Emotional Buddy Franklin receives stirring SCG send-off as he bids farewell to the AFL…with the Swans and Hawthorn champion enjoying a drink in the stands before breaking down in tears in front of the fans

Sydney fans have given Lance Franklin a rousing send-off as the retired great completed a lap of honour at halftime of the AFL match against Melbourne.

The Swans faithful cheered, clapped and waved passionately to pay tribute to Franklin as he walked around the SCG boundary line with his wife Jesinta and their two children on Sunday.

In the first half, the Swans and Hawthorn great was spotted having a drink in the stands alongside fellow Sydney legend Michael O’Loughlin, as well as former Wallabies Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell.

Swans recently retired defender Paddy McCartin and former Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson were also in attendance.

‘Pretty overwhelmed,’ Franklin said when asked how he felt about the raucous response from a packed house at the SCG.

The Hawthorn and Swans great was joined on the pitch by his wife Jesinta and his two kids

Franklin was visibly emotional as he took a lap of honour in front of the Swans fans 

Speaking to his former Hawthorn teammate Shaun Burgoyne on Channel 7, the AFL great added: ‘Lot of happiness, a little bit of sadness, but it’s all come to an end.

‘I feel incredibly honoured to have played this great game for 19 years. A little bit overwhelmed. 

‘There’s a lot of hard work that goes into it. It’s a long time playing footy. It’s incredible to be here and see our fans out here today.

‘Coming from the bush in Western Australia, probably never thought this was possible. To play 19 years at two great clubs, I’m incredibly proud.’

Asked what he’d miss the most after retirement, Franklin replied: ‘Probably the banter in the changerooms, that day-to-day stuff. 

‘That’s what I’ll miss the most. Competing, being out here. Just playing footy, I’m going to miss that.

‘I feel very blessed to have played this great game for so long. 

‘I’ve met some amazing people through my journey and it’s been an incredible turnout today, so thanks, everyone.’

In the first half, Franklin (right) was spotted enjoying a drink in the stands with fellow Sydney legend Michael O’Loughlin, as well as former Wallabies Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell

A capacity crowd at the SCG waved goodbye to Franklin, who played 10 seasons for the Swans

Franklin was stepping back into the public eye for the first time since announcing his retirement with immediate effect on July 31 after sustaining a calf injury against Essendon two days earlier.

The former Sydney and Hawthorn forward did not attend the press conference that confirmed his retirement, with Swans coach John Longmire and CEO Tom Harley fronting up to honour him.

But fans embraced the opportunity to show Franklin their appreciation of a remarkable career that included 172 matches in 10 seasons with the Swans after 182 games for Hawthorn.

Spectators were also able to write messages of thanks to their retiring hero on a wall outside the Swans’ headquarters a short walk away from their home turf.

Franklin said he felt ‘overwhelmed’ by the tribute he received by the crowd on Sunday 

The AFL legend conceded part of him felt sad at walking away from footy after 354 games

After debuting in 2005, Franklin kicked 1066 goals in 354 matches to sit fourth on the list of the all-time leading VFL/AFL goalkickers.

The spearhead set off wild scenes at the SCG last season when he became just the sixth player to reach 1000 VFL/AFL goals.

Franklin won two premierships with Hawthorn before moving to Sydney on a landmark nine-year deal.

The 36-year-old is an eight-time All-Australian and a four-time Coleman Medal winner.