‘Once I’d finished up, I felt relief’: Buddy embraces life after the Swans

Last July, Lance Franklin’s body told him what his mind already knew: it was time to retire from AFL after almost two decorated decades at Hawthorn and the Sydney Swans.

After injuring his calf, the decision to leave the game he loved came quickly. Franklin spoke to coach John Longmire and his teammates, then left Sydney swiftly without a press conference to begin a new life on the Gold Coast as a stay-at-home dad, which has suited him perfectly.

“Once I’d finished up, it was a weight of the world off my shoulders, to be honest with you,” Franklin said. “You don’t realise until you’ve finished up how much pressure players put on themselves, and how much stress goes into it. So once I did finish up, I felt relief, and I’m happy and content where everything is at.”

Franklin watches every Swans game he can from his Gold Coast home with his young family, but hasn’t once considered a comeback. The football chapter of his life is firmly closed.

“No, I’m very happy and contented with my decision” he said. “Obviously physically, but also mentally, I was ready to finish up, and feel very blessed to have played 19 seasons at the professional level for so long, and I was fortunate enough to meet some great people along the way.”

Franklin, who was back in Sydney on Thursday for a rare visit to launch Hahn Ultra Zero Carb beer, believes his former teammates at the Swans are in contention for a premiership this season.

Lance Franklin in Sydney on Thursday to launch Hahn Ultra Zero Carb beer.Credit: Wolter Peeters

“Fingers crossed, that would be really nice wouldn’t it?” Franklin said. “I think they’re in a really good position at the moment to contend for the premiership, and they’ve been consistent throughout [the season].

“But there’s still a lot of work to go and they’ve got a finals campaign coming up. If they keep going the way they are, hopefully they can do it.”

Franklin has been impressed by the Swans this season and was particularly happy to see his former mentee Joel Amartey’s spectacular nine-goal haul against Adelaide in round 14.

“You just need everyone playing their role, which they all are, and how good was it seeing Joel kicking nine goals the other day, that was awesome,” Franklin said. “They’re in a really good position, but there’s still a little bit to go.”

Franklin remains hopeful that Chad Warner, who provided the assist for his 1000th goal at the SCG in 2022, can stay at the Swans for years to come.

“We’d love to see him stay and wear the Swans’ jumper for life,” Franklin said. “But he’s got decisions to make, and it’s up to him and his family and what they want to do.”

The Swans are set to announce an unchanged starting line-up for Sunday’s game against St Kilda, with defender Patrick Snell potentially in line for his AFL debut from the bench after being drafted in 2023.