What did Lance Franklin, Dane Swan, Dustin Martin and Nathan Jones look like before the tattoos
DO you remember Dane Swan without tattoos? How many did Dustin Martin have on his first day at Punt Road?
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DO you remember Dane Swan without tattoos? How many did Dustin Martin have on his first day at Punt Road.
Lance Franklin caught the bug after Hawthorn’s shock 2008 premiership, while excitement machine Cyril Rioli has taken a meticulous approach to his ink work.
Rioli has several tattoos including a map of the Tiwi Islands — in the colours of the Aboriginal flag — his name on his back and a hawk on his chest with the inscription “Live the life you Love” and “Love the life you Live” across the wings.
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Nathan Jones, Jesse White, Jamie Elliott, Zach Tuohy and Brandon Ellis all started their careers with little — to no — visible ink.
But Swan remains the undisputed AFL king of ink.
The Brownlow medallist entered the league a clean skin but it didn’t take long for the boy from Westmeadows to become addicted to body art.
What started as a half sleeve — shoulder to elbow — depicting a demon with horns and fangs escalated quickly to include tattoos on both arms, legs, back and chest.
Ever the prankster Swan blindsided teammates in 2013 turning up to training with his tattoos “removed” as part of a dramatic transformation for charity.
In 2014, Swan sensationally had Sam Newman’s face tattooed on his backside after losing a bet on The Footy Show.
Last year, eagle-eyed Herald Sun snapper Wayne Ludbey found a Wally — of Where’s Wally fame — hiding behind Swan’s left ear.
Swan had more work done on the back of his legs and knees in March.
Sydney superstar Franklin has quite a collection of tatts including several dedicated to his indigenous heritage.
His right arm features a tattoo of his mother’s face and name next to a flower and above a skull.
He also has the face of the elder who gave his nickname on his left arm.
His left full sleeve features a series of indigenous inspired motifs including a kangaroo and a didgeridoo.
Tigers star Martin broke new ground when he surfaced in 2010 sporting two Maori phrases — Ngati Maru and Matai Whetu — on either side of his neck.
He also has “Live Free. Die Free” tattooed across his stomach.
Martin’s collection continues to grow.
Melbourne captain Jones has many tattoos but none more important than the one of his grandfather on his forearm.
Just four days before George Jones died from motor neurone disease, the Melbourne captain, with a lump in his throat, stood beside his grandad’s hospital bed and rolled up his sleeve.
His grandad couldn’t speak, smile or nod his approval. He couldn’t move a muscle to give a thumbs-up. But a tear which welled in the corner of his old blue eyes gave Jones the blessing he’d hoped for.
Jones had no ink when he made his debut for Melbourne as a fresh-faced 18-year-old kid.
But it didn’t take long for the fierce Demons leader to add several pieces to his body of work.
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