sport news Revealed: What made footy recluse Buddy Franklin step back into the limelight ... trends now
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Lance Franklin has stayed away from footy since his retirement in July last year - but that's going to change when the AFL great makes a special guest appearance at this Sunday's Hawthorn vs Sydney clash at the MCG.
'Buddy' was last seen at a footy match when he, wife Jesinta and their children Rocky and Tallulah waved to fans last August as he completed a lap of honour during his emotional send-off at the SCG.
He even turned down a chance to appear in the traditional motorcade of recently retired players at last year's grand final.
Now he'll be sending a halftime message to fans on the big screen as the two teams he starred for battle it out in Melbourne, as well as attending a pre-match function.
Franklin (pictured with wife Jesinta and their children Rocky and Tallulah at his SCG farewell last year) will be making a rare post-retirement appearance at the MCG this Sunday
The 37-year-old (pictured with wife Jesinta) refused to join the retiring players' motorcade at last year's grand final despite a personal request from then-AFL boss Gillon McLachlan
'He's back at the MCG this Sunday,' footy reporter Mitch Cleary told Channel Seven.
'They couldn't get him back for the motorcade last year on grand final day, but he's back [for] Hawthorn and Sydney.
'It's 10 years since his first year at the Swans, he's back this week.
'He'll be at the [club] president's function pre-game for the Hawks,, then he'll be speaking to the members on the big screen at halftime.
'Ash Klein, the CEO
