorable goal in Round 13 against Essendon was chosen as the "Goal of the Year". Frankin was also selected for the All-Australian team.

2011

Franklin at training

After a moderately good year in 2010, Hawthorn started 2011 with a loss to Adelaide which saw Franklin play only a minor role in the match. The next three rounds saw the Hawks begin to show their premiership form as they beat Melbourne, Richmond and West Coast. In Round 8 at the SCG, Franklin kicked his 400th goal for Hawthorn in a six goal game as the Hawks beat the Swans by 46 points. He continued his consistent goal kicking form for the remainder of the year, including eight goals against Port Adelaide at the MCG in Round 21. By the end of the home and away season, Franklin had achieved his second John Coleman medal, despite spending a significant amount of time in the midfield.

Franklin was Hawthorn's sole target up forward in their qualifying final loss to Geelong, kicking four goals. However, in the fourth quarter, he landed heavily in a marking contest and hyper-extended his knee. While footage of the incident suggested possible damage to his ACL, scans later revealed that he had instead suffered bone bruising and bleeding. Nevertheless, most observers considered Franklin's season to be over. However, he returned the following week against Sydney, kicking four goals and playing an important part in the Hawks' eventual win.

Despite spending time in hospital with a virus in the lead-up, Franklin was a constant danger against Collingwood in their preliminary final. He kicked three goals, including a dramatic dribble kick from the forward pocket, which appeared to seal victory for the Hawks until Luke Ball kicked a late winner for the Magpies. Franklin was named the All-Australian full forward for his season.

2012

Franklin struggled early in the season with inaccurate goal kicking, scoring 21 goals, 36 behinds in the first nine matches.[37] He dramatically reversed his fortunes in Round 10 when he booted a career high 13 goals, 4 behinds, to assist in the demolition of North Melbourne in Launceston by 115 points.[38] He also became they 5th player of the year to reach 500 career goals in a 162 point thrashing of AFL newcomers GWS Giants. He is the second indigenous player to reach 500 goals, the fifth Hawthorn player, the seventh youngest and the 10th quickest from debut.[39] He injured his hamstring in round 14, but surprisingly played the next week before he injured it further and was substituted out of the game.[40] It was announced at the end of the season that Franklin was the most popular player in the AFL in terms of products sold online in 2012. According to IMG Sports Technology Group, the organisation which handles e-commerce facilities for the AFL and the AFL clubs, Franklin was more than twice as popular as the second ranked player, teammate Cyril Rioli.[41] In the 2012 AFL Grand Final he kicked three goals but Hawthorn were defeated by the Sydney Swans.

2013: Second premiership and move to the Sydney Swans

Franklin played in the 2013 AFL Grand Final in which Hawthorn defeated Fremantle. This was the second time that he played in a Hawthorn premiership winning side. He kicked 60 goals for the season, the first time since 2006 that he'd kicked less than three goals per game, as he became less of a focal point for the team's attacks.[42] However his season was dominated with media focus on his contractual situation.

Before the 2013 season started, Franklin announced that he would not discuss his contract with Hawthorn until the end of the season. Having played for nine seasons at Hawthorn, he was classified as a restricted free agent at the end of the season.[43] Greater Western Sydney[44] and Fremantle were considered the most likely destinations if Franklin was to choose to leave Hawthorn.[43]

On 1 October 2013 the Giants withdrew their offer of $1.2 million per year for six years in the belief that Franklin was set to sign with the Sydney Swans.[45] The Hawthorn Football Club released a statement on 1 October which said that Franklin would explore his options in the free agency period.[46] The Hawks had the right to refuse any free agency offer and keep Franklin if they could match the terms of an offered contract.

The Sydney Swans' chairman, Andrew Ireland, said on 1 October that the contract offered to Franklin was a nine-year deal and that Franklin's management first approached the Swans about the move shortly after the 2012 AFL Grand Final.[47] On 2 October, Franklin said that he did not make his decision to move to Sydney until the "last minute". He also said that he was "looking forward to getting up to Sydney. It's a great footy club and as I said I had to pack my bags up at Hawthorn and saying goodbye to the boys is something very tough, and upsetting too."[48] On 3 October, Franklin's manager, Liam Pickering, revealed that the nine-year contract is so back ended that he will be making less money in his first two years with the Swans than he was at Hawthorn in 2013.

Franklin officially joined the Sydney Swans on 8 October after Hawthorn decided against matching the offer made to the restricted free agent.[49] A day later Franklin was unveiled by the Swans at the Sydney Cricket Ground.[50] A week later Franklin travelled to Ireland with the Australian team for the 2013 International Rules Series. It was the first time Franklin had represented Australia and he managed one over in his first game. Following the first game he travelled back to Australia for a wedding and was unable to participate in the second test.[51]

Franklin is expected to debut for the Sydney Swans in Round 1 of the 2014 AFL season in the Sydney Derby against crosstown rivals Greater Western Sydney at Skoda Stadium. In 2014 he will continue to wear the number 23 that he previously wore for Hawthorn.[52]

Personal life

Franklin has a variety of tattoos dedicated to his Indigenous heritage.[53] He is currently dating 2010 Miss Universe Australia model Jesinta Campbell.[54]

Statistics

Statistics are correct as end of season 2013[55]
Season Team No. Games Goals Behinds Kicks Marks Handballs Disposals
2005 Hawthorn 38 20 21 13 140 75 73 198
2006 Hawthorn 23 14 31 9 98 53 62 156
2007 Hawthorn 23 22 73 62 201 123 92 293
2008 Hawthorn 23 25 113 88 281 145 67 348
2009 Hawthorn 23 21 67 46 187 109 129 294
2010 Hawthorn 23 18 64 42 205 100 115 388
2011 Hawthorn 23 22 82 61 250 130 151 401
2012 Hawthorn 23 19 69 55 225 99 81 306
2013 Hawthorn 23 21 60 37 214 86 115 329
2014 Sydney 23
Totals 182 580 413 1801 920 885 2660

Career awards

References

  1. ↑ "Lance 'Buddy' Franklin boots 100 AFL goals". Herald Sun (Australia). 20 August 2008. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 
  2. ↑ "Hawthorn – All Games – By Opponent". rleague.com. Retrieved 3 July 2011. 
  3. ↑ Reconciliation website.
  4. ↑ http://www.theage.com.au/executive-style/culture/buddy-franklin-talks-footy-and-the-spotlight-20090604-bwew.html
  5. ↑ McClure, Geoff (19 April 2005). "Why Hawks are sold on Franklin". The Age (Melbourne). Retrieved 23 April 2008. 
  6. ↑ Niall, Jake. "Being Buddy". The Age newspaper. Retrieved 29 September 2013. 
  7. ↑ Murphy, Catherine. "Women are all around Buddy". Australian Football League (AFL). Retrieved 9 August 2007. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Sheehan, Mike; Hawks know Lance Franklin is a prized possession; Herald Sun; 6 February 2008
  9. ↑ Lance Franklin – WAFLOnline. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  10. ↑ Gordon, Harry; Gordon, Michael (2009). One For All-The Story of the Hawthorn Football Club. Melbourne, Victoria: Wilkinson Publishing. p. 350. ISBN 978-1-921332-83-8. 
  11. ↑ "Hawks edge out Crows in final-term flurry". ABC Online. 8/9/07. Retrieved 25 June 2010. 
  12. ↑ Lienert, Sam (8/9/07). "Lance Franklin boots Hawks into semis". Courier Mail. Retrieved 25 June 2010. 
  13. ↑ "Hawthorn star Lance Franklin boots team to semi-final". Perth Now. 7/9/10. Retrieved 25 June 2010. 
  14. ↑ Michael, Lovett (Chief editor) (2008). AFL Record Season Guide 2008. Geoff Slattery Publishing. p. 168. ISBN 978-0-9803466-5-7. 
  15. ↑ "Buddy's nine simply payback: Hawks". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 7 June 2008. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 
  16. ↑ Lance 'Buddy' Franklin boots 100 goals at Telstra Dome
  17. ↑ For kicking the most goals in 2008 he was named full-forward in the 2008 All-Australian Team. Franklin is the shape of things to come]
  18. ↑ "Franklin wins Peter Crimmins Medal". Fox Sports. 4/10/08. 
  19. ↑ Baker, Tim (19 May 2009). "Drinks With Leigh Mathews". Inside Sport (May 2009). Retrieved 12 October 2013. 
  20. ↑ "Buddy aims for opener". AFL. 7/1/09. Retrieved 25 June 2010. 
  21. ↑ Stubbs, Brett (12/6/09). "Struggling Hawthorn star Lance Franklin confident he's back to his best". The Herald Sun. Retrieved 23 June 2010. 
  22. ↑ Pierik, Jon (10/8/09). "Hawks eye open door". Sportal. Retrieved 29 June 2010. 
  23. ↑ Woods, Melissa (24 August 2009). "Lance Franklin hit with suspension for Ben Cousins bump". Perth Now. Retrieved 29 June 2010. 
  24. ↑ "Lance Franklin to challenge ban at AFL tribunal". The Australian. 13 April 2009. Archived from the original on 21 October 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2010. 
  25. ↑ Tullberg, Julie (27 August 2009). "Lance Franklin's ban to stand". The Herald Sun. Retrieved 29 June 2010. 
  26. ↑ "Hawks give Tigers a hiding". AFL. 13 February 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2010. 
  27. ↑ "Unsociable Hawks are back: Brad Sewell". HeraldSun.com.au. 24 May 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2010. 
  28. ↑ Blake, Martin (24 May 2010). "Franklin unstoppable as Hawks rediscover old magic". The Age (Melbourne). Retrieved 24 May 2010. 
  29. ↑ "Revived Hawks give Blues a hiding". 24 May 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2010. 
  30. ↑ "Lance Frankin stars in Hawks' thrilling win over Essendon". The Herald Sun. 18 June 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2010. 
  31. ↑ "Alastair Clarkson stoked at freak show". The Herald Sun. 19 June 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2010. 
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 Boulton, Martin (19 June 2010). "Franklin unbelievable, says Hawks coach". The Age (Melbourne). Retrieved 19 June 2010. 
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 "Hawks outlast Bombers". AFL. 18 June 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2010. 
  34. ↑ Rielly, Stephen (19 June 2010). "Lance Franklin's five snuffs out Essendon". The Australian. Archived from the original on 21 October 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2010. 
  35. ↑ "Hawks and Saints draw". AFL. 23 July 2010. Retrieved 24 July 2010. 
  36. ↑ "Hawks overrun Pies in a thriller". Hawthorn Football Club. 28 August 2010. Retrieved 29 August 2010. 
  37. ↑ Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says wasteful forward Lance Franklin is ready to 'tear a game apart'
  38. ↑ Barbieri, Paul (2 June 2012). "Buddy snags 13 as Hawks crush Roos". Sportal. 
  39. ↑ Mark, Macgugan (8 July 2012). "Buddy gets his 500th". 
  40. ↑ Landsberger, Sam (18 July 2012). "Hawthorn says Buddy Franklin won't line up against Collingwood". Herald Sun. 
  41. ↑ "Who is the Most Valuable Player in the AFL?". 9 October 2012. 
  42. ↑ Niall, Jake (30 September 2013). "Hawks' flag built on grand designs". 
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 Robinson, Mark; Timms, Daryl. "Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin insists he will not discuss a new contract until end of AFL season". News Limited date=2 February 2013. 
  44. ↑ Niall, Jake (26 July 2013). "Moves hang on Buddy's decision". 
  45. ↑ Clark, Jay (1 October 2013). "Hawthorn star Lance Franklin set to join Sydney Swans after GWS withdraws offer". Daily Telegraph. 
  46. ↑ "Hawthorn Football Club statement", Hawthorn Football Club website, 1 October 2013.
  47. ↑ "Franklin approached Swans: Ireland", AFL website, 2 October 2013.
  48. ↑ "My mind wasn't made up: Franklin", AFL website, 2 October 2013.
  49. ↑ http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-10-08/buddy-becomes-a-swan
  50. ↑ Cordy, Neil (10 October 2013). "Lance Franklin confident he can play for nine years at Sydney". NEWS.com.au. 
  51. ↑ Warner, Michael (8 October 2013). "Lance Franklin to miss the second International Rules Test match against Ireland". Herald Sun. 
  52. ↑ http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/2013-12-09/2014-guernsey-numbers-revealed
  53. ↑ AFL SuperCoach, This Is AFL (30 May 2011). "Top 5 AFL Tattoos". This Is AFL. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
  54. ↑ Domjen, Briana (10 October 2013). "Jesinta Campbell already regrets going public on relationship with Buddy Franklin and has removed post". Herald Sun. Retrieved 10 October 2013. 
  55. ↑ "Player Profile: Lance Franklin". AFL.AllTheStats.com. Retrieved 3 July 2011. 

External links

Sydney Swans – current squad
* denotes Rookie Listed players
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