Lance Franklin

Lance Franklin (or Buddy Franklin) was born on 30 January 1987. In his early life he had grown up to love AFL and view as many matches as he could, but his passion did not just stop there, he was a star on the AFL field as a young boy and eventually pursued his passion to the point he is at now, an international level.

Franklin was born in Perth, Western Australia, into a family of Indigenous Australians (Noongar-Wajuk) and grew up in Dowerin supporting the Melbourne Football Club. When he was 15, he won a sports scholarship and was educated at Wesley College. He played one senior game for the Perth Football Club in 2004, kicking one goal, and represented Western Australia at the 2004 AFL Under 18 Championships.

Franklin has won two premierships, four All-Australian team awards, two Coleman Medals and a Peter Crimmins Medal in his time at Hawthorn, he also kicked the AFL Goal of the Year twice (in 2010 and 2013). He also was nominated for the AFL Rising Star award in the 2005 season. After winning his second premiership at Hawthorn, Franklin moved to the Sydney Swans at the end of the 2013 season, before representing Australia in the 2013 International Rules Series. Franklin had an incredible impact at Sydney, where he won three All-Australian selections and two more Coleman Medals.

Lance Franklin Media

Franklin kicking for goal against Essendon in 2007
Thousands of supporters take to the field after Franklin kicked his 100th goal for the 2008 season, in round 22 against Carlton
Franklin kicking for goal against Port Adelaide in 2011
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Franklin celebrating a goal against Adelaide in 2012
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Franklin at Sydney's fan day following the 2014 AFL Grand Final
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Franklin marking the ball against Richmond in 2017
Fans flooding the Sydney Cricket Ground after Franklin's 1,000th AFL goal in 2022