Buddy Franklin and Jesinta in massive revelation over retirement act
The high-profile duo often keep their children out of the spotlight.
AFL legend Buddy Franklin and wife Jesinta Franklin have opened up on his decision to remain out of the public spotlight during his retirement after an iconic career. Franklin stunned the AFL world earlier this year Franklin when he unknowingly played in his last game having sustained a calf injury, which prompted him to call time on his AFL career.
Franklin was granted a legend's farewell at the Sydney Cricket Ground in August having played 354 games and kicked 1066 goals for the Hawks and the Swans, finishing as the fourth highest goal-kicker in the game's history.
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However, while Franklin's children appeared during his farewell ceremony it wasn't always to be the case with Buddy and Jesinta often keeping their children out of the public eye. Jesinta has more than 370,000 Instagram followers, but photos of her children are not featured.
The duo keep their family life private and ahead of Franklin's half-time farewell celebration there was talks of the Swans legend would 'snub' the game where Sydney were planning to give him a legend's sendoff. Franklin has admitted he was attending the farewell, but his children were not originally going to be a part of the ceremony.
However, in beautiful scenes, children Tullulah and Rocky accompanied Buddy and Jesinta as they enjoyed a lap of honour around the stadium. "I was a bit overwhelmed by the situation. It was a lot for me mentally and the best thing for me was to be with my family," Franklin said in an interview for Stellar Magazine with The Daily Telegraph.
“It was a huge decision because we don’t share pictures of our (children’s faces) on Instagram. But the best thing for me and Jesinta and the family was to have (them) out there with me and they definitely helped me through it, that’s for sure."
Jesinta added that there was talks Franklin would 'snub' the game, but people didn't understand his off field nature. “There was a lot of commentary in the media around him snubbing the game. But I think what a lot of people don’t realise is that Buddy on the football field is quite different to Bud off the football field. He’s extremely humble and doesn’t like anything to be about himself," she added.
Buddy Franklin misses AFL grand final day
Ahead of the AFL grand final, boss Gillon McLachlan called for Franklin to show up for the celebrations after singing the retired great's praise in a press conference. While McLachlan was hoping the great would be there to say goodbye to the game as a whole, Franklin opted to skip the farewell.
Jesinta, Buddy and the children have since moved to the Gold Coast after finishing up with the Swans. Franklin said goodbye to an adoring Sydney Swans crowd in August, which saw him break down to tears while holding his children during the beautiful farewell. "A lot of happiness, a little bit of sadness. It's all come to an end...little bit overwhelmed," Franklin said to Channel 7.
"A long time of playing footy. It is absolutely incredible to see our fans out here today." Franklin said he was going to miss the day-to-day life of an AFL player in retirement: "Just playing footy, mate. I'm going to miss that."
During his lap of honour, Channel 7 commentator Luke Darcy lauded the atmosphere created at the iconic venue. “Only six players have got to the 1000 goal club and Buddy Franklin’s legacy will be as one of the greatest we have ever seen, and what a moment this is to see him with a full house at the SCG,” he said.
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