Lance Franklin is set to make a return to football for the first time since retiring from the AFL at the end of 2023. He will play for his junior club Dowerin on April 18.
What prompted the comeback?
The 39-year-old's decision to return to football was sparked by a fundraiser to install new lighting at Dowerin's home ground.
Lance Franklin expressed his excitement about playing for his junior club again, saying he never thought he'd get the opportunity.
Why it matters for Lance Franklin
This comeback is a significant moment for Franklin, who retired in 2023 with an astonishing 1066 goals from 354 games with Hawthorn and Sydney.
He was a four-time Coleman medallist and eight-time All-Australian, the equal most in VFL/AFL history.
What comes next?
Franklin will line up for Dowerin alongside WAFL premiership player Tom Lee, drafted by Adelaide before playing 17 games for St Kilda in the mid-2010s.
The much-loved icon will be hoping to add to his highlight reel in his return to the footy field next month, with the game aiming to raise $300,000 for the club.
Lance Franklin's return is a huge moment for the town of Dowerin, giving back to the community where he started playing football at the age of six.
The game is set to take place on April 18, and fans will be eager to see Franklin in action once again, after he completed multiple half-marathons and the New York Marathon last November.
Shane Crawford, co-host of Franklin's podcast, described the comeback as 'huge', and fans will be excited to see what the future holds for the Australian rules football legend.
Lance Franklin's career was marked by incredible highlights, including becoming just the sixth player in history to reach the 1000-goal mark, a feat that will likely never be achieved again.
The running goal against Essendon, with Cale Hooker in pursuit, is undoubtedly one of the most famous moments in Franklin's career, and fans will be hoping for more of the same in his comeback game.
The fundraiser aims to bring back a lot of memories for Franklin, who started playing football at Dowerin at the age of six, and the town will be eager to see their iconic player in action once again.
Lance Franklin's decision to return to football is a testament to his dedication to the sport and his commitment to giving back to the community that supported him throughout his career.
The comeback game will be a significant moment for the town of Dowerin, and fans will be eager to see Franklin in action, as he aims to add to his already impressive highlight reel.
The game on April 18 will be a huge moment for Lance Franklin, and fans will be excited to see what the future holds for the Australian rules football legend.
Lance Franklin's return to football is set to be an exciting moment for fans, and the fundraiser will help to raise much-needed funds for the club, making it a win-win for everyone involved.
The town of Dowerin will be eager to see their iconic player in action once again, and the game on April 18 will be a significant moment for the community, as they come together to support their beloved player.
Lance Franklin's comeback is a huge moment for Australian rules football, and fans will be excited to see what the future holds for the legend, as he takes to the field once again.
The fundraiser will help to raise $300,000 for the club, and the game on April 18 will be a significant moment for the town of Dowerin, as they come together to support their iconic player.
Lance Franklin's decision to return to football is a significant moment for the sport, and fans will be eager to see what the future holds for the Australian rules football legend, as he aims to add to his already impressive highlight reel.
The game on April 18 will be a huge moment for Lance Franklin, and fans will be excited to see him in action once again, as he takes to the field for his junior club Dowerin.
Lance Franklin's comeback is set to be an exciting moment for fans, and the fundraiser will help to raise much-needed funds for the club, making it a win-win for everyone involved.
The town of Dowerin will be eager to see their iconic player in action once again, and the game on April 18 will be a significant moment for the community, as they come together to support their beloved player.
Lance Franklin's return to football is a significant moment for Australian rules football, and fans will be excited to see what the future holds for the legend, as he takes to the field once again.
The fundraiser will help to raise $300,000 for the club, and the game on April 18 will be a significant moment for the town of Dowerin, as they come together to support their iconic player.