Buddy Franklin reveals surprising new sports career move after retiring from football: 'I have started training'
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He was one of the AFLs greatest players. And now Lance 'Buddy' Franklin has announced he is getting ready to strap on the boots again, but this time for marathon running. 'I think once you finish (a sporting career) you always need a challenge,' the former Swans champ said.
![[The former footy star enjoyed one of the best careers the game has ever seen before quitting the sport in July 2023 following a calf injury]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/18/14/88470793-14299475-The_footy_legend_retired_from_the_AFL_last_year_but_is_back_invo-a-55_1737210821461.jpg)
Lance, who is known professionally and to his fans as Buddy, made the comments in a new interview with the Herald Sun on Saturday. The hulking former forward, who kicked more than 1000 goals in first class footy over 18 years, gushed about his new plans to take to the demanding world of the long distance track.
![[it comes after Buddy's wife Jesinta (left) revealed plans to relist the couples lavish Gold Coast mansion after it failed to sell at auction at the end of of 2024]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/18/14/94239205-14299475-The_former_footy_star_enjoyed_one_of_the_best_careers_the_game_h-a-56_1737210883471.jpg)
'Having played football professionally for so long this is something I am really looking forward to, I can challenge myself mentally and physically and see how I go' he said. Former AFL great Lance 'Buddy' Franklin (pictured) has announced he is getting ready to strap on the boots again, but this time for marathon running.
Elsewhere in the chat, Buddy revealed he had plans to compete at the Los Angeles marathon. But he said that given the situation with the wildfires, he now is not certain whether the run will go ahead. He commented: 'That was all locked in to do, so we are looking at doing something else (a different marathon) at the moment, which will be exciting. I have started training, I am only a couple of weeks in, so the next few months will be interesting.'.
The former footy star enjoyed one of the best careers the game has ever seen before quitting the sport in July 2023 following a calf injury. Buddy's exit from the AFL was officially announced by the club after the forward told teammates of his decision.
