Fan who grabbed the priceless Sherrin kicked by Buddy Franklin for his 1000th goal vows to hand it BACK to the star – after club begged for its return
- Vision online shows fan Alex Wheeler reeling in ball from Buddy’s 1,000th goal
- Sydney Swans then launched appeal to get the ball back – which was successful
- Wheeler confirmed he will meet with the club – and Buddy Franklin – on Monday
- Some memorabilia experts believe the yellow Sherrin could be worth $200,000
The lucky footy fan who caught the Sherrin booted by Buddy Franklin for his 1,000th career goal in the AFL has vowed to return the prized item.
To the relief of the Sydney Swans, supporter Alex Wheeler, who attended Friday’s match at the SCG versus Geelong, broke his silence online less than 24 hours later.
Taking to Instagram, fellow Swans tragic Matt King posted a picture of his mate Wheeler and the in-demand footy with an accompanying message – ‘Update on the pill. She’ll be returned. Big things coming on Tuesday.’
It followed the Swans launching a desperate appeal for the ball back – so it can be gifted to Franklin as a reminder of his landmark goal.
Given the Sherrin has been valued at $200,000 by some memorabilia experts, there were initial fears it wouldn’t be sighted again.
The club even resorted to sending out a message on Twitter advising the mystery fan they would have the chance to meet the Swans superstar in person – providing the yellow Sherrin wasn’t destroyed.
The footy fan who caught the Sherrin booted by Buddy Franklin (pictured) for his 1000th career goal in the AFL has vowed to give the ball back to the club
Swans fan Alex Wheeler couldn’t believe his luck after emerging with the Sherrin that Franklin slotted home to bring up his incredible milestone on Friday at the SCG
‘To the person who caught the ball, we would love to get it back for Buddy! We’re inviting you to training to meet Lance and present the ball to him. Get in our DMs pls!!’ the Swans tweeted on Saturday morning.
Manic video footage emerged earlier of Swans fans clamouring to reel in the ball once it reached the stands, with Wheeler emerging from the chaos clutching the prize close to his chest.
‘I’ve got the pill, I’ve got the pill, I have the pill, I have to get out of here,’ he said.
The Swans probably got off lightly with the reward they had to offer to entice King to return the ball.
NFL superstar Tom Brady recently gave Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan Byron Kennedy a Bitcoin valued at almost $60,000 for returning the ball from his 600th career touchdown pass.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan hailed the 1000th goal as ‘one of the best moments I have ever seen in football’.
‘Lance Franklin achieved a remarkable milestone, a feat we may never have the privilege of witnessing again,’ he said.
‘Everyone at the SCG was glued to his every move and, as he has so many times across his career, Buddy delivered a most magical moment and created one of the most euphoric, joyful scenes ever seen in football.
‘The supporters at the ground shared in the milestone, I thank them for celebrating in the right way. To watch all the footage coming through this morning reminds us why we have the greatest fans in the world.’
The moment Buddy Franklin sent Swans supporters into raptures on Friday at the SCG after booting his 1000th career goal
Franklin winds up and kicks his 1,000th AFL goal in the fourth quarter of their round two match against Geelong at the SCG on Friday night