Thousands of tickets have already been sold for the legendary Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin’s hugely-anticipated return to football with his junior club in the Wheatbelt next week.

For the first time since bringing an end to his 1066-goal, 354-game AFL career in 2023, Franklin will pull on the boots next Saturday to play for Dowerin as they host Gingin in their opening game of the new Mortlock Football Season.

His return to the Tigers has come in concert with an ongoing fundraising effort to upgrade lighting at the town’s oval.

Dowerin Football Club president Todd Quartermaine told The West Australian just shy of 3000 tickets had already been sold for Franklin’s comeback, with the club aiming to raise a total of $300,000.

“Our sponsorship has lifted up a fair bit because of this game, we’re up a fair bit there, and then with the ticket sales and the drinks and all that stuff on the day, we’re hoping we can get a fair way into it,” he said.

“We’re thrilled that he’s willing to give back.

“It’s amazing, really. We couldn’t believe it, that he’s willing to come back and do this for the town and help us raise some money. It’ll be fantastic.”

“He’s super fit, that’s for sure, because he’s been doing these marathons. Hopefully, he’s football fit and gets a few kicks.”

Quartermaine revealed the initial conversations over Franklin’s return had come about on the back of the Tigers beginning to bolster their presence across social media.

“Halfway through last year, when we started posting stuff for our club, he started following us . . . and it sort of went from there,” he said.

“We started talking to his management and the possibilities started to happen and grow from there.”

Franklin spent his childhood growing up on his family’s farm and was awarded a scholarship to board at Wesley College as a 15-year-old.

He was drafted out of Perth by Hawthorn in 2008 and won a pair of premierships and two Coleman Medals with the Hawks before making a blockbuster move to Sydney in 2013, where another flag proved elusive but he again led the league in goal-kicking across another two seasons.

In March, he told the podcast he hosts with fellow Hawthorn legend Shane Crawford he was “really excited” for the day.

“Growing up in Dowerin, the footy club was a huge part of the community, so it’s pretty special to be able to come back and pull on the jumper again,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to getting out there with the boys and helping the club raise money for their facilities.”

Tickets for the day remain available via Eventbrite.