Footy icon Lance Franklin has revealed he will play a game for his childhood footy club in Western Australia, almost three years after he quit the AFL.
The Swans and Hawthorn all-time great will lace up his boots once more to play for the Dowerin Tigers, where his footy journey started as a youngster.
‘I’m going to be going back to my junior football club back in WA,’ Franklin said on his Buddy & Shane Show podcast, which he hosts with former Hawks teammate Shane Crawford.
‘I’m going to go back there and play a game.
‘I’m really excited about this, I never thought I’d get the opportunity to play for my junior football club.
‘But it’s popped up, this opportunity … I think it’s definitely going to bring back a lot of memories.
Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin is pictured with wife Jesinta and their children Rocky and Tallulah as he bid an emotional farewell to Swans fans at the SCG after retiring in 2023
The Sydney and Hawthorn icon (pictured with wife Jesinta) will be heading back to Western Australia to play a match for his boyhood club
‘Obviously started there when I was six years of age.
‘This is for the town itself, too – giving back. We’re going to raise $300,000.’
Franklin broke down in tears when he completed a lap of honour at the SCG in August 2023, shortly after announcing his retirement.
The Swans faithful cheered, clapped and waved passionately to pay tribute to Franklin as he walked around the SCG boundary line with wife Jesinta, daughter Tallulah and son Rocky on Sunday.
Jesinta was seen fighting back tears and ‘Buddy’ broke down as they soaked up the emotional tributes from fans during a halftime lap of honour around the famous ground.
‘Pretty overwhelmed,’ Franklin said when asked how he felt about the raucous response from a packed house at the SCG.
Speaking to his former Hawthorn teammate Shaun Burgoyne on Channel 7, the AFL great added: ‘Lot of happiness, a little bit of sadness, but it’s all come to an end.
‘I feel incredibly honoured to have played this great game for 19 years. A little bit overwhelmed.
Franklin will help the Dowerin Tigers raise $300,000 by returning to the field
ThE 39-year-old stamped himself as one of the greatest players in the history of the game as he clocked up a total of 354 AFL matches, kicking 1066 goals
‘There’s a lot of hard work that goes into it. It’s a long time playing footy. It’s incredible to be here and see our fans out here today.
‘Coming from the bush in Western Australia, probably never thought this was possible. To play 19 years at two great clubs, I’m incredibly proud.’
Asked what he’d miss the most after retirement, Franklin replied: ‘Probably the banter in the changerooms, that day-to-day stuff.
‘That’s what I’ll miss the most. Competing, being out here. Just playing footy, I’m going to miss that.
‘I feel very blessed to have played this great game for so long.
‘I’ve met some amazing people through my journey and it’s been an incredible turnout today, so thanks, everyone.’
