Huge controversy over Buddy Franklin’s All-Australian captaincy

‘Are they having a laugh?’ Frustrated footy fans smell a pro-Sydney conspiracy as Buddy Franklin is named All-Australian AFL captain – despite zero leadership experience and in-form stars missing out

  • Sydney Swans key forward selected in All-Australian team for the eighth time
  • West Coast defender Shannon Hurn widely tipped to be All-Australian skipper
  • Franklin described the shock captaincy accolade as ‘humbling but unexpected’ 

Irate footy fans have taken to social media to vent their frustration after Sydney Swans superstar Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin was controversially named All-Australian captain on Wednesday night.

The street tip was West Coast Eagles skipper Shannon Hurn, but selectors instead opted for the Swans’ key forward.

Franklin has never worn the captain’s armband in his career for either Hawthorn, where he made his AFL debut in 2005, or Sydney, who he joined on a mega $10million deal ahead of the 2014 campaign.

Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin with his model wife Jesinta at the AFL All-Australia awards night

The 31-year-old is also not a member of the Swans’ seven-man leadership group. 

Franklin himself described the All-Australian leadership honour as ‘humbling but unexpected’.

Bemused Twitter users questioned the logic behind handing Franklin the captaincy.

Twitter user Simon Morawetz was after Buddy Franklin was named All-Australian captain

Twitter user Simon Morawetz was after Buddy Franklin was named All-Australian captain

Damian Fasciani tweeted his shock after Buddy Franklin was named All Australian skipper

Damian Fasciani tweeted his shock after Buddy Franklin was named All Australian skipper

Twitter user Brooke H felt the All-Australian selectors were 'just having a laugh'

Twitter user Brooke H felt the All-Australian selectors were ‘just having a laugh’

A passionate West Coast Eagles fan felt the accolade should have gone to Shannon Hurn

A passionate West Coast Eagles fan felt the accolade should have gone to Shannon Hurn

Fox Footy’s Gerard Whateley felt the All-Australian captaincy should go to the code’s standout leader.

‘It changes the nature of what the captain of the All-Australian team has been,’ Whateley said on AFL 360.

‘It has usually been who is the best captain of the competition, I think this is a ceremonial moment.’

Whateley had a supporter in co-host Mark Robinson. 

‘I’ve got no issue with Buddy (Franklin) being named captain, but I think the All-Australian team for that year should recognise the best captain for that year,” he said.

‘Shannon Hurn is a first-time All-Australian, he’s had a career-best year, his team is second on the ladder.

‘I think he (Hurn) has done enough this year to earn the 2018 All-Australian captaincy.’

Sydney Swans key forward Lance Franklin was named All-Australian skipper on Wednesday

Sydney Swans key forward Lance Franklin was named All-Australian skipper on Wednesday

 

 

 

 

Advertisement

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk