'Buddy' Franklin smash could cost girlfriend

AFL star Lance "Buddy" Franklin's four car accident could cost his girlfriend, Jesinta Campbell, her ambassador deal with Jeep Australia. 

Franklin fronted a press conference to confirm he had crashed his girlfriend's 4WD into a group of parked cars in Sydney's east last night.

"I was driving in Rose Bay unfortunately I hit a car," Franklin said. "Luckily no-one was hurt and no-one was injured."

"I'm deeply sorry for the inconvenience I've caused.

He denied texting or being distracted and police ruled out alcohol as a factor in the smash after the Sydney Swans' $10 million recruit underwent a roadside breath test, which returned a negative result.

"I didn't see the car on the left hand side of the road," Franklin said. "It was just an accident."

But the incident could have consequences for his girlfriend Campbell with a Fiat Chrysler Group Australia spokeswoman telling the Sydney Morning Herald the negative publicity could see the model's ambassador deal cancelled. 

"Pending the outcome of the police investigation and discussions with Jesinta and her management, we will then decide our relationship moving forward," the spokeswoman said. "It’s probably a bit early to tell whether the incident will affect Jesinta’s contract. We’re still waiting for the police to finalise their investigation."

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Franklin was driving at the time of the accident belonged to Campbell, who is a brand ambassador for the car maker, Fairfax Media reports.

Franklin, who was the sole occupant of the 4WD, is understood to have been driving west along New South Head Rd in Rose Bay when he lost control of his vehicle and slammed into the parked cars about 7pm.

He was uninjured and allowed to leave the scene but all five vehicles involved in the crash were damaged.

Rose Bay resident Craig McDonald posted pictures of the crash scene on Twitter after spotting the 27-year-old athlete speaking to police.

"Buddy Franklin has just totalled three cars on New South Head road outside my place," he wrote last night.

Pictures show the Jeep smashed head-on into the row of parked cars, causing serious damage to the hood and deflating the airbags, before it was towed.

In an interview with Fairfax, Mr McDonald said he called police after hearing a loud bang.

"He was just hanging around," he said of Franklin. "He got recognised and he was trying to stay out of the light of the cameras."

Police did not identify Franklin in the incident, instead describing the driver of the 4WD as a "27-year-old Bondi man".

Franklin was issued a fine and investigations are continuing, police said.

Earlier this year, Franklin's luxury Mercedes was involved in a car accident.

The club said at the time Franklin had loaned the vehicle to fellow Swan Dan Hannebery.

Franklin relocated from the Hawthorn Hawks this season after signing a deal with the Swans last October worth $10 million.

Author: Erin Tennant, Approving editor: Nicholas McCallum