Lance Franklin will go down in history as one of the greatest footballers to ever lace up a pair of boots.
The 354 gamer has called time on his career, one full of accomplishments that most players can only dream of. A two-time premiership player with Hawthorn, eight-time All-Australian, including a captaincy role in 2018, four-time Coleman Medalist, and a leading goalscorer at both Hawthorn and Sydney a combined total of 13 times.
And at the age 35, 'Buddy' kicked his 1000th AFL career goal, an achievement only accomplished by five other players - Tony Lockett, Gordon Coventry, Jason Dunstall, Gary Ablett Sr and Doug Wade.
The man has one of the lengthiest and most impressive highlight reels ever. It's almost impossible to cut his moments down to a handful but here are five that seriously stand out.
4. THAT goal against Essendon
Despite Cale Hooker being a solid player over the course of his career, unfortunately, he will forever be remembered for a highlight that wasn't even his. In Round 13 of the 2010 season, Franklin collected possession of the ball around halfway up the ground, Hooker hot on his tail.
The Dons defender desperately tried to keep up as 'Buddy' charged towards the goal, but he simply couldn't. Franklin was too quick. Taking three bounces, Buddy slowed slightly as he hit the 50-metre line before swiftly kicking the goal. The craziest part of the goal was that he never centred himself, rather running further into the pocket making the already difficult task veer closer to impossible.
That was just the kind of player 'Buddy' was, he did the impossible. No matter how ludicrous an opportunity seemed to be, he could make it a reality.
