Buddy Franklin opens up about what he and wife Jesinta think about being called Australia’s Posh and Becks – and whether he would go into TV after retiring from footy

AFL legend Buddy Franklin has opened up about he and wife Jesinta being labelled Australia’s answer to Posh and Becks – and whether he would consider a career in reality television now he is happily retired from footy.

Franklin, 37, hung up his boots last season at the Swans after a phenomenal career.

He booted 1066 goals – fourth on the all-time AFL list – and won two premierships with Hawthorn in 2008 and 2013.

The key forward famously kicked his 1000th career goal against in March last year, sparking euphoric scenes at the SCG during a match against Geelong. 

When asked on Channel Seven’s Sunrise if he would entertain the thought of being a part of a reality TV show like Victoria Beckham and her football husband David, Franklin’s response was an emphatic no.

‘As a family, we are private and like to keep to ourselves,’ he told veteran sports reporter Mark Beretta on Friday. 

‘I also wouldn’t say we are like Posh and Becks.’

Franklin went on to state he is loving life on the Gold Coast as a stay-at-home dad for son Rocky and daughter Tallulah – but admitted not having the routine of footy has taken some adjusting to.

Franklin, 37, retired from AFL footy last season following a decorated career with Hawthorn and the Sydney Swans (pictured with wife Jesinta and their children Tallulah and Rocky during his farewell at the SCG)

He booted 1066 goals – fourth on the all-time AFL list – and won two premierships with Hawthorn in 2008 and 2013 before moving to the Swans from 2014 

Meanwhile, Franklin has revealed he wants to return to AFL in some capacity, 11 months on from walking away from the game.

He admitted that his competitive urges are drawing him back to the sport.

‘Footy is all I have known playing for nearly 20 years,’ Franklin told News Corp.

‘At some stage there is no doubt I will get back involved, but it has been a nice position to be in to actually have a year away from the game and just take a big deep breath and spend this time with my family.

‘But there is no doubt that I will be back in the game at some stage.’

The former goal-kicking superstar remained aloof when discussing what his return would entail.

‘I am not sure, and that is something that I will have a think about, speak to the right people, work out exactly what I want to do because if I am involved at some level, I will be all in,’ Franklin said.

In 2024, the Swans have adjusted to life without Franklin remarkably well, sitting top of the AFL ladder having lost just two games all season.