Buddy Franklin is back in footy, and it's all about putting a "smile on the kids faces".
The modern great has been announced as the official ambassador of the new AFL Superkick program, a venture for 8 to 12-year-olds both already involved or looking to get into footy.
Superkick runs weekly one-hour sessions coupling skill development with modified gameplay in addition to the regular underage season.
AFL Queensland head of participation Richie Lyons called it Auskick's "cooler older sibling".
It's just reached 10,000 registrations operating across more that 350 centres, largely school-based, across the country.
Almost a quarter of participants have a parent born overseas.
Franklin's ambassador role is a chance to "give back to this great game", he said.
The 354-gamer, two-time premiership winner and sixth player to 1000 career goals hung up the boots after 19 seasons with the Hawks and Swans.
"I just wanted to play a small part in giving back," he said speaking at Helensvale State School on the Gold Coast Tuesday morning.
"If I could play a small part in helping grow the game up here and across Australia, I'll do that."
A year on from retirement, Franklin said the fire to get back and involved in football recently reignited.
"I obviously wanted to take a big deep breath. I've obviously had that year off now, and probably the last couple of months I've been looking at getting back involved in football in some aspect," he said.
"When this opportunity had come up, I jumped at it and thought, 'You know what? This will work really well for me'.
"I really want to help young kids out and see the game grow as much as possible throughout Australia, and to be here today at this school and have a kick with the kids is incredible."
AFL executive general manager of game development Rob Auld said the league is "thrilled" to have Buddy on board.
"Lance not only achieved an incredible amount on the field during his career, but he also inspired a whole generation of young children, so to have him giving back to game development initiatives will help strengthen our foundation and grassroots," Auld said.
Franklin will have some hands-on involvement with participants.
"I think the most important thing is seeing the smile on the kids faces...then also getting out there and building new friendships," he said.
"I think that's the most important thing; being active, getting outside and building new friendships is really important in this program."
The 37-year-old said he's "loving" his new home on the Gold Coast
As for his former club, Franklin says the Swans "are going to be really hard to beat" if they can sure-up home finals at the top of the ladder with two games remaining in the home-and-away season.
"Hopefully they can go all the way," Franklin said.
