Former Sydney Swans star Buddy Franklin and his wife Jesinta have returned to Bondi Beach with their family for a quick getaway. The couple were spotted grabbing coffee and smoothies in the beachside suburb on Sunday.
Franklin, 39, carried their eight-month-old baby boy Bam strapped to his chest in a baby carrier during the family outing. Jesinta, 35, appeared radiant and makeup free as she enjoyed being back in Sydney for the short trip.
Jesinta wore a casual chic outfit featuring beige tie-up trousers, a short-sleeve cashmere sweater, and chocolate brown suede loafers for the Sunday walk.
Relocation to Gold Coast farm
The outing marks a rare public appearance in the city for the couple, who stepped away from the spotlight several years ago when they moved to Queensland. In 2025, they relocated to a farm on the Coomera River in the Gold Coast hinterland, where they built a new family home on acreage after leaving Sydney behind.
The decision to move represented a return to the rural upbringings both experienced during their childhoods. Franklin grew up in Dowerin, a small town in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, while Jesinta spent her childhood in Clagiraba, a community in the Gold Coast hinterland.
Last month, Jesinta explained that the couple deliberately chose a farm lifestyle for their three children, six-year-old Tallulah, five-year-old Rocky, and baby Bam, believing it provided the best environment for young children. "There's no better way to grow up," she previously said.
The youngest child, Bam, was born in December last year. Franklin chose the name after hearing about Miami Heat NBA star Bam Adebayo while watching a basketball game during Jesinta's pregnancy.
Role as full-time father
Franklin retired from professional football in 2023 following a decorated career in Australian rules football. Over his career in the Australian Football League, he played 354 AFL games and kicked 1066 goals, earning four Coleman Medals, eight All-Australian selections, and premiership victories with Hawthorn in 2008 and 2013.
Following his retirement, Jesinta encouraged Franklin to take a full year off before deciding on future career options, such as coaching or sports media commitments. The arrangement proved successful as Franklin took on primary parenting duties as a full-time father, while Jesinta focused on expanding her business interests and media work.
Franklin described his new life away from sport as even more fulfilling than his time on the field. "I loved playing football, I'll never say I didn't," Franklin told News Corp. "But this.. this is better for me."
He added: "I've loved it. Don't get me wrong, I loved playing footy, but I've seen the older kids grow up spending nearly every day with them."
Business investments and charity match
Alongside family life, the couple have pursued business ventures and health initiatives. They have invested in the honey brand Honey for Life and serve as ambassadors for health and wellness programs with insurer AIA.
Despite being retired, Franklin maintains strong ties to his former sport. Earlier this year, he returned to his Western Australian hometown of Dowerin to play in a charity football match, which drew thousands of spectators and raised more than $200,000 for local sporting facilities.
