Lance Franklin, one of the greatest players of all time, kicked his 1,000th AFL goal against Geelong on Friday night to join footy's most exclusive club.
It's an extraordinary feat for a player who has spent his entire career in a defensive-minded era of footy, where kicking bags of goals akin to what was seen more regularly in the '80s and '90s is much harder achieve.
Franklin becomes just the sixth player in the history of the game to reach the landmark milestone, and he may prove to be the last to do it.
It was an amazing moment treasured by all footy lovers and one that sent social media into a frenzy, with fans, clubs, teammates and competitors all reacting with applause to the rare accomplishment.
Follow along below for some of the remarkable SCG scenes on a history-making night.
1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ 🥳
— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) March 25, 2022
UNBELIEVEABLE SCENES AT THE SCG AS BUDDY BECOMES THE SIXTH AFL/VFL PLAYER TO KICK 1000 GOALS! pic.twitter.com/XraprXeXbW
THE MOMENT 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ ❤️
— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) March 25, 2022
An #SCTop10 LOCK as Lance Franklin becomes the sixth man to kick 1000 VFL/AFL goals.
(via @7AFL) pic.twitter.com/5btXuVPuiq
😭😭😭 #Buddy1000 pic.twitter.com/Xmdn1T3KN8
— 7AFL (@7AFL) March 25, 2022
UNREAL#Buddy1000 pic.twitter.com/qaPY0WuRUj
— Jake Michaels (@JMichaelsESPN) March 25, 2022
In the arms of teammates. Soaking up every single bit of this. #Buddy1000 | #AFLSwansCats pic.twitter.com/tpe1vXajkc
— AFL (@AFL) March 25, 2022
HISTORY
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) March 25, 2022
Lance Franklin becomes just the sixth player to kick 1000 goals in an AFL/VFL career. #Buddy1000 #Bloods pic.twitter.com/C4PryTJ49g
UnBUDDYbelievable 🤩#Buddy1000 pic.twitter.com/60BIpV9Xwj
— AFL (@AFL) March 25, 2022
One of the greatest to ever do it. 🤩
— Hawthorn FC (@HawthornFC) March 25, 2022
Congrats Buddy! 💛 pic.twitter.com/4YGmwFinxp
"I told you mate!!"
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) March 25, 2022
The man who kicked it to Bud! 🤝 #Buddy1000 pic.twitter.com/XNgma0jJwi
#Buddy1000 pic.twitter.com/a4teHj3dvo
— Michael Willson (@MichaelCWillson) March 25, 2022
What a brilliant shot of the SCG this is! Everyone has SWARMED Buddy!#Buddy1000 #AFLSwansCats pic.twitter.com/haQ7VgEUc6
— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) March 25, 2022
Bonkers scenes #Buddy1000 pic.twitter.com/hR3nIxW9QV
— Marc McGowan 🗣✍️👨🏻💻📰 (@ByMarcMcGowan) March 25, 2022
Unbelievable pic.twitter.com/HJkyI7e4GT
— feliz navidud (@DesignedToFade) March 25, 2022
The greatest showman 👑 #Buddy1000 pic.twitter.com/VadhcQbre0
— Brayden Cocks (@brayden_cocks) March 25, 2022
That was real special. #Buddy1000
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) March 25, 2022
#Buddy1000
— Box Hill Hawks (@BoxHillHawks) March 25, 2022
🧡💛 pic.twitter.com/yDdC42eBrf
How good is footy #Buddy1000
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) March 25, 2022
Triple M Footy's call of the moment history was made, beautifully called by the guru @MarkHoward03! pic.twitter.com/Cuya60u32M
— Triple M Footy (@triplemfooty) March 25, 2022
A long time foe, a champion and a warrior. Congratulations Buddy 👏 pic.twitter.com/T9st77KMwB
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) March 25, 2022
Lance & Longmire 🫂 #Buddy1000 pic.twitter.com/hHsMAayjsq
— 7AFL (@7AFL) March 25, 2022
"This is what we all came for"
— Nadine Rabah (@NadineRabah25) March 25, 2022
- @JordanLewisO3 in the moments after Buddy Franklin kicked his 1000th @AFL goal. #Buddy1000 #AFLSwansCats pic.twitter.com/rQe1cdkZlV
Lance 'buddy' Franklin
— Aliir Aliir (@aliir_mayom) March 25, 2022
#Buddy1000 pic.twitter.com/DQ3JrcAi4V
— Se/.mus (@LyonsSeamus17) March 25, 2022
UnBuddybelievable.
— Richmond FC 🐯 (@Richmond_FC) March 25, 2022
Congratulations, #Buddy1000!
Love this from Sharrod Wellingham tbh 😅#AFLSwansCats | #Buddy1000 pic.twitter.com/SKq6KLJHQv
— AFL (@AFL) March 25, 2022
We will never see it in our lifetime ever again.
— J.\KE BUCKLEY 🇦🇺 (@TheMasterBucks) March 25, 2022
Thank you, Buddy Franklin.#Buddy1000 pic.twitter.com/zU7w6IuK8v
Ok, where's Buddy? ❤️🤍 #AFLSwansCats pic.twitter.com/2LOHjxqfgm
— Corey Norris (@coreynorris9) March 25, 2022
A moment we will never forget.
— Sydney Cricket Ground (@scg) March 25, 2022
Fans race onto the hallowed @scg turf to celebrate with @Buddy_Franklin. Thank you to the 36,578 fans who came along and joined the party 🎉. #Buddy1000 #LoveOurSCG pic.twitter.com/IewRdMPGhm
We'll never see it again #Buddy1000 pic.twitter.com/jyIkwlSdt1
— Andrew McCormack (@_AMcCormack7) March 25, 2022
The theatre of sport gets no better .. ever 🙌 💪👏👏#Buddy1000 pic.twitter.com/rLiNDrNkZB
— Phil Hillyard (@philthy295) March 25, 2022
— Zane (@zanerednwhite) March 25, 2022
When you catch Buddy's 1000th goal 😂 pic.twitter.com/S6o4fpr9t0
— 7AFL (@7AFL) March 26, 2022
Fair to say this punter had a memorable night at the footy #Buddy1000 pic.twitter.com/2HDYYLBdDr
— Eden Richards (@Eden_Richards) March 25, 2022
This is THE PHOTO #Buddy1000 pic.twitter.com/HIFhaQHhIa
— Matt Head (@MattHead__) March 25, 2022
