(1982-1996, 1031), Jason Dunstall (1985-1998, 1254) and Tony Lockett (1983-2002, 1360) in the illustrious 1,000 career goal club. Not taking anything away from the other members, but Franklin's achievement is arguably the most impressive. Think about the natural evolution of AFL football.
1031 – GARY ABLETT SNR
Ablett was the most recent AFL/VFL footballer to reach the magical 1000-goal barrier, doing so in 1996.
Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Given only six players in the game's history have kicked 1000 goals in their career, former Docker, Cat and Blues defender Stephen O'Reilly holds a record related to the milestone that is unlikely to be matched.
View the AFL/VFL record holders. Geelong 37.17 (239) against Brisbane 11.9 (75) at Metricon Stadium Round 7 1992.
The five players to crack 1000 goals were Tony Lockett (1360), Gordon Coventry (1299), Jason Dunstall (1254), Doug Wade (1057) and Gary Ablett senior (1031).
The most goals scored in a single AFL match is 18 by Fred Fanning (Australia) for Melbourne against St Kilda in 1947.
Such is the defensive nature of modern football, it's not unreasonable to ask if 1000 goals will ever be achieved again. Only five players in the history of the game have reached the millennial mark. Before Ablett there was Gordon Coventry (in 1934), Doug Wade (1974), Tony Lockett (1995) and Jason Dunstall (1995).
Jack Titus (Richmond) – 970
Falling just short of that elusive 1000 club is Richmond royalty Jack Titus. The ultra-durable Titus nailed 970 goals in 294 games for the Tigers.
SYDNEY superstar Lance Franklin has kicked his 1000th career goal, becoming just the sixth VFL/AFL player to reach the milestone. Franklin achieved the feat with his fourth goal in Friday night's blockbuster game against Geelong as spectators ran onto the SCG turf in the final quarter.
Paddy Guinane remembers Richmond going to the Junction Oval on August 12, 1961, perhaps not expecting to beat St Kilda, which would contest the finals three weeks later, but at least confident of a good showing. The Tigers lost 12.19 (91) to 0.8 (8) and remain the last VFL/AFL team to be held goalless.
The ball is returned to the center circle for a "ball-up." There is no possibility of an "own goal" as in soccer. If the ball passes over the goal line between the behind posts by any other means, then it is a behind, and it scores 1 point. If the ball hits the goal post, a behind is scored.
The most consecutive games won in the Australian Football League Premiership is 23 by Geelong between 1952 and 1953.
Sydney Swans coach John Longmire has revealed Lance 'Buddy' Franklin is likely to have a very different on-field role this season. At 36, Franklin is officially the oldest player in the AFL - and 2023 looms as his final campaign booting a Sherrin.
Pelé was the 1st footballer in history to score 1,000 goals. Brazil's Pelé became the first man to score 1,000 goals in competitive football in November 1969 after converting a penalty for Santos against Vasco da Gama in Rio. The match was stopped for 30 minutes as supporters invaded the pitch.
Collingwood's Australian Football Hall Of Fame Legend Gordon Coventry was the first to kick a ton in a season, in 1929. Hawthorn and Sydney legend-in-waiting Lance 'Buddy' Franklin was the last to do it, in 2008. The 28 individuals who have kicked 100 goals in a season did so a combined 57 times.
Lionel Messi became the second-ever player to reach 800 goals with a goal in Argentina's 2-0 win over Panama on Thursday. Cristiano Ronaldo, who holds the all-time record for career goals (830), is the only other player that has reached 800 goals.
10,000th – Les Ferdinand 2001
The 10,000th goal came with the turn of the new millennium. It came for Spurs amidst a 4-0 over Fulham in December. In just the 20th minute, Ferdinand broke the milestone with a classic poacher's finish on the goalmouth.
The International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) considers Cristiano Ronaldo to be the world record holder, stating in December 2021 that the Portugal forward was the first player to reach 800 official career goals.