Lance Franklin subbed out after suffering calf injury vs Essendon

Lance Franklin cut a dejected figure on the bench with fears a fresh injury may ultimately be the end of his illustrious AFL career.

A dejected Buddy watches on. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Is this the end of the road for Lance Franklin?

The AFL superstar cut a dejected figure as he sat on the bench at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.

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In the Sydney Swans clash against Essendon, the 36-year-old was subbed out of the contest in the second quarter.

While it wasn’t announced straight away why he’d be taken out of the game, news came out shortly afterwards that he had suffered a calf injury.

With 354 games to his name and 1066 goals, the eight-time All Australian looked set to hang up the boots at seasons end.

That mindset reportedly shifted in recent weeks with Franklin said to be weighing up whether he’d go around again for another season.

Depending on the severity of his injury, the curtain may come down on what has been an illustrious career.

The Age’s Andrew Wu wrote: “Lance Franklin subbed out of the game in the second quarter. Cutting a dejected figure on the bench. You’d hope it’s not the last time we’ve seen him play.”

The Swans entered the halftime break holding a 19-point advantage over their opponents.

Buddy Franklin has been subbed out of the game 😔

This is the play in which he may have been injured.#AFLDonsSwanspic.twitter.com/THolVljSik

— 7AFL (@7AFL) July 29, 2023

A dejected Buddy watches on. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

The Herald Sun’s Mark Robinson reported Buddy is open-minded about his future following a solid three-week block of games, taking 16 marks and kicking seven goals while feeling much better physically.

“I thought about it driving home last night from the show - OK, where is everyone placed?” Robinson said on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Tuesday night.

“Wake up this morning, make a couple of calls, and Buddy Franklin I think’s open to playing on next year. That’s not saying he’s playing on - he might be open to playing on next year, and Sydney will have a big, large play in that decision. I think the last three weeks has given Buddy a bit of thinking time.”

The legendary goalkicker has been carefully managed throughout the season and sits fourth on Sydney’s goalkicking table with 19 majors from 12 games, behind brilliant small forward Tom Papley (32 from 18), Buddy’s heir apparent Logan McDonald (24 from 14) and star Isaac Heeney (21 from 17).