Jesinta Campbell has posted a beautiful tribute to fiancee and AFL footballer Buddy Franklin just days after the Sydney Swans went down in the grand final.
Alongside an image of the duo at last week’s Brownlow Medal, Campbell wrote that although the game didn’t play out how they both had hoped, her heart still “swells” with pride at how his year has come together.
“What a week! My heart swells with pride for your victorious year,” she began.
“What you have achieved personally I admire far more than any goal, milestone or win you could ever be a part of!! It was amazing to witness you play in another GF this year and although the loss is sad, I feel like we’ve won on so many different levels this year and that’s what truly matters in life. You have inspired me so much.”
Campbell’s message comes after Franklin played out the 2016 season with the Swans following a tough 2015 as he battled ongoing mental health issues.
Franklin missed the Swans’ 2015 finals campaign, taking time out of the game to focus on his health and put all his energy into ensuring he returned to AFL in a strong state of mind.
Since going public with his struggle, Campbell said their time in the spotlight had made his recovery that much harder, with his battle becoming public property and the subject of incessant rumours.
“People have been a little bit nasty too. There have been some people in the media that have just said some really incredibly nasty and hurtful things that are just so left of field and so wrong in this day and age,” she told Fairfax last December.
However, for Franklin, there was never a doubt that he would return, and make a return in better shape than ever.
“There was never any doubt in my mind I was going to come back. I love playing football, that’s what I love to do,” Franklin told ABC News back in March this year.
“I’ve got that support network around me and that’s the most important thing and I’ve just got to continue to speak to those people around me and get on with it as best I can.”