Franklin was born in 30 January, 1987 in Perth, Australia. He grew up in Dowerin, supporting the Melbourne Football Club. He was interested in football since his childhood. He played his first senior game for ‘Perth Football Club’ in 2004, where he kicked one goal.
Franklin trained regularly before entering AFL in 2005. He was selected by Hawthorn in 2005 and played for them till 2014. In his first season with Hawthorn, he kicked 27 goals in 20 games. The beginning of 2006 for Franklin was a bit hampered by injury. However he made his name as the upcoming bright forward in the AFL by showing some brilliant displays. Franklin kicked 63 goals in the year 2007, which was 3rd highest of that season. The season of 2008 was the best season of Franklin’s career till date. During that season, he kicked 102 goals and won his first Coleman Medal. By doing so, he became the first player to kick 100 goals in one season since Tony Lockett did it in 1998. The season of 2009 did not went as good as expected for Franklin. He had surgery of his thumb finger and shoulder. He played some good football in 2010 but could not surpass his own record of 100+ goals in that season. Franklin had a good start to 2011 season. He kicked his 400th goal for Hawthorn in Round 8 against his future team; Sydney Swans. The beginning of 2012 season did not went well for Franklin. He struggled with inaccurate goal kicking on those periods. Franklin played in 2013 AFL Grand Final against Fremantle. His team defeated Fremantle to win the final as he played vital part in that victory. In 2014, Franklin moved to Sydney Swans after finishing his contract with Hawthorn. His new $10 million deal with Sydney Swans will run for 9 years. He made his debut for Swans in Round 1 against Greater Western Sydney. He kicked 67 goals playing 19 matches in that season. His performance in 2015 season is going well as of July 2015.
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Franklin’s father was a hockey player and mother is part-Aborigine. He also has a sister. Franklin was dating model Jesinta Campbell back in 2013. Campbell remained his girlfriend until they got engaged in December 2014. The couple are yet to get married and they do not have any children as of 2015.
Franklin is physically very strong player as described by Leigh Matthews. Franklin stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and has a weight 102 kg. He has won 3 Coleman Medals, 1 Peter Crimmins Medal, Sydney Swans leading goal kicker award 2014 and was declared Hawthorn leading goal kicker for 6 times, Hawthorn Premiership player for 2 times. His exact net worth amount is unknown to general public, however some internet media sources claim that his current salary is $700,000 per season.
