For nearly 20 years, Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin captivated audiences across Australia, becoming one of the most iconic figures in the world of AFL, with his performances drawing roaring crowds and crafting unforgettable moments in the sport’s annals.
Today, however, the scene has shifted dramatically for the sports legend. No longer scoring goals in front of tens of thousands, Franklin now enjoys the simpler pleasures of life—changing nappies, feeding farm animals, and joining his kids at the breakfast table.
The transition from the bright lights of football to a tranquil existence on a rural property in southeast Queensland has been a welcome change for Franklin. Alongside his wife Jesinta and their three children, he has embraced this new chapter with enthusiasm.
Reflecting on his post-retirement life, the 39-year-old former athlete shared how he has discovered a profound sense of fulfillment away from the game’s constant demands.
“I loved playing football, I’ll never say I didn’t,” Franklin confided to News Corp, underscoring the joy he once found on the field while acknowledging the deeper satisfaction he now experiences off it.
Buddy Franklin has traded packed stadiums for paddocks and family life in the Gold Coast hinterland
Buddy and Jesinta Franklin moved their young family to acreage in southeast Queensland
The former Sydney Swans star now spends much of his time with children Tallulah, Rocky and BamÂ
‘But this … this is better for me.’
The Franklins have settled on acreage near the Coomera River in the Gold Coast hinterland, where they are preparing to build a new family home after leaving Sydney behind.
The move represented a return to the kind of upbringing both Buddy and Jesinta experienced as children.
Franklin grew up in the small Wheatbelt town of Dowerin in Western Australia, while Jesinta spent her childhood in the Gold Coast hinterland community of Clagiraba.
Together they wanted to give their children a similar lifestyle, one built around open space, animals and independence.
Last month, Jesinta revealed the couple had deliberately chosen a farm lifestyle for Tallulah, Rocky and baby Bam because they believed it offered the best environment for young children.
‘There’s no better way to grow up,’ Franklin previously said.
The youngest member of the family, Bam, arrived in December last year and was named after Miami Heat NBA star Bam Adebayo after Buddy heard the name while watching basketball during Jesinta’s pregnancy.
The couple want their children to enjoy the same country upbringing they experiencedÂ
The former Hawthorn champion has taken up running, beekeeping and farm life after retirement
Away from football, Franklin has embraced his new role as a full-time father.
After retiring, Jesinta encouraged him to take a year before deciding what came next rather than rushing into media commitments or coaching roles.
The former Hawthorn and Sydney superstar agreed, and the arrangement quickly became a success.
While Jesinta focused on expanding her business interests and media commitments, Franklin took charge of many of the day-to-day parenting duties.
School drop-offs, scraped knees, finding missing gumboots and changing nappies have replaced training sessions and game-day preparation.
‘I’ve loved it,’ Franklin said.
‘Don’t get me wrong, I loved playing footy, but I’ve seen the older kids grow up spending nearly every day with them.’
The transition was not without challenges.
The former superstar is now involved with Honey for Life alongside wife Jesinta Franklin
Buddy and Jesinta wanted open space, animals and independence for their growing family
Franklin admitted retirement initially proved difficult as he adjusted to life without the routine, purpose and camaraderie that comes with professional sport.
He noted that many former players struggle after leaving the game, particularly when they have spent most of their adult lives inside elite sporting environments.
For Franklin, stepping away also meant leaving behind a level of public attention few Australian athletes have ever experienced.
The former forward was one of the AFL’s biggest drawcards throughout his career, with crowds regularly flocking to stadiums hoping to witness another piece of Buddy magic.
His 1000th career goal at the SCG in 2022 remains one of the most iconic moments in modern Australian sport, triggering a famous crowd invasion as thousands of fans flooded onto the ground.
But the constant attention could also be overwhelming.
Franklin admitted he sometimes struggled with the level of public scrutiny when he was younger, particularly when supporters approached him unexpectedly.
Life in the country has provided a very different environment.
Franklin and Jesinta welcomed their third child, Bam, in December last year
Instead of packed stadiums and media commitments, the family now spend much of their time outdoors on their property, where Franklin has developed interests in running, beekeeping and farming.
The couple have also invested in Honey for Life and have become ambassadors for health and wellness initiatives through insurer AIA.
Despite enjoying retirement, Franklin’s connection to football remains strong.
Last year he returned to his hometown of Dowerin to play in a charity football match that attracted thousands of spectators and raised more than $200,000 for local sporting facilities.
The reception served as a reminder that while Buddy Franklin may have left the AFL, his standing in the game remains enormous.
Yet the man who once carried the expectations of clubs, supporters and entire states appears content with a much simpler role these days.
For one of the greatest forwards football has ever produced, life as a stay-at-home dad has proven to be every bit as rewarding as life as an AFL superstar.