AFL superstar Buddy Franklin buzzing over surprise new gig during post-footy life

With his AFL boots hung up, former Hawthorn and Sydney footy legend Buddy Franklin has found a sweet new passion with his wife Jesinta.

Buddy Franklin is exploring new interests with his wife Jesinta following the end of his footy career. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Former AFL superstar Buddy Franklin has revealed his unusual new passion and it is one that has him buzzing.

Franklin is adding beekeeper to his resume along with marathon running and podcasting.

His new endeavour completes the sweet spot of life after footy activities he is indulging in.

Franklin, who described himself as “Buddy the beekeeper”, undertook a weekend course to begin his apiculture journey.

“I did a beekeeping course (last weekend),” he told Shane Crawford on The Buddy and Shane Show podcast.

Lance 'Buddy' Franklin doing a beekeeper course at the Gold Coast Amateur Beekeepers Society. Picture: Instagram

“That was my weekend, it was incredible.

“Me and Jesinta (his wife) did it. We spent half day Saturday, half day Sunday (learning beekeeping).

“It was incredible, bees are just amazing things really (with) what they do.

“It was pretty insightful, so I learned a lot.”

Franklin said he and Jesinta, who did the course at the Gold Coast Amateur Beekeepers Society, planned to have their own hives on their Queensland property.

“We will, we will,” he said.

Jesinta Franklin at the Gold Coast Amateur Beekeepers Society. Picture: Instagram

Franklin has been trying new things since he retired from the Sydney Swans with marathon running being among his recent interests.

He has signed up for the New York marathon on November 2 and will take part in a series of distance runs in Australia in the coming months as part of his preparation.

He has plans to take part in a half marathon on the Gold Coast and then a 30km run in Alice Springs before heading to New York.