AFL teams and players lined up to pay tribute to ‘champion’ Buddy Franklin after the Sydney Swans great kicked his 1,000th AFL goal.
The 35-year-old became only the sixth player in VFL/AFL history to reach the historic landmark as he booted his fourth major with just six minutes left of the Swans’ game against Geelong at the SCG.
Franklin’s historic goal kicked off scenes of pandemonium at the historic venue, where tens of thousands of fans streamed onto the pitch to celebrate their hero.
Lance Franklin became only the sixth player in VFL/AFL history to kick 1,000th goal
‘Absolute scenes. This is just the best thing ever,’ the AFL tweeted.
The Cats were among the first teams to congratulate Franklin, who won the 2008 Grand Final against them when he was a Hawthorn player.
‘A long time foe, a champion and a warrior. Congratulations Buddy,’ the club tweeted via its official account.
The Hawks, who Franklin spearheaded to two flags, added: ‘One of the greatest to ever do it. Congrats Buddy!’
The AFL paid tribute to Franklin following his 1,000th goal on Friday night
Geelong were on the receiving end of the historic landmark but were quick to congratulate the 35-year-old, whom they described as a ‘foe, champion and a warrior’
Hawthorn, the club Franklin won two premierships with, also paid homage to their ex-star
The Adelaide Crows added: ‘Congratulations to Hawthorn and Sydney legend Buddy Franklin on his 1000th career goal. A huge achievement.’
There were similar reactions across the league, with clubs celebrating the historic landmark.
‘Congratulations Buddy,’ tweeted the Western Bulldogs, echoing Essendon’s post, which simply read: ‘Well done, Buddy’.
There were similar reactions across the league, with Carlton joining the tributes
Collingwood echoed the feelings, describing Franklin’s 1,000th goal as ‘very special’
While the Adelaide Crows called the landmark a ‘huge achievement’
Fremantle and Collingwood struck a similar note, with the latter describing Franklin’s 1,000th goal as ‘real special’.
Carlton’s official account encapsulated the feelings of thousands of fans: ‘How good is footy,’ was the Blues’ succinct comment.
Franklin booted his 1,000th career goal with just six minutes left in the game against the Cats
The Swans star entered the game needed four goals to reach the historic landmark
After kicking his historic goal, Franklin was mobbed by fans, who hoisted him aloft on their shoulders as security personnel struggled to clear the field of play as the game was suspended for over 20 minutes with the Swans 107-69 ahead.
Speaking on Fox Footy, AFL 360 host Gerard Whateley added: ‘Is there an equivalent sight in world sport, than what we’ve just seen? I can’t think of any.’
Prior to Franklin, only Tony Lockett (1360), Gordon Coventry (1299), Jason Dunstall (1254), Doug Wade (1057) and Gary Ablett senior (1031) had kicked 1,000 goals.
Franklin’s 1,000th goal sparked raucous celebrations at the SCG as fans poured onto the field
Franklin was hoisted aloft by Swans fans who wanted to celebrate with their hero
Franklin had four goals left to reach the mark after the round one game against GWS, and he notched major 997 on the stroke of quarter time.
He kicked two more in the third stanza, before being taken off for a breather and returning just pas the halfway mark of the final period. From then on, it was only a matter of minutes before he wrote his name in AFL’s history.
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