AFL legend Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin has rubbished rumours he is sporting a wig, adamant his new hairstyle is the real deal.
The Hawthorn and Sydney great, 38, is growing his hair and denied speculation – including from former Hawks teammate Jarryd Roughead – he is secretly wearing a piece.
‘It was quite funny I caught up with Roughie a couple of weeks ago when I was down in Melbourne…..he said all the boys think you’ve got a bit of a wig, fake hair,’ Franklin said on his new Buddy and Shane podcast with fellow footy great Shane Crawford.
‘I said absolutely not, mate. This has taken me a year to grow and I’m so happy with it. ‘Then he says (nah) you’ve got a wig. (I said) it’s mine.’
Franklin went onto state he plans to ‘go long’ and won’t be heading to the barber for a buzz cut anytime soon.
He is also pounding the pavement ahead of the New York Marathon in November.
AFL legend Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin (pictured with wife Jesinta) has rubbished rumours he is sporting a wig, adamant his new hairstyle is the real deal
Speaking on the Buddy and Shane podcast with fellow footy great Shane Crawford, Franklin confirmed he plans to ‘go long’ and won’t be heading to the barber anytime soon
Footy fans have become accustomed to the close-cropped haircut Buddy Franklin has sported for years (pictured)
‘I’m really excited about it,’ Franklin said.
‘I’ve been running for a little while now. Going down to Canberra for Mother’s Day that starts with 10km run, then we’re going to do a half marathon (on the) Gold Coast, then Alice Springs 30km run and then New York.
‘Looking forward to it, it’ll be a bit of fun. I’ve just absolutely loved putting the ear phones in and going for a run. (There is) nothing better.
‘I did (have a dodgy knee). Now that I’ve finished up (playing footy) my body is feeling pretty good which is great.
‘Running around having a kick with the kids is amazing.’
Franklin made his AFL debut in 2005 and won two flags with Hawthorn before moving to Sydney in 2014.
While he failed to win a premiership with the Swans, Franklin retired in 2023 after booting 1066 career goals from 354 games.
He now resides on the Gold Coast with wife Jesinta and their two kids, Tullulah and Rocky.
Franklin is also an ambassador for AFL Superkick, which is designed for children aged between 7 and 12 who are looking to develop their skills or picking up a footy for the first time.
