AFL Swans superstar Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin reveals how close he came to retiring after 2022 season

Buddy Franklin has revealed he was a ’50/50 chance’ of retiring at the end of the season – and never seriously entertained the possibility of playing for a third AFL club in his decorated career.

Franklin, 35, who booted his 1000th career goal earlier this season, also had a blunt message for the critics who slammed him after he signed a monster nine-year deal worth $10million with the Sydney Swans in 2013.

‘There’s been a lot of knockers over the years, hasn’t there?’ Franklin said at the SCG on Tuesday.

‘When I first got here [Sydney] people were knocking [me] that I wouldn’t get there, I wouldn’t make it. I’d play for four or five years and that would be it.

‘So I’ve definitely proved them wrong, haven’t I?’

After agreeing to terms with Sydney for 2023, Franklin (pictured with wife Jesinta) called out the critics who questioned his monster nine-year deal to come to the Swans in 2013

It comes after Franklin put an end to rumours about his playing future on Monday with a succinct two-word statement via the club’s social media channels, reading simply: ‘One more.’

Franklin and Sydney’s announcement closely followed the format of the message basketball legend Michael Jordan sent when he returned to the Chicago Bulls in 1995 in the NBA, in which he proclaimed ‘I’m back’.

Franklin has kicked 467 goals in 158 games with the Swans after booting 580 goals in 182 games at Hawthorn.

He currently sits in fifth place on the all-time VFL/AFL goal-kicking list with 1,047 goals, ten short of fourth-placed Doug Wade.

Franklin made his AFL debut with Hawthorn in 2005 and key forward quickly established himself as a superstar in the code.

The eight-time All Australian won premierships with the Hawks in 2008 and 2013 before relocating to the Harbour City.

Plenty questioned at the time whether the interstate move was primarily motivated by money.

The Swans announced Franklin’s new deal in a short statement on their social media channels on Monday, and the wording mirrored NBA legend Michael Jordan’s famous announcement that he was returning to the Chicago Bulls in 1995

Franklin will play in his sixth AFL grand final when the Swans take on Geelong on Saturday at the MCG

This Saturday Franklin has the chance to win a third flag – and his first with the Swans – when they tackle the Cats in the AFL Grand Final at the MCG.

Both teams are in sparkling form, with Geelong unbeaten in 15 games and Sydney riding high after winning eight matches in succession.

Franklin will be the man many of his younger teammates lean on this week if they are feeling overawed in the lead up to the big dance.

He added his decision to extend his deal for 2023 was due to his ongoing ‘passion and drive to compete.’

‘I’ve been playing for 18 years, it’s a long time in the game. I’ve obviously got a young family and things have changed a lot since I first got here,’ he told the Herald Sun.

‘I’m over the moon with this decision and I’m just looking forward to playing this weekend but also going on next year.

‘As the year went on I still had that passion and drive to compete. Until that goes, that’s when I’ll finish up. ‘But it hasn’t gone at the moment.’

Saturday’s grand final is from 2.30pm, with the Bloods chasing their sixth AFL/VFL premiership.