AFL great Buddy Franklin starts ‘exciting’ new marathon challenge, talks plans for 2025

In an exclusive chat with the Sunday Herald Sun, AFL great Buddy Franklin has unveiled his newest sporting conquest, planning to capitalise on his endurance skills in the new feat.

Recently retired AFL superstar Buddy Franklin is becoming a marathon man. Picture: Matt King

Recently retired AFL superstar Buddy Franklin is becoming a marathon man.

Franklin, who called time on his decorated footy career in July 2023, has found a new sporting challenge and plans to run his first marathon this year.

While he had an elite level of fitness and endurance during his AFL career Franklin has never been a distance runner, making training and competing in a marathon a totally new experience.

Buddy and Jesinta Franklin are KIA ambassadors and are attending the 2025 Australian Open as guests of the car brand. Picture: Supplied

“The plan was to do the LA Marathon, but given the situation (with wildfires) there at the moment I am just not certain it is going to be okay to go ahead,” Franklin said.

“That was all locked in to do, so we are looking at doing something else (a different marathon) at the moment, which will be exciting. I have started training, I am only a couple of weeks in, so the next few months will be interesting.

“I think once you finish (a sporting career) you always need a challenge. Having played football professionally for so long this is something I am really looking forward too, I can challenge myself mentally and physically and see how I go.”

Franklin called time on his decorated footy career in July 2023. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Franklin and his wife Jesinta will attend the Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Sunday as guests of KIA.

The couple are ambassadors for the car brand with an EV9 and a Carnival in their garage and will be making the day at the tennis a mini reunion with some of Franklin’s former Hawthorn teammates including Jordan Lewis, Jarryd Roughead, and possibly Luke Hodge.

Jesinta said Franklin had been keen to attempt a marathon last year, but decided instead to take a full break from elite sport.

Family has been at the heart of every decision the Queensland-based couple has made has made since Franklin hung up his footy boots.

“We discussed it and decided it was important that he take a bit of time off physically and mentally from anything athletic, have done it for 19 years,” Jesinta said.

“When this year ticked around he was like ‘I am doing that marathon’ and I was like ‘OK, let’s do it’.

“I just want to be very clear, I will be cheering on from the sidelines, not running it.”

Family has been at the heart of every decision the Queensland-based couple has made has made since Franklin hung up his footy boots with the Sydney Swans.

Franklin has dipped his toe back into the footy space via the AFL’s Superkick program, but mostly his time has been spent playing kick to kick with his daughter Tallulah, almost 5, and son Rocky, 3.

Buddy Franklin takes to the field in 2023. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“I played professionally for 19 years so it is half my life in one job, so it was just nice to take a big deep breath and have some time to spend with my wife and my two kids,” Franklin said.

“To have the opportunity to see the kids grow and be there with them every day, is something I cherish and have loved every minute of it.”

“You’re a full time coach at the moment for Rocky,” Jesinta noted.

“He kicks with his left foot. He is a mini Bud.”

Added the proud dad: “I love have a kick with him. I think every dad likes having a kick with their son or daughter, so most of my days are filled up doing that.”

With Tallulah starting school this year, Franklin will be on school pick up and drop off duties.

“The school is a 35 – 40 mins drive one way so I will spending a lot of time in the KIA this year,” he said.

As KIA ambassadors the Franklins are getting a taste for tennis.

Franklin and his wife Jesinta will attend the Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Sunday as guests of KIA.

“We went to the Australian Open for the first time last year in about 12 years,” Jesinta said.

“Obviously our life has been consumed by AFL for the last ten plus years, so it has been nice to be spectators at other sports. We were guests of KIA and we loved it, it was fantastic. The tennis is a real mix of glamour and fashion and amazing sportsmanship and fantastic hospitality.

“It is such a good way to start the year with KIA and we are so excited to be back her again and to be able to catch up with all our friends and watch some great tennis.”

She said they decided to team up with KIA was based on their lifestyle.

“We actually had five car deals presented to us when Bud finished up footy and KIA was the one we went for because it is such a good family brand and car,” Jesinta said.

“The vehicles are perfect for our chaotic, crazy, adventurous life. We are riding horses one day, hiking to a waterfall another day, at the beach another day, down at the creek on another, so it really suits our lifestyle.”