LANCE Franklin's home town won’t be willing on its most famous former resident in Saturday’s Grand Final, with support edging Fremantle’s way.

The champion goalkicker played much of his childhood football out of Dowerin in West Australia’s wheat belt.

Brian Wilson used to drive his son David along with Franklin and his father ‘Big Lance’ the 150km to Perth to play footy, as the pair’s footy aspirations advanced.

The now Hawthorn hero used to be one of David’s best mates.

"Those were the days, the Franklins only had one car … and I’d take Buddy and Big Lance and Davo off to footy," Wilson told AFL.com.au.

But the town with a population of little more than 300 people isn’t going mad for Franklin's Hawks, sticking true with WA and backing Fremantle in its first Grand Final.

"We just hate you guys, you eastern stators - take that in the nicest way," Wilson joked.

Wilson is a director of the local Mortlock League where Dowerin has won back-to-back flags.

He still has some contact with Big Lance, not so much with Buddy.

But the 60-year-old farmer says Franklin should jump at a mega offer from Greater Western Sydney.

"Crikey, if he can get the money, go for it," he said.

He says he’s also kept track of Franklin’s rock-star lifestyle.

"He was only a youngster when he was here, but good on him, go for it, he’s a star," he said.