The name ‘Buddy’ is synonymous with Lance Franklin. Every Australian rules footy fanatic knows the name ‘Buddy’ with the name’s reverence in Australia akin to ‘Pele’ in Brazil or ‘Magic’
Johnson in the States. A reclusive celebrity who loves nothing more than staying far away from the limelight, Buddy’s brightness shines on the field. Since he passed the magical 100-goal mark in 2008, only two forwards have been able to kick 80 goals or more in the home and away season and the fact that he’s also kicked 84 behinds. In modern Australian Rules Footy, with a full team defence, zoning, and ‘intercept’ defenders, the one hundred threshold has become practically impossible. Will Buddy be the Last Centurion? One may also ask, is Buddy the greatest forward the game has ever seen?
Sam Harvey is a popular sports blogger (Bell At A Goat), podcaster and writer with a keen sports journalistic eye. He has written columns for On Ya Warnie author Ken Piesse’s Pavillion magazine and Kyrgios is his first book collaboration. Illustrator Paul Harvey (Harv) is Sam’s dad.
Paul Harvey (Harv) is one of Australia’s most talented, diverse, and accomplished artists. Based in Melbourne, Australia with his wife and three kids, ‘Harv’ as he is known is widely celebrated for his work. A cartoonist, caricaturist, illustrator, and author Harv has many strings to his bow. He has had a long working relationship with sporting bodies and turns his hand to everything from designing merchandise and on-field apparel to mascots and club logos. He’ll even caricature the retiring player or administrator and help you celebrate that Premiership. He illustrates an illuminated certificate for the AFL Brownlow medallist and AFLW best & fairest recipient each year. Under the name Harv-Time he creates limited edition prints of sport’s greatest moments. Harv has also been prolific in the book department, being involved with around 60 books as the illustrator, including On Ya Warnie and Kyrgios - The Smash Hits. His coffee table book Harv’s Footy Stars celebrates 30 years of caricaturing the AFL’s greatest. He has also written and illustrated two children’s books – The Mighty Bunyips and The Invincible Bunyips.
* A complete celebration of Australia’s greatest modern-day footballer.
* Includes the rise of Buddy Franklin from his first session on the park at Hawthorn breaking their 200m records to becoming the 6th V/AFL footballer to kick 1000 goals in a season.
* With 2023 shaping up to be Franklin’s final season in the AFL, the book will be a celebration of his final season.
* Includes cartoons from caricaturist and illustrator Harv (Paul Harvey).
Publicity:
* Coverage in national newspapers, publications and radio including ABC National, 3AW, SEN, Fox Footy, Channel 7, AFL Live Offical App, and AFL Nation.
