One more lap for Buddy with champion Sydney Swans star to receive SCG farewell following retirement call
- Buddy Franklin set to farewell Swans fans on August 27
- Will unfold at SCG at halftime during clash versus Demons
- Franklin, 36, retired with immediate effect recently
- Joined the Bloods in 2013 on a nine-year, $10.2million deal
Sydney Swans legend Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin is poised to return to the SCG for a final farewell to his adoring fans following his recent immediate retirement.
Franklin, 36, chose to hang up his boots after picking up a calf injury in the round 20 win over Essendon.
In doing so, it ended one of the all-time great AFL careers which began at Hawthorn in 2005.
According to Fox Footy, the prolific key forward, who booted 1066 goals in 354 career games, will take part in a halftime lap of honour during Sydney’s home clash with Melbourne.
‘Lance will go down as one of our club’s greatest players and we think ‘Member Thank You Round’ is the perfect opportunity for him to thank our members and fans as we pay tribute to him,’ Sydney chief executive Tom Harley said.
Sydney Swans legend Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin is poised to return to the SCG for a final farewell to his many fans following his recent retirement
The prolific key forward, who booted 1066 goals in 354 career games, will take part in a halftime lap of honour during Sydney’s home clash with Melbourne on August 27 (pictured, with wife Jesinta)
‘For almost 20 years we’ve been able to witness something special whenever Lance took to the field, and we expect this occasion will be another one of those special moments.
‘I would encourage our members and fans to secure their seat now – we are fortunate to be pushing towards 65,000 members this year, so we know there will be plenty of Swans fans eager to be at the game.’
It is understood the round 24 home tussle versus the Demons will be played on Sunday, August 27.
The Swans also remain in the hunt for finals footy after finding their winning mojo in recent weeks.
John Longmire’s men travel to Adelaide to take on the Crows on August 19 before hosting the Demons eight days later.
Franklin joined the Swans from Hawthorn in 2013 on a a nine-season, $10.2million deal
If they win both matches they will finish in the top eight.
In 2013, Franklin signed the most lucrative contract in AFL football – a nine-season $10.2million deal – to join Sydney following a decorated career at Hawthorn, where he won premierships in 2008 and 2013.
The Herald Sun reported Franklin’s career with the Bloods was worth almost $100 million in terms of corporate sponsorship, membership, ticket sales, merchandise and earned media.
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