Absolute chaos as footy fans invade SCG after Buddy Franklin kicks 1000th goal

Swans star Buddy Franklin caused absolute mayhem as footy fans invaded the SCG after the Swans star reached a spectacular milestone.

Buddy has done it! Photo: Getty Images

Buddy Franklin has become just the sixth player in AFL history to kick 1000 Premiership goals, booting four majors on Friday night to send Sydney into meltdown.

It was absolute pandemonium as the Swans star achieved the result in front of his home crowd in the 17.5 (107) to 10.17 (77) win over Geelong.

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Franklin joins Tony Lockett, Gordon Coventry, Jason Dunstall, Doug Wade and Garry Ablett in the 1000 goal club.

It’s an achievement that may never be matched again as the next closest current player is Richmond veteran Jack Riewoldt, with 716 goals.

With 13 minutes to go, the crowd booed together as Franklin was given a breather. After three minutes of chanting for him to get back on the field, he returned with just under 10 minutes remaining.

Then, with six-and-a-half minutes left, Franklin marked 30m out and booted the goal he needed to hit quadruple digits, sparking wild scenes as the stands emptied and fans poured onto the SCG.

This is wild. Photo: Fox Sports

Bonkers. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos)

During the week even AFL boss Gillon McLachlan said it “wouldn’t be the worst” if fans flooded the field, despite warnings from the AFL and NSW Police of heavy fines.

“Well, officially, you shouldn’t run on the ground, but … it would be a good look, wouldn’t it?” McLachlan told AFL 360.

“Exactly (be good), leave (the players) alone. I can’t endorse it, but it wouldn’t be the worst.

“It’s just a big deal to have 1000 goals. Who knows if it happens again?”

Franklin kicked his first goal in the first quarter, before adding two more in the third term to leave the AFL world on edge. And he would not disappoint his home fans.

Speaking to Seven after the achievement, Franklin said the scenes were “surreal”.

“It was an amazing moment, it really was,” he said. “A lot of hard work to get there. Been playing for 18 years. A lot of hard work to get there but I wouldn’t be able to get there without having great teammates around me to provide those assists.”

Asked if he was freaked out by the scenes, he added: “I had the taste of Carlton Draught in my mouth from someone. It was an amazing moment. Something I will cherish forever.”

The fans were already on their way. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Fans flood on after he kicked the 1000th. Photo by Phil Hillyard

‘Never seen anything like it’: Footy world reacts

On Fox Footy, Jonathan Brown said it was a “momentous occasion”.

“Taking about the occasion itself, 50 years’ time, we might not see this again,” he said. “Maybe 100 years’ time. This might be the last time this milestone ever happens, the way the game’s played, they have to play for 25 years.”

Melbourne great Garry Lyon said the Swans “own Sydney right now”.

“The AFL and Buddy and the Swans, it’s not for the first time, they’ve won premierships and hold a legitimate place in the sporting landscape up there,” he said.

“But these scenes, I don’t think they’d happen from a rugby league or a rugby union point of view.”

The football world lost its collective minds for the historic moment.

“I’m not sure how many were here the night that Plugger (Tony Lockett) broke the record but it does seem to me there’s a lot more on the ground than when that took place. Such a hero this guy is up here in Sydney,” Seven commentator Brian Taylor said.

James Brayshaw added: “I’ve never seen scenes like this at a sporting event anywhere.”

The reaction was swift as the sports world lost it for the magic moment.

Journalist Gillian O’Shaughnessy tweeted: “Never seen anything like it. Buddy legend.”

Sports commentator Alister Nicholson tweeted: “My god, amazing scenes. #Buddy1000 a giant reception for a giant of the game.”

Incredible. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Buddy was mobbed. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

We’ll never see this again.

Jockey Zac Purton said: “The legend becomes immortal - @Buddy_Franklin slots it. 1000 goals and the scenes at the SCG are insane.”

Boomers star Matthew Dellavedova tweeted: “1000 goals!! Congrats @Buddy_Franklin probably never see it again!”

AFL stars also jumped on the bandwagon.

Mason Cox called Franklin an “icon” while Stephen May added: “The greatest showman.” Shaun Burgoyne tweeted: “Lance Franklin = Legend.”

Even the Crows offered a tribute: “Congratulations to Hawthorn and Sydney legend Buddy Franklin on his 1000th career goal. A huge achievement.”

Congratulations Buddy Franklin #1000goals#legendpic.twitter.com/yxGVs5Uigt

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) March 25, 2022

This image is a close second. Just incredible. #Buddy1000pic.twitter.com/aDSxKGOkVV

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) March 25, 2022

Incredible. What a legend. #Buddy1000

— Nick D'Urbano (@NickDurbano_) March 25, 2022