Lance 'Buddy' Franklin retires from footy effective immediately after legendary AFL career for Sydney and Hawthorn

Sydney and Hawthorn great Lance Franklin has announced his retirement and will not play another game of AFL after being injured in the Swans’ loss to Essendon on Sunday.

The 36-year-old’s exit from the sport will be officially announced by Sydney on Monday afternoon after the forward reportedly told teammates of his decision earlier in the day.

Franklin posted a brief message of gratitude on Instagram shortly after the news became public.

‘What a journey. Thanks to everyone who has been on this crazy ride with me,’ he wrote, accompanied by a love heart emoji.

Franklin cut a dejected figure after being subbed off with a calf injury against Essendon on Saturday (pictured) in an unwanted end to his last ever game of AFL 

The iconic forward (pictured playing against Essendong) appeared to have turned his season around after missing several games with injury and suffering a dip in form earlier in the year 

The ex-Hawk injured his calf muscle against the Bombers and took no further part in the match after being subbed off in the second quarter. 

Franklin, who won a premiership with the Hawks in 2008 and another with Sydney in 2013, will go down as one of the greatest players in the history of Aussie Rules football.

He’s now ranked fourth among the all-time list of AFL and VFL goalkickers with 1066 majors from his 354 games, with his 1000th goal setting off wild scenes as fans flooded the SCG during the Swans’ clash with Geelong in March last year.

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The West Australian stunned the game at the end of the 2013 season by signing a massive nine-year deal with the Swans.

He missed games earlier this season while struggling with injury and suffered a dip in form, leading his wife Jesinta to blast rumours his game against Richmond on July 6 would be his last at the MCG.

Those rumours have now become a sad truth for footy fans of all stripes.

Rumours have been spreading all year that this season would be Franklin’s last – and now they’ve become a sad truth for footy fans of all stripes

Footy great Leigh Montagna said Sydney should have announced Franklin’s retirement back in May after the former Hawk had just four disposals and went goalless in a loss to Fremantle at the SCG.

He was joined by Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton, who said Franklin had lost all his weapons and will continue to be beaten by faster, more agile opponents after seeing him struggle against the Dockers.

‘It’s a little sad. You’ve got your weapons as a footballer. Your brain is fantastic, you know how to play. But his weapons have always been his incredible agility, his incredible pace for someone with incredible size.

However, Franklin had found better form recently, kicking two goals against Richmond with 15 disposals, two goals and 12 disposals against the Dogs, followed by three majors and 11 disposals in last Saturday’s away win over Fremantle. 

He finished his final game against the Bombers with just three disposals, two marks and one handball.

More to come…