Footy fans make wild claim as AFL legend Buddy Franklin debuts a radical new look

Importance Score: 6 / 100 🟠

AFL Icon Lance Franklin Debuts Striking New Hairstyle, Igniting Fan Frenzy

Australian Rules Football legend Lance “Buddy” Franklin, a celebrated figure from both Hawthorn and Sydney Swans, has unveiled a surprising change to his appearance, two years into his retirement from the sport. A recent social media post by his wife, Jesinta Franklin, showcased the former AFL star sporting a dramatically different hairstyle, sparking lively discussions among fans.

New Look for Retired Football Star

Far removed from the familiar close-cropped haircuts of his playing days, Franklin is now sporting longer hair, styled back from his forehead. This fresh look, revealed in a photo shared online, marks a significant departure from his previously well-known image and has captured the attention of the AFL community.

Social Media Buzz Over Franklin’s Transformation

Jesinta Franklin introduced her husband’s updated style to Instagram followers on Wednesday. The image depicted a bearded Lance embracing her, accompanied by a simple caption of “Happy” alongside emoji icons – a smiley face, a palm tree, and a cocktail glass.

The online reaction was immediate and enthusiastic. Comments poured in, with fans expressing admiration for Franklin’s hair. Remarks such as “Loving Buddy’s hair!” and admiring mentions of his “luscious locks” were prevalent. However, some online commentators speculated, without evidence, that Franklin’s new hairstyle could be the result of a hair transplant procedure, referencing Turkey as a popular destination for such treatments.

Dismissing Hair Transplant Speculation

A review of the premiership-winning athlete’s hairstyles throughout his career reveals that while Franklin has often favored a shaved head, there has been no indication of male pattern baldness. This renders the speculation regarding hair transplants as completely unfounded and without merit.

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Jesinta Franklin’s Post Hints at Family Downtime

Jesinta’s social media update seemingly suggests that the couple is enjoying a well-deserved respite. This follows a recent heartfelt message from Jesinta, where she openly shared the demanding realities of motherhood, sparking expressions of support and understanding from her followers.

Lance and Jesinta Franklin
Lance Franklin showcases a significant change from his typical hairstyle in a photo shared by his wife Jesinta (pictured together) on Instagram.
Lance Franklin's previous hairstyle
The new hairstyle is a marked contrast to the closely cropped style fans have become accustomed to seeing Franklin sport for many years.

Motherhood Challenges Shared by Jesinta

The 33-year-old model and media personality recently posted a bathroom selfie on social media, appearing visibly tired and weary as she looked at her phone. Dressed casually in a grey long-sleeved T-shirt and pajama bottoms, she presented a stark contrast to her usual glamorous public image.

Jesinta’s caption accompanying the photo conveyed a sense of exhaustion, stating she was “Easily the most sleep deprived I’ve been since the kids were newborns.”

Expanding further, the Gold Coast native explained feelings of being overwhelmed by her numerous commitments. “Kids, sickness, emergency room visits with ear infections, huge work load, early starts, kids not sleeping,” she detailed her recent experiences.

She extended encouragement to fellow mothers, adding, “Shout out to all the mummas showing up every day, look after yourselves. The juggle has been absolutely intense the last week.”

Jesinta and Lance Franklin are parents to daughter Tullulah, four, and son Rocky, three.

Throwback to Franklin’s 1000th Goal Milestone

Prior to sharing her motherhood experiences and Buddy’s new look, Jesinta offered football enthusiasts a nostalgic glimpse into the momentous night Lance achieved his 1000th AFL goal at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Lance and Jesinta Franklin
Some commenters on the post jokingly suggested Lance might have visited Turkey for a hair transplant – a popular choice for men seeking hair restoration – despite the fact that the Hawthorn and Swans legend (pictured with Jesinta) has never exhibited any signs of hair loss.

“The most insane moment. Still remember it like yesterday,” she reminisced over a video clip capturing the extraordinary scene of thousands of supporters engulfing her husband on the field following the historic goal in March 2022.

In another post, Jesinta shared a picture of herself pushing a stroller across a deserted SCG late at night, captioned: “Leaving the ground well after midnight…. moments like these I can’t wait to tell the kids about.”

This was followed by an image of her cradling her son Rocky in an elevator, with the young boy proudly wearing a Swans jersey emblazoned with ‘DADDY’ and Franklin’s iconic number 23 on the back.

“Not every day was as special as the 1000 goal night, when it came to football but those moments sure did make all the harder things all worth it,” she reflected on the family’s experiences during Franklin’s career.

She concluded her reflection with an affectionate message: “These kids are lucky to have you as their daddy @buddy_franklin23 – we have lots of amazing stories to share with them!”

“This [photo] was taken just before 1am when we finally got home. Core memories that will last a lifetime.”

“It was exhausting taking the kids to the games but in hindsight I am sooo glad I always made the effort for them, it will be special to look back on.”


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