When Lance Franklin announced his retirement on Monday, July 31, he farewelled the game as a dual premiership player, eight-time All Australian and fourth on the all-time goal kicking list with 1066 goals.  

But according to Buddy, even the champion athlete had met his match on several occasions.  

In a recent interview ahead of his 350th game – fitting to revisit at this time - Franklin recalled his toughest opponents.  

Among them was Luke McPharlin who played for Fremantle between 2002 and 2015, and Franklin described as a “very, very good defender”. He also cited former Geelong defender Tom Lonergan who retired in 2017.  

“Both had my measure plenty of times over my career, so they’d definitely be my toughest,” Franklin told Sydney Swans Media.  

When it comes to his toughest teammates? Adam Goodes and Hawthorn defender Luke Hodge. Franklin played with Goodes for just two seasons – 2014 and 2015 – and admired his ability even late in his career.  

“Those two for sure stand out,” he said, “And I only played with Goodsey for two years.”  

“He would have been my age when he was finishing up. But you could just see some of the stuff he was doing even at 35, 36 was just incredible.” 

Speaking on Hodge, Franklin added, “He was just a leader that went about his business, led from the front. You knew he was going to stand up on the big occasions.” 

Following Buddy’s retirement on Monday, Goodes shared his own praise for the star forward.  

“Congratulations on an incredible career. Now’s the time to really live your life and enjoy those children of yours,” Goodes said on Swans TV.  

“Go away from the game knowing you gave it absolutely everything. Be really proud of your career.”