‘Selling up’: Buddy, Jesinta Franklin set for huge family move

Buddy Franklin is less than a full year into retirement and the AFL legend’s wife Jesinta has revealed the pair are already set for a big change.

Less than a year after his retirement, Buddy Franklin is seemingly already preparing for a treechange.

One of the modern legends of the game and believed to likely be the last player to boot more than 1000 goals, Franklin left the stage with remarkably little fanfare.

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Not one to covet media opportunities, Franklin didn’t even turn up to his retirement press conference, retiring immediately after suffering a calf injury.

While the Swans and Hawthorn have convinced Franklin to return for a farewell, Franklin has largely been able to keep out of the spotlight, having relocated to the Gold Coast with his wife Jesinta and their two children.

Although the Suns reached out to Franklin, hoping to lure him into an off-field role, it appears more and more unlikely to happen with Jesinta telling Channel 7’s The Morning Show on Monday that the pair were considering going bush despite enjoying life in their dream home.

“We love it. We absolutely love it. We’re actually thinking of selling up and buying a farm now, so yeah, we’ll see how we go,” Jesinta said.

“But that could be the next thing we’re talking about the next time I’m here. Potentially (we could sell the dream home). I mean, yes.

“We just love the idea of being on land, growing our own food, having horses, a couple of Highland cows, we’d love that. It could be something interesting.”

Buddy and Jesinta are considering moving bush. Picture: Jason Edwards

Franklin did farewell Hawks fans at the MCG just two weeks ago when Hawthorn played the Swans.

But while Franklin shuns the spotlight, he hasn’t completely given up the game according to his wife.

“We’re getting so much quality time together and we always make sure that we watch the Swannies and the Hawks games,” Jesinta said of their weekends since Franklin retired.

“There’s those two games we carve out the time out for and watch them.

“So we still feel like we’re a little bit a part of it but it’s nice not to be stressed out by it or have the pressure of winning or losing.”

Jesinta, who was crowned Miss Universe Australia and finishing second runner up in the Miss Universe pageant, married Franklin in 2016.

But being one of the greatest of all-time left less time for Jesinta’s career as the couple’s family began to grow.

Hawks fans had a chance to say thank you and goodbye. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Buddy largely disappeared after his retirement. Photo by Phil Hillyard

However, she said the roles had shifted in recent times, including revealing she’d be sent a picture of Buddy vacuuming just before her appearance on the show.

“Look, we’re still working on picking up our dirty laundry and learning to put them in the basket,” Jesinta said.

“But no, other than that it’s so nice to have him around. It’s so nice to have that extra support at home as well.

“For so long I was the support system to him because footy always came first and there was just not a lot of room in his schedule to move.

“Now it’s really nice to have that reciprocated so I can do a little bit more with my career and he can be at home with the kids.”

Between 2005 and 2013, Franklin kicked 580 goals in 182 games, before adding 486 more in 172 games for the Swans for a total of 1066 in 354 games.

He also won two premierships and lost one with Hawthorn, playing in three more losing grand finals for the Swans and ending his career as an eight-time All-Australian.

Originally published as ‘Selling up’: Buddy, Jesinta Franklin set for huge family move