Sydney Swans’ Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin shows off his new butterfly tattoo as he takes a dip

Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin strips down and shows off his new butterfly tattoo as he takes a dip during Sydney Swans recovery session

Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin has been in training ahead of a hotly anticipated return to the footy field with the Sydney Swans. 

The AFL player, 34, was winding down during a Sydney Swans Recovery Session at Bondi Beach on Monday. 

Buddy stripped down for a swim, showing off his formidably muscular form as he dove into the waves. 

Swim fan: Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin (pictured) has been in training ahead of a hotly anticipated return to the footy field with the Sydney Swans. The AFL player, 34, was winding down during a Sydney Swans Recovery Session at Bondi Beach on Monday

Also on display was his new tattoo, which is a butterfly nestled on his chest between his pecs. 

It sits beside another recent tattoo – a sparrow carrying a heart in its mouth, which he had inked in 2018.   

In Greek mythology the sparrow serves as the symbol of true love and a spiritual connection. 

New ink: On display was his new tattoo, which is a butterfly nestled on his chest between his pecs. It sits beside another recent tattoo - a sparrow carrying a heart in its mouth, which he had inked in 2018

New ink: On display was his new tattoo, which is a butterfly nestled on his chest between his pecs. It sits beside another recent tattoo – a sparrow carrying a heart in its mouth, which he had inked in 2018

Feeling free! Butterflies often symbolise transformation, resurrection or freedom, and can also represent the soul

Feeling free! Butterflies often symbolise transformation, resurrection or freedom, and can also represent the soul

Butterflies, meanwhile, often symbolise transformation, resurrection or freedom, and can also represent the soul.   

The footballer is yet to publicly reveal the true meaning of his chest tattoos, however, but some believe they may represent his love for his wife and daughter. 

Buddy and his wife of five years, Jesinta Franklin, 29, welcomed their first child, daughter Tullulah, in February last year. 

Meaningful: Meanwhile, in Greek mythology the sparrow serves as the symbol of true love and a spiritual connection

Meaningful: Meanwhile, in Greek mythology the sparrow serves as the symbol of true love and a spiritual connection

Close to his chest: The footballer is yet to publicly reveal the true meaning of his chest tattoos, however, but some believe they may represent his love for his wife and daughter

Close to his chest: The footballer is yet to publicly reveal the true meaning of his chest tattoos, however, but some believe they may represent his love for his wife and daughter

In an interview with the Herald Sun in February, Buddy confirmed that Jesinta was just weeks away from giving birth to their second child.   

‘We are five or six weeks away from having our second. I am really excited about that and can’t wait to become a father for the second time,’ he said.

‘The main thing is you have got a happy and healthy family. Being a father has been the best thing for me, I am loving every minute of it and I wouldn’t have it any other way,’ he added. 

 AFL star Buddy proposed to Jesinta in December 2014 after 14 months of dating. They tied the knot in November 2016.

Incoming: Buddy and his wife of five years, Jesinta Franklin, 29, (pictured)  welcomed their first child, daughter Tullulah, in February last year. They are expecting their second baby in  a matter of weeks

Incoming: Buddy and his wife of five years, Jesinta Franklin, 29, (pictured)  welcomed their first child, daughter Tullulah, in February last year. They are expecting their second baby in  a matter of weeks