Buddy retires

[Dow]

What a champion player has been a privilege to watch him play

[Rod_]

Thanks Bud,

Father time has arrived and agree what a ride.

Well done!

[KTigers]

I think anybody who has been following the great game for a while knows just how cool it was to rock up to a game and see the
great man strutting his stuff for most of the last ten years for us. And by all reports he is a pretty decent chap as well and that
counts for something I reckon. We've done pretty well I think with big time forwards in Buddy and Plugger, two of the most
mesmerizing players to ever play the game. I will miss seeing him out there.

[grarmy]

Apparently a 3pm press conference. And yes, like others, find myself strangely emotional. We've been truly blessed to watch him play.

It is like losing a family member. That said, many terrific memories.

[ugg]

Everyone will have their fave Buddy moments, but this is always one of mine.

The top of table clash against Port in 2014 when he kicked five. Everyone remembers the bomb from 70m, but I reckon the next goal he kicked, dancing round a few and then going bang from 50, was even better. Had a great view of it from our seats too. Just shake your head stuff.

SwansTV: Buddy highlights v Port Adelaide R13 - YouTube

Can remember it like it was yesterday. The atmosphere at the ground was electric

[lwjoyner]

remakable how lose the numbers are bwteen swans and hawks (9 years hawks, 10swans), 182 games hawks 172 swans, 475 goals hawks 51 the biggest defferential) for swans What agreat player only one better for swans in my eyes was RJ Skilton but newveretheless a great swans.

[wolftone57]

Been a wonderful player. The best ever probably. He will automatically go into the AFL Hall of Fame as a Legend.

When a player starts to get niggles every week it is a sign the end is near. This week would be a good time for our young forwards to put on an exhibition for Bud

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[jono2707]

Thanks Buddy.

[Goal Sneak]

He's an amazing talent. The fact he was at the top of the game for so long only reinforces what a special player he is. So many talented sports people go on to waste their natural ability but Bud never took his opportunity for granted. We have just witnessed one of the all time greats. Cheers Bud.

[dejavoodoo44]

Always a bit of a shame when a great public career ends and the realisation comes that time has caught another one and their own particular magic is no longer going to be produced. Though I'm sorta glad that he retired this season, rather than stretching it out another season, where there was a strong possibility that he might have ended up hobbling around in the VFL.

And I think it's also nice that he was playing well on Saturday, possibly even trying a new role of running further into the midfield and supplying raking kicks into the deep forward pairing of Amartey and McDonald. Which if correct, reflects well on him and his willingness to try something new in his 19th season. Would have liked to have seen that working in a finals run, but hey, it's now up to the other forwards to carry the load, and I'm sure they all would have learnt plenty from him over the years.

As far as memories go, I think I'll go for one that's strong, because it's been imprinted over and over again. That is, feeling quite confident, when he lined in the Buddy zone, of around 50-60 metres out on the left half forward flank, then watching the ball sail through about three quarter post height, with his odd right to left fade, bringing the ball back over the goal umpire's head.

[Jimitron5000]

Sad news, but not unexpected. What a fantastic player he has been and we have been fortunate to watch him run around for the Swans.
I was reminded of a conversation I was having with my uncle when we recruited him. I was being all earnest and worrying about his impact on the style of play and how his salary would affect other players and our Bloods culture. My uncle told me stop being a @@@@@head, and then went on to say that Buddy is one the best he had ever seen and it will privilege to watch him wearing red and white. He was bang on.

I wish him and his family all the best for the future, and hopefully his offspring, wearing red and white, will be more Gary Ablett Jnr than Nathan Ablett.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Always a bit of a shame when a great public career ends and the realisation comes that time has caught another one and their own particular magic is no longer going to be produced. Though I'm sorta glad that he retired this season, rather than stretching it out another season, where there was a strong possibility that he might have ended up hobbling around in the VFL.

And I think it's also nice that he was playing well on Saturday, possibly even trying a new role of running further into the midfield and supplying raking kicks into the deep forward pairing of Amartey and McDonald. Which if correct, reflects well on him and his willingness to try something new in his 19th season. Would have liked to have seen that working in a finals run, but hey, it's now up to the other forwards to carry the load, and I'm sure they all would have learnt plenty from him over the years.

As far as memories go, I think I'll go for one that's strong, because it's been imprinted over and over again. That is, feeling quite confident, when he lined in the Buddy zone, of around 50-60 metres out on the left half forward flank, then watching the ball sail through about three quarter post height, with his odd right to left fade, bringing the ball back over the goal umpire's head.

Great call. And here you go - jumped to 25 secs in, and there one is.

Lance Franklin 2016 Highlight Reel - YouTube

[Kafka's Ghost]

Buddy retires

What an absolute privilege it’s been to not only see Buddy play, but play for us! So many highlights, so many great moments. One I’ll always remember was a tight game against the Giants, out at Homebush, when he kicked an absolute pearler from the 50m line, right on the boundary. It was just perfection, and watching it sail over the defenders’ heads, I turned to my mate and said “Lance Franklin is an absolute genius”. How lucky to have seen that genius close up, week in and week out for so long. Thanks Buddy, you’ve given us so much joy.


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[i'm-uninformed2]

What an absolute privilege it’s been to not only see Buddy play, but play for us! So many highlights, so many great moments. One I’ll always remember was a tight game against the Giants, out at Homebush, when he kicked an absolute pearler from the 50m line, right on the boundary. It was just perfection, and watching it sail over the defenders’ heads, I turned to my mate and said “Lance Franklin is an absolute genius”. How lucky to have seen that genius close up, week in and week out for so long. Thanks Buddy, you’ve given us so much joy.


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The one at 8.31 in here? Just magic

Lance Franklin 2017 Highlights - YouTube

[Danzar]

The one at 8.31 in here? Just magic

Lance Franklin 2017 Highlights - YouTube

Fitting that one was on Davis too, one of the few that could keep him in check