Lance Franklin has new AFL goal
The AFL legend has become an ambassador for the new Superkick program and wants to inspire the next generation of stars.
7news.com.auHere’s the latest I can share directly: Lance “Buddy” Franklin, a legendary AFL forward, retired from top-level football in 2023 after an illustrious 19-season career, finishing as one of the league’s all-time great goalkickers. Since retirement, there have been occasional mentions of him involving charity work, media appearances, and interest in returning to football in some capacity, but there is no current confirmation of him returning to professional AFL play as of May 2026. In March 2026 there were reports about Franklin exploring a return to football at a junior level in Western Australia, but this would be at the amateur/junior level and not a return to professional AFL competition.[2][3][4]
Key points
- Retirement: Announced mid-2023 after a long AFL career with Hawthorn and Sydney, ending with 1066 career goals (fourth all-time at the time).[2]
- Post-retirement activity: Public appearances, ambassador roles, and charity/club-related initiatives have continued; no confirmed AFL comeback as of mid-2026.[3][8]
- Recent notes: In 2026, there was reporting about a potential return to WA junior football with the Dowerin Tigers, aimed at a charity-driven fundraiser, but this is not a return to the AFL level.[4]
If you’d like, I can pull the most up-to-date articles and summarize any recent developments for you, or focus on a specific aspect (career highlights, post-retirement activities, or verification of any comeback rumors). I can also provide a quick timeline of his career milestones and notable moments.