AFL great Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin’s advice to young stars Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Harley Reid

The AFL’s biggest star has offered his advice to the young guns owning season headlines, stressing the importance of their key relationships.

AFL great Lance Franklin has stressed the importance of relationships and supportive networks for young yet high-profile stars like Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Harley Reid.

Both No. 1 picks Ugle-Hagan and Reid have owned this season’s spotlight for differing reasons.

Ugle-Hagan has been in and out of the club on a flexible training program while Reid has been under the microscope for his on-field performances.

Franklin, once the AFL’s most highest profile player, said he would take a call from Ugle-Hagan if the young Bulldog wanted advice.

Franklin said he hadn’t received any calls from players since his retirement and pressed the significance of trust within the four walls of every club.

Harley Reid was fined for a middle-finger gesture to a Brisbane Lions supporter on Sunday.

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“I think it comes back to that enjoyment factor, if you love what you do and you’re passionate about it,” he said.

“Obviously you want to stay in the game as long as possible but I was on record the other day saying the biggest thing for any young kid is having those open relationships and trust within the club and the people who are there.

“I think having the support network around you, that’s the biggest thing.

“Whether you’re high-profile or having just been drafted, you need good people around you to pull you into line when you need to be, or just be there for you when you’re playing good or whatever’s happening in your life.

“That was the biggest learning I took out of my career.”

Ugle-Hagan has been linked to a move elsewhere since the introduction of his flexible training program but one most prominently is Franklin’s former club Sydney.

Lance Franklin has stressed the importance of supportive networks to young stars Harley Reid and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Franklin denied suggestions the spotlight on players in NSW is smaller compared to Victoria, declaring Sydney is “going to another level”.

“I think the Sydney market is definitely growing, for sure, it’s huge,” he said.

“They’ve got packed stadiums every week at the SCG now, the game is going to another level up there and I think it’s been unbelievable really … it’s a great thing to see.”

Originally published as AFL great Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin’s advice to young stars Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Harley Reid