AFL 2023: Coaches and teammates open up on Lance Franklin and his retirement

When Sydney coach John Longmire started crying speaking about Lance Franklin’s retirement on Monday, there soon wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Teammate Isaac Heeney opens up on why.

Lance Franklin has retired. Picture: Getty Images

• Pictures: Buddy’s emotional goodbye, greatest moments

Lance Franklin was never someone who would give up without a fight.

Whether it be coming back from injury on the footy field or playing ping pong against his mates, footy’s record-breaker always had to find a way to finish on top.

That’s why there were so many emotions at Swans HQ when the superstar forward confirmed he had played his final game in the AFL.

“I got him a couple of times (at ping pong) when I played a bit, but when he’s on a roll he’s hard to stop,” said Isaac Heeney.

“He kept doubling down until he wins. He’d never actually come out on the bottom.”

The 36-year-old addressed teammates on Monday alongside his family, and it quickly became clear there wouldn’t be a dry eye left in the room.

His retirement started immediately. John Longmire confirmed that he would step away from footy for the rest of the season, while Longmire and CEO Tom Harley were left to address the media.

That came as no surprise to those who know him best.

Lance Franklin with John Longmire after announcing his retirement. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“He’s quiet, as the media sees, he keeps to himself,” said Heeney.

Franklin came from the field in the second quarter against Essendon last Saturday with calf tightness. Scans confirmed he was set for at least six weeks on the sidelines and it was a final recovery just out of reach for one of the greatest forwards to play the game.

“I think there’s no other way to explain it than it was emotional,” said Heeney.

“Everyone at the club thinks he’s the best player to play the game and feels extremely grateful to have played alongside someone like that.

“Horse (Longmire), once he (teared up) a few of the other boys followed.

“It was a tough one and not one you look forward to, especially ending with an injury. But you look past that and the career he’s had, the legacy he’s left, it’s special.”

This was not the way Franklin wanted to finish his career.

He was devastated when he phoned Longmire to inform him of his retirement on Sunday and after taking one more night to consider his options, it became an easy decision.

“I went to his place this morning (Monday),” Longmire said. “He said, ‘I’m done’.

“And I think that’s the best way to do it is to call it now.

“He moves on to the next phase of his life, so we’re very lucky to experience one of the all-time greats.

“I don’t think you ever fill a gap left by Lance Franklin.”

Isaac Heeney (No. 5) was one of the first Swans to get to Franklin after he kicked his 1000th goal. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Attention will soon turn to how the Swans replace a player of Franklin’s stature both on and off the field. But for now, they know it’s time to reflect on a 19-year career that included 354 games, 1066 goals and a lifetime of memories.

“Around the club and with the boys, he’s a serious leader. He’s the nicest, most humble bloke you can imagine,” said Heeney.

“He could have the biggest head in the world because he’s done the most anyone’s ever done.

“The 1000th goal at the SCG, that’s my favourite ever footy moment. I was lucky enough to be right next to him. Everyone stormed the field and it’s something that will never happen again.

“To be able to play my first game with him and play in his last game is something I’ll cherish.”

The whirlwind 24 hours that led to Buddy’s big call

An emotional conversation with John Longmire was the start of a whirlwind 24 hours that confirmed Buddy Franklin’s retirement from the AFL.

After suffering a calf injury in Saturday’s game against Essendon, Franklin had scans on Sunday and one of his first calls when learning of the diagnosis was to his coach.

“(We) got some news last night after he had his scan that it was probably going to be a six-week scenario with his calf, six to eight,” Longmire said.

“He rang me, I was sitting on the plane (and) he was pretty emotional and devastated that could be the way it finished. It certainly sounded like he made the call there and then. I said to just have a sleep on it and we’ll chat this morning.

“I went to his place this morning (Monday), he had a good night’s sleep, and felt a lot better, but he made the decision clearly.”

Lance Franklin during his last AFL game on Saturday night. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

And Buddy in his first season at Hawthorn.

Franklin recalled a similar calf injury one pre-season that took him nearly three months to recover and it wasn’t a process he wanted to go through again.

“He said, ‘I’m done’,” Longmire said.

“And I think the best way to do it is to call it now and he wanted to come in and speak to his teammates which he’s done.

“He moves on to the next phase of his life, so we’re very lucky to experience one of the all-time greats. I think we’re all grateful for watching him.”

Franklin didn’t appear at the press conference on Monday afternoon, opting against discussing the decision openly.

Coach John Longmire and Sydney CEO Tom Harley instead addressed the media at Swans HQ.

Following his much-publicised move to Sydney ahead of the 2014 season, Longmire reflected on the fanfare that followed – including the unusual sight of news helicopters filming Swans’ training sessions.

But Longmire’s main memories are of the incredible standards Franklin set every day, no matter the location.

“He’s one of the most competitive people I’ve ever met,” Longmire said.

“Whether it’s a game of AFL, at training or on a table tennis table.

“From the moment he walked in here, his ability on the training track to do what he did and then to see him in games … he’s one of the all-time greats.”

Alastair Clarkson, the man who oversaw the first half of Franklin’s remarkable AFL career, says the goalkicking great’s modern feats are “a current day watermark” that will never be surpassed.

Clarkson said he will forever be honoured to have played a part in Franklin’s 354-game, 1066-goal AFL career, having coached him for nine seasons at Hawthorn before his departure to Sydney at the end of the 2013 season.

“He has set a current day watermark that I believe will be unsurpassed, and the game will miss his theatre and drawing power,” Clarkson said.

“I feel privileged to share some of his journey. I know his Hawks teammates feel exactly the same.”

Clarkson said he had always enjoyed working with Franklin and loved watching him evolve as a player, even when he left for the Swans.

“His feats as a player are extraordinary, and this has run parallel to his emergence as a great husband, father and mate,” Clarkson said.

“He is selfless, humble, loyal and proud.”

Franklin was coached by only two men in his AFL career – Clarkson and Clarkson’s former Kangaroos teammate and friend Longmire.

“It’s quite unique that over a twenty year career, Bud only had two coaches,” he said.

“It speaks of his loyalty, dedication and mateship that he retires an icon of the game, and a hero of two clubs that he helped make great in his time at each.”

Franklin with coach John Longmire and his wife Jesinta after addressing the players. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Franklin retires after 354 games and 1066 goals. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Franklin hugs teammate Joel Amartey. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Longmire also confirmed that Franklin will take an immediate break from footy and won’t be around the team as they make their late-season charge for finals.

However, emotions were high as he addressed the players at 12.30pm on Monday and the club farewelled one of the greatest to ever play for the Swans.

“He came in and spoke to the players … and they all gave him a hug,” Longmire said.

“He said missing the players would be a real challenge because he loves being in the locker room with the boys and loves competing on weekends, but there comes a time [to call it].

“I don’t think you ever fill a gap left by Lance Franklin.”

Franklin hinted late last year that he was playing one final season when he signed a one-year contract with the Swans and despite speculation he could play on, his 18th season will be his last, drawing his career to a close after 354 games and 1066 goals.

Franklin became a true football legend last year when he booted his 1000th goal, becoming just the sixth player in VFL/AFL history.

He played 182 games and booted 580 goals for Hawthorn, where he won two premierships.

Franklin then crossed to Sydney at the end of 2013 and has played 172 games in red and white, booting a further 486 goals.

Originally published as AFL 2023: Coaches and teammates open up on Lance Franklin and his retirement