Franklin creates history with AFL's leading goal-kicker awardHAWTHORN star Lance Franklin survived a late charge by Carlton's Brendan Fevola at the Telstra Dome last night to win the AFL's Coleman Medal as the season's leading goal-kicker.
He also broke the 100-goal barrier, Franklin ending the regular season with 102 goals, three ahead of Fevola who was stranded on 99 in the Hawks' 78-point defeat of the Blues.
It means Franklin becomes the first Aboriginal footballer in the history of the VFL/AFL to win the Coleman Medal.
He brought up his ton last night with his second goal late in the first quarter and was immediately swamped by team-mates to celebrate and who also formed a protective barrier from the hundreds of fans who converged on the ground to do likewise.
Franklin was then ushered off the ground until the crowd dispersed then returned to play out the remaining minutes.
He added two more goals and ended the night with 4.5 for the game.
Franklin said in a post-match interview he was glad to reach the milestone but finals footy is where his focus is at.
"It's not a bad year for me so far but we've got finals to go next week and I'm just looking forward to next week," he said. "It was good to get the goals in the end and get it over and done with."
Hawks coach Allistair Clarkson was similarly pleased.
"It's a special achievement, he's the first Indigenous player to do it," Clarkson said. "He's worked hard for it, he's one of the best trainers at the club. He gets a lot of attention now but he takes things in his stride and he's handled it pretty well."
It's also the first time a player has reached the ton in the regular season since Tony Lockett in 1998.
The Hawks will take on the Western Bulldogs in a qualifying final next weekend.
How Franklin reached his ton:Round 1: 6.3; Round 2: 4.1; Round 3: 5.1; Round 4: 6.3; Round 5: 8.6; Round 6: 1.7; Round 7: 6.4; Round 8: 6.2; Round 9: 3.3; Round 10: 5.0; Round 11: 9.5; Round 12: 1.6; Round 13: 1.3; Round 14: 5.2; Round 15: 4.7; Round 16: 3.0; Round 17: 4.5; Round 18: 8.6; Round 19: 6.1; Round 20: 3.6; Round 21: 4.5; Round 22: 4.5 (Total: 102.84)
DARREN MONCRIEFF
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Last Modified on 01/09/2008 20:01