The Sydney Swans and broader AFL fraternity have given retiring forward Lance 'Buddy' Franklin a fitting send-off, with the proud Noongar-Wajuk man completing a lap of honour during halftime of the Swans' final game of the regular season against Melbourne on Sunday.
As Franklin walked the boundary line alongside wife Jesinta and two children, Tullulah and Rocky, Sydney supporters reacted passionately by cheering, clapping and waiving to say 'Thanks Buddy' to the 18-season veteran.
With the Foo Fighters hit 'My Hero' fittingly playing in the background and with his father in the crowd alongside former Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson, a tearful at times Franklin suggested he felt "pretty overwhelmed" after the outpouring of support from the packed crowd at the SCG.
The occasion was Franklin's first public appearance following his immediate retirement on July 31 after sustaining a season-ending calf injury in Sydney's two point win over Essendon two days earlier.
Franking did not attend the Swans press conference to announce his retirement the following week, leaving Swans coach John Longmire and CEO Tom Harley to announce Buddy's retirement on his behalf.
Reportedly having to be talked into the lap of honour after some time away following his retirement, Swans coach John Longmire said the occasion clearly meant just as much to Buddy as it did his fans.
"I saw him in the race before he went out and he was a bit nervous just at halftime, and then I saw him as he finished off his lap and he was a bit emotional," Longmire said.
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"So it was great just to see how much it meant to him, and certainly it would have meant a huge amount to the fans.
"It was great to have him back here and he just said it was awesome.
"I'm really glad he got that experience. I'm glad our fans here got that experience as well because he's been a massive contributor to this footy club for 10 years."
As part of 'Thanks Buddy' celebrations put on by the Swans, fans were also invited to write messages of support to Franklin on a wall outside the Swans' headquarters.
During his nine seasons at Hawthorn and 10 at Sydney, Franklin amassed 1066 goals from his 354 appearances, ending his career sitting fourth on the all time VFL/AFL goalkickers list.
He was Hawthorn's leading goal kicker on six occasions and Sydney's seven times.
Franklin won two premierships with Hawthorn in 2008 and 2013, was an eight-time All-Australian and four-time Coleman Medal winner.
