Jesinta slams talk Lance Buddy Franklin is about to play his last game at the MCG before retiring

Jesinta Franklin has admitted she’s been left shocked by comments from fans and experts who are insisting her AFL star husband Lance might be playing his last game at the MCG against Richmond on Thursday night.

Franklin, who hasn’t taken to the field since round 13 because of a knee injury, is a welcome inclusion for the Swans ahead of their must-win match against the Tigers.

The 36-year-old veteran has starred in two premierships at the famous ground, while taking the field in a further four grand final defeats with Hawthorn and the Swans.

Franklin, who has played 350 games and kicked 1059 goals, is widely thought to be set for retirement when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The Swans will not return to the MCG this year unless they shock everyone and make the finals, so there is substance to the theory Thursday’s clash could be Franklin’s last on the hallowed turf.

Franklin looks set to retire at the end of the season – and the struggling Swans won’t play on the MCG this year after the Tigers clash unless they make the finals

Appearing on Channel 7’s The Morning Show, Jesinta said she didn’t know what the fuss over the possible ‘farewell game’ is all about.

‘It is actually so funny you say that, because someone said that to me on the way in  and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I didn’t even know that this was a thing that everyone’s talking about’,’ she said.

‘I haven’t booked flights. I’m not going down.’

Host Kylie Gillies replied: ‘Oh! I was going to ask. It’s how it’s being promoted on the Channel Seven footy promos – ‘Could this be Bud’s last game at the MCG?’. You’re not even going?’

Jesinta replied: ‘No, I’m not going.’

She was then asked about vision of Buddy looking visibly stunned in the coaches’ box during last Friday night’s disappointing draw with Geelong.

‘That’s the first time I’ve seen it,’ she said.

‘Everyone was texting me. I can’t remember what I was doing, I was probably bathing the kids or something (when the game was on).

Jesinta confirmed that she isn’t flying down to the MCG for the clash with the Tigers – which could be an indication she’s sure he’ll play on the famous ground again

‘I think it’s always frustrating for any athlete to be on the sideline and, you know, it was a really important game … So he’s really looking forward to being back this week.’

Someone else who is not thinking about the clash with the Tigers being Franklin’s last at the MCG is Swans co-captain Callum Mills.

‘Who knows? I don’t think Lance is thinking about that, or we are, really,’ he said.

‘We’ll just take every game as it comes and to be able to play with him every week is special … this week is no different.

‘It’s always the case when we come down to Melbourne, there’s a bit more talk about Bud but that’s what happens when you play with a superstar.

‘It’s almost a blessing because we get to be in the presence of one of the great players to play our game and we’re not really thinking about whether it’s his last year.’