AFL champion Lance Franklin will pull the boots on again, revealing his plans to play a game of local footy in Western Australia this season.
Franklin, 39, called time on his 1066-goal career in 2023 having lived up to the expectations of his magnanimous contract at the Sydney Swans.
But the booming left-footer is keen to get back in front of goal and give back to where his decorated career started.
“I’m going to be going back to my junior football club back in WA, Dowerin Football Club,” Franklin told listeners on his Buddy & Shane Show.
“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 (again).
“But it’s popped up, this opportunity, I’m really excited to get back there and have a game.”
Franklin won’t be out of shape either, having completed the New York City marathon in three hours and 49 minutes only last year.
Dowerin is hoping to raise funds for new light towers and who better to help than the forward who thrived under the brightest of spotlights.
“I think it’s definitely going to bring back a lot of memories, I obviously started there when I was six years of age,” Franklin said.
“This is for the town itself, too (and) giving back, we’re going to raise $300,000.”
Dowerin is located approximately 156km out of Perth and has not had Franklin on its books since he left for the WAFL as a teenager.
Franklin was selected by the Hawks in the now famous 2004 draft and went on to complete one of the AFL’s greatest individual careers.
Originally published as AFL champion Lance Franklin has revealed his plans for a shock footy comeback