AustralianFootball.com Celebrating the history of the great Australian game
Club | League | Career span | Games | Goals | Avg | Win % | AKI | AHB | AMK | BV |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Manuka | — | 256 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Manuka | ACTAFL | 1971-1981 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Total | 1971-1981 | 256 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Instantly recognisable owing to his long hair and full beard, Manuka key position forward and defender Robert Franklin would have caught the eye in any case thanks to his prodigious football talent. A member of Manuka's 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1977 premiership teams, Franklin was at the forefront of the game in Canberra at a time when the standard was steadily improving, culminating in the famous victory over the VFL in 1980. Robert Franklin did not play in that particular game, although he was a regular ACT representative throughout the 1970s. (He is shown in the picture spoiling official AFL Legend Barrie Robran's attempt to mark in a match between the ACT and then Australian club champions North Adelaide in 1973.)
Towards the end of his career, Robert Franklin represented the ACT at state of origin level at the 1979 Australian interstate championships in Perth. The enormous impression Franklin made on informed followers of the Australian code in Canberra was demonstrated when, in 1999, he was selected at centre half back in the official 'ACT Legends' team chosen to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the ACTAFL.
Author - John Devaney