Hawks fans will get the chance to farewell the legendary forward in Melbourne.

Buddy Franklin will be back at the MCG on Sunday during Hawthorn’s clash with the Swans, giving Hawks fans the chance to farewell the AFL champion in Victoria. Franklin retired from the AFL last year and was given an emotional send-off at the SCG during a Sydney Swans game late in the season.

But fans in Victoria never got a chance to show their appreciation. Franklin played 172 games for the Swans, but he also made 182 appearances for Hawthorn and is considered a legend at both clubs.

The Hawks announced on Tuesday that Franklin will make a special appearance at the MCG on Sunday at half-time of the game between his former clubs. Channel 7 reporter Mitch Cleary revealed that Franklin is expected to attend the President’s function before the game and will speak to fans at some stage throughout the match.

It marks somewhat of a coup for the Hawks, with Franklin preferring to stay away from the limelight since his retirement. He didn’t even attend his own retirement press conference with the Swans, and opted against taking part in the motorcade for retired players at the grand final in September.

Cleary revealed that Hawthorn CEO Ashley Klein managed to get the Franklin appearance over the line and ‘twisted his arm’. The Hawks wrote in a message to fans: “Witness a champion’s return and cheer him on one last time.” Fans were delighted to hear about Franklin’s upcoming appearance at the MCG, where he kicked 342 of his 1066 career goals.

Sydney Swans respond to ugly claims around Buddy Franklin
The latest development comes after AFL legend Leigh Matthews made startling claims last month that Sydney are “better off” without Franklin despite his talismanic standing in the game. Journalist Tom Morris also suggested the 37-year-old had worn out his welcome in Sydney and the Swans “grew tired” of the veteran forward.

“The Swans would never say this publicly because Buddy was so good for them for so long, but make no mistake, the Swans had had enough of Buddy last year,” Morris said. “They were ready to move on from Buddy last year and the fact that he retired without a press conference makes me think he was done with the Swans as well. It was time to part ways.”