Lance Franklin
Australian Football League (AFL) Legend and Forward · Australian Rules Football - AFL
Hawthorn Football Club / Sydney Swans
Era
Modern Era - circa 2010s-2020s
Item Type
Sherrin AFL football (Size 3, match style)
Condition
Good condition for a signed football; the signature is slightly faint due to the ball's pebbled texture, but the item itself shows moderate handling wear.
Rarity
Commonly encountered for modern AFL stars, particularly on Sherrin footballs, though high-profile players like Lance Franklin hold strong demand.
Overall Assessment
A classic, desirable modern AFL collectible featuring a characteristic rushed signature of a legendary sport icon on a traditional Sherrin football.
Authenticity Assessment
Likely authentic based on signature flow and typical hurried athlete signing habits on textured surfaces.
Signature Style
Stylized monogram combining initials 'L' and 'F' with a sweeping horizontal underline characteristic of his rapid signing style.
Signature Characteristics
Fast, fluid motion with notable tapering at the end of the stroke, consistent with signing on an unstable curved surface under time pressure.
Ink & Medium
Black ballpoint pen ink, showing some skipping and fading due to the textured synthetic leather surface of the football.
Item Description
A yellow synthetic leather Sherrin junior match football featuring black stamped branding and text ('Footballs Since 1907').
Estimated Value
100-250 USD
Comparison to Known Examples
Matches the streamlined shorthand version of his signature commonly rushed for fans on game days or club events.
Authentication Tips
Compare the sweeping initial 'L' and the rapid horizontal slash of the 'F' against authenticated examples from club signing sessions.
Certification Recommendation
Australian-based sports memorabilia authenticators or major global services like Beckett Authentication Services or PSA/DNA if submitted internationally.
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed; the ink fading and skipping are natural results of writing with a standard ballpoint pen on a pebbled rubberized football surface.
Provenance Notes
Direct acquisition from fan encounters or club member events adds the strongest provenance, as third-party sales lack paper trails without a certificate.
Historical Context
Lance 'Buddy' Franklin is one of the greatest and most iconic players in AFL history, famously kicking over 1,000 career goals.
Market Trends
Stable to appreciating demand following his retirement milestone, with Sherrin footballs commanding a premium over generic paper items.
Investment Potential
Hold. As a legendary figure of modern Australian rules football, his memorabilia retains steady appeal among dedicated AFL collectors.
Similar Autographs
Other elite modern AFL goal-kickers and premiership players such as Gary Ablett Jr., Dustin Martin, or Tony Lockett.
Display & Preservation
Keep away from direct sunlight to prevent the yellow synthetic leather from fading and use a UV-protected acrylic display cube.
Interesting Facts
Franklin's nickname 'Buddy' is rarely spelled out in his hurried public autographs, which typically rely on his distinctive 'LF' stylized monogram.
Notes
AFL player