Buddy – one of the all time greats

BY – JACKSON CLARK

TWITTER – @JCLARK182

Football fans have the tendency to overlook its current champions when comparing with legends of yesteryear.

Most pundits concede that Gary Ablett junior will be looked upon as a legend of the sport once he calls time on his illustrious career.

But one player that could enter the conversation of ‘the greatest footballers of all time’ is a man known as Buddy.

Lance Franklin is a remarkable footballer and the best forward of his generation.

Will he ever reach the revered heights of the universally regarded top echelon of players in Wayne Carey, Leigh Matthews and Gary Ablett senior?

Perhaps not, but it is certainly a possibility.

Franklin has kicked 729 in his 227 games, won two premierships and is a five-time All-Australian.

Despite many years still remaining on the controversial and lucrative contract he signed at Sydney, he is unlikely to catch Tony Lockett, Gordon Coventry or Jason Dunstall in terms of raw goal kicking numbers.

But we need to remember that with rolling defences and more tactical coaches, football is a vastly different game nowadays.

Even when assessing his numbers conservatively, it is likely that he will end up with 300+ games and 1000+ goals.

His game-breaking ability is unrivalled by the competition’s other key forwards with his rare combination of size, skill and athleticism.

Franklin is also a superb finals player.

As a 20-year-old he single-handedly won Hawthorn an elimination final in one of the more influential individual quarters of football you are likely to see.

Only time will tell where he places amongst the game’s all-time greats, but for now just sit back and enjoy the show.

About Jackson Clark

Born and bred in Darwin, Northern Territory, I am a young, aspiring football writer that lives and breathes the game of Australian Football. I'm also a keen player and coach.

Comments

  1. A little way to go yet for Buddy, in my opinion.
    But, Jackson, I reckon whether or not his body can hold out will be one of the determining factors of his status in the final analysis.

  2. Steve Hodder says

    Nah, disagree Smokie. Live in the now. Buddy is brilliant. Was brilliant as a Mustardpot and still brilliant now. Should always be regarded as brilliant. Better than Carey, maybe as good as Royce Hart? Truly that good. If his career stopped now (touch wood it doesn’t happen) he would rate as good as any centre half forward since television happened.

    onya

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