Sydney Swans will look to visit remote Northern Territory again next year after a trip to Maningrida

The reason for Sydney Swans star Lance “Buddy” Franklin’s visit to the Territory has been revealed. See where he went and his plans for future trips.

The Sydney Swans hope to strengthen ties with Maningrida and other remote communities after Lance “Buddy” Franklin and a bunch of teammates visited the area over the weekend.

Swans player Hayden McLean told reporters at Darwin Airport the trip was a long time in the making, building upon a strong connection between the club’s Indigenous Strategy and Player Development Manager Jarred Hodges and the community.

Following several Zoom calls during the year, and sending some merchandise up north, Franklin and several players including Hayden McLean made the trip to the Top End.

“It was a great week,” McLean, who arrived in the Territory last Wednesday, said.

Lance "Buddy" Franklin travelled to Maningrida with four other Sydney Swans players. Picture: Supplied.

“We got around the community to help spread awareness ... and to basically give back.

“We want to make it a consistent thing.

“Next year again we’ll come out, maybe bring a few more boys, and do the same thing again.”

He said the players travelled around town in a bus to collect students from the local school, with all of them seated in one classroom.

Franklin helped convert a few locals into Sydney Swans supporters. Picture: Supplied.

“They were loving it,” he said of the Swans’ arrival.

“This is definitely up there, one of the best trips I’ve done.

“They welcomed us with open arms.”

The players also visited some home stations, about an hour out of town.

It wasn’t McLean’s first trip to a remote community in the NT, visiting the Tiwi Islands as an 18-year-old.

Franklin helped raise awareness about local health issues including scabies. Picture: Supplied.

He said Franklin was very popular among local residents.

“It was very good for him,” he said.

“Once we opened up to them, they opened up to us.

“It was an awesome experience ... it was good to see a lot of red and white.”

Lance “Buddy" Franklin arrives in Darwin

One of the AFL’s greatest ever players Lance “Buddy” Franklin has arrived in Darwin for a holiday and some community work in Maningrida.

Franklin, who kicked his 1000th goal in March this season, arrived at Darwin Airport just before 1pm on a flight from Brisbane and was whisked away by a representative of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, met by teeming rain outside.

A Sydney Swans spokesman said Franklin would join four other players – Braeden Campbell, Will Gould, Hayden McLean and Sam Wicks – at Maningrida to raise awareness for rheumatic heart disease and scabies and meet with children at a local school.

Franklin, who is expected to stay in the Territory for a couple of days, will not see Gary Ablett Jr’s Top End debut on November 18 against St Mary’s at TIO Stadium.

Lance "Buddy" Franklin arrives at Darwin airport. Picture: Ben Cameron.

When asked for a quick interview Franklin declined, only to say he was in the Top End for some time off.

“No thanks mate, I’m just here for a holiday,” Franklin said as he exited the airport.

Franklin made his way to the exit without being noticed by other passengers.

The 35-year-old joins a long list of AFL stars to travel to the Territory of late, with Eddie Betts and Travis Varcoe playing at Palmerston and former Port Adelaide hardman Hamish Hartlett making his debut with Nightcliff this Saturday, also against St Mary’s.

AFLNT and the RFDS has been contacted for comment.