Sydney Swans fan Alex has returned the ball that Lance Franklin kicked his 1000th goal with at the SCG on Monday morning.
Alongside getting to shake the hand of one of the all-time greats, Alex was gifted a signed pair of Buddy 1000 boots, a guernsey, football as well as Sydney Swans and SCG memberships.
Vision emerged on social media on Saturday morning of Alex catching the ball in the stands and a search for him and the prized 1000th goal ball followed.
"There was so many people rushing to the fence, which helped me get to the ball," Alex said.
"It was unbelievable that I had the chance to have a crack at it and it landed in the paw and the rest is history!
The ball is back with Bud! #Buddy1000 pic.twitter.com/DufmPGQE4C
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) March 27, 2022
"I had a couple of stubbies and went to one of the local pubs but I got too paranoid that someone was going to knock it off so I went home pretty early and I cuddled up to it in bed!
"It was always my intention to get it back to the Swans and to Bud. I don't have a pool room so it is not much use to me! I wanted to see it back at the SCG, so the young guys can cherish that moment."
With every media outlet in the country chasing the story, Alex's phone has been running hot since the event.
"It's been a big couple of days, I live a pretty simple life so it's been pretty massive. But it's a great story to the tell the family and the kids and something I will cherish forever."
