AFL champion Lance Franklin has once again got the Hawthorn faithful spinning.
At the end of 2013 Hawks hearts were broken when their beloved megastar shocked the football world and headed to Sydney on a monster $10 million deal.
Now, as Hawthorn and the Swans prepare for a MCG clash on Sunday, Franklin is in Melbourne to watch the game … and he rolled into his original club’s home base at Waverley Park on Saturday morning.
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Hawthorn shared photos of the occasion on social media with the caption “special morning at training”, and fans naturally loved it.
“A very special guest at HawthornFC captain’s run this morning,” 7NEWS sports reporter Andrew McCormack said.
“Lance Franklin returned to Waverley Park for the first time since 2013 to watch training.
“Buddy out on the ground with his wife Jesinta and family 11 years after departing Waverley for the Harbour City.”
Buddy’s children Rocky and Tallulah were decked out in Hawthorn jumpers, with Franklin’s famous No.23 on the back.
Franklin also caught up with his former partner in crime, Jarryd Roughead.
Roughead now holds a list management role at the Hawks but once upon a time this dynamic duo — who were both drafted in 2004 — used to terrorise opposition defences together.
Veteran journalist and well-known Hawthorn supporter Stephen Quartermain said: “Cracking photo! Excellent to see Buddy reconnecting at Hawthorn.”
While fans were excited to see Rocky and Tallulah in the brown and gold.
“Don’t play with us like that,” one fan said on X (formerly Twitter).
While another said: “Actually bring a tear to my eye.”
And another: “Good to see the kids in Hawk colours.”
“This is Special,” said another.
Even fans from rival clubs loved the pics.
“Coming from a Cats fan. That is a great photo. To have him back at the club is a very special moment. One player you loved to watch play.”
On Sunday Franklin will appear at the Hawthorn president’s pre-game function, and then he’ll be speaking to members and the fans on the big screen at half-time.
Since riding off into the sunset last year, the 37-year-old has relocated to Gold Coast with his wife Jesinta and young family.
His sea change pricked the interest of the Suns, who considered making a play to lure him to the club for a part-time off-field role.
Recently Sydney coach John Longmire swatted away claims of a fall-out between Franklin and his club.
Elusive and media shy, Franklin passed up a press conference following his 1000th goal in March 2022, before famously missing his own retirement announcement.
“No, we hadn’t had enough of Lance,” Longmire said when asked about the reports.
“Lance has been one of the most popular players we’ve had at this football club, and certainly one of the best players I’ve ever coached.
“He was a super player for us and I had a great relationship with him which I will always treasure.
“His ability to contribute to our footy club, on and off the field, was absolutely significant.
“He was 36 (when he retired). You know, strangely enough you get to the stage where you go and do other things.”
– With AAP