Tony Franklin (Australian footballer)

Anthony "Tony" Franklin (born 18 December 1950) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with South Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL) during the 1970s.

Tony Franklin
Personal information
Full name Anthony Franklin
Date of birth (1950-12-18) 18 December 1950
Original team(s) Penguin
Height 185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight 84 kg (185 lb)
Position(s) Ruckman/Half forward
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1974–1975 South Melbourne 32 (11)
Coaching career
Years Club Games (W–L–D)
1984 Sydney Swans 1 (0–1–0)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1975.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Originally from the Tasmanian club Penguin, Franklin played mostly as a ruckman and half forward in his two seasons at South Melbourne. His career was dogged by recurring hamstring injuries.[1]

He represented Tasmania at interstate football and won the Lefroy Medal for a performance against Victoria.

After leaving South Melbourne he spent some time in the VFA playing for Sandringham. Franklin rejoined the Swans as a coach, guiding the Reserves team to the 1980 VFL Reserves Grand Final, where they lost by 33 points to Geelong.[1] When the Swans relocated to Sydney in 1982, Franklin was appointed chairman of the match committee.[1]

When Ricky Quade was suddenly admitted to hospital with a bleeding ulcer midway through the 1984 season, Franklin filled in as senior coach for Sydney's round 14 game against Collingwood, which they lost by 31 points.[2] He later served as their Chairman of Selectors.

References
  1. Main, Jim. "Swan Songs – with Tony Franklin". sydneyswans.com.au. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  2. Sydney Morning Herald, ‘Quade’s illness leaves Swans in a quandary’, 2 July 1984, p. 30


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