Coleman Medallist Lance Franklin has been reunited with the most precious memento of his budding career - the football he slammed through for his 100th goal for the season against Carlton at Telstra Dome last Saturday week.
And it was not a Hawk but a Carlton supporter, Gavin Shaw, who did the right thing by knocking back big offers for the ball to return it to Franklin.
The fate of the footy was lost in the confusion that erupted on the field following Franklin's historic goal at the Coventry End late in the opening term against the Blues.
Shaw, 38, from Taylor's Hill, said he thought he was a chance when the footy lobbed just in front of him.
"It spilled off blokes in front of me and kicked up and I ended up grabbing it and everyone tried grabbing it off me," he said.
"Then I just sat there and I thought the security were going to come and ask for it."
Shaw said it had always been his intention to return the ball and the club was delighted to hear from him, inviting him to Waverley on Tuesday where Franklin presented him with some signed memorabilia and two AFL Grand Final tickets.
"The guy in front of me offered three grand for it on the spot - he said he was going to do it for a charity - but I said I would hang on and see what happens," said Shaw.
"I got another offer of $5000 down the track and my wife would have loved me to sell and pay the bills, but I'm a believer in karma."
"I would rather give it back, and if it had been me (in Franklin's position) I would have loved the ball."
Franklin thanked Shaw for his honesty and confessed that he might not have known what to do if the tables were turned.
"If I'd grabbed it I probably would have kept it," Franklin admitted.
Asked what he would do with the ball, Franklin joked: "I'll probably sell it!"