Famously private AFL legend Lance Franklin has made a rare public appearance.

In a sit-down interview with Seven sports presenter Mark Beretta, Franklin has opened up on life after AFL, his thoughts on State of Origin football, and a surprising new venture.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Lance Franklin appears on Sunrise.

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Franklin told Sunrise that his new world out of the public spotlight had been “a bit of an adjustment”.

“There’s no doubt about that,” he said.

“Obviously, you have certain routines that I’ve done for 19 years and when that goes you need to adjust to real life.

“It’s been good. I’ve absolutely loved it.

“Spending this time with obviously my wife and two kids has been special.”

Franklin is married to high-profile Australian model Jesinta Franklin (née Campbell).

Their famous relationship dates back a long way (around 2013), when Buddy was swept off his feet by the former Miss Universe Australia winner.

Beretta then stopped Buddy in his tracks when he made an observation about the couple.

“In many ways you and Jesinta are Australia’s Posh and Becks,” Beretta said, referring to the universally loved power couple David Beckham and his pop icon wife Posh Spice.

But Franklin was having none of it.

“I wouldn’t say that,” Buddy immediately fired back. “Come on, mate.”

Last year Posh and Becks released a highly acclaimed four-part docu-series called Beckham.

And Beretta wondered if Buddy and Jesinta would do a similar thing.

Franklin was emphatic.

“No,” he said.

“We’re obviously very private and keep to ourselves … not so much Jesinta,” he laughed.

“But I like to sort of take a back seat and keep to myself. That’s the way I’ve always been.”

Despite that need for privacy, Franklin recently set the rumour mill in overdrive when a leaked video of him emerged on Reddit.

The 37-year-old was seen in a kitchen wearing an apron and kneading dough, sparking suggestions he was about to appear on cooking show MasterChef.

However, it was later revealed that the video was part of a collaboration between Buddy and beer company Hahn, which was officially announced on Friday.

Franklin is promoting a zero carbohydrate beer.

“Zero carbs … I think that’s important, Franklin said.

Franklin also weighed in on the great AFL State of Origin debate that recently emerged.

Nearly every year when the NRL holds its State of Origin games between NSW and Queensland, players from the past lament the fact that the AFL no longer has State of Origin.

Once upon a time crowds flocked to Australian Football games between Victoria and South Australia and Western Australia (in particular), but novelty wore then after the VFL became the AFL.

By the late 1990s, clubs started to hold back their stars from representing their state, given that they pay the players and there are games for premiership points on the line and a possible finals campaign ahead.

Crowds also started to drop off.

But Franklin said he was a fan of the concept and believed it could still work.

Franklin played in a State of Origin game of sorts in 2008 (it was an AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match, which was a one-off event to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Australian Football).

The game was played between the Dream Team and Victoria, with the Vics winning the high-scoring affair by 17 points.

Almost 70,000 watched the game live at the MCG and Franklin said it was “an incredible thing to be a part of”.

“You’re with the best players … versing Victoria … and it was something that I’ll never forget.

“I think it would be awesome to get it back. You become envious of it (when you see the Maroons and the Blues go at it).

“I think it would be sad if they never brought it back, that’s for sure.”