THE AFL's greatest goalkicker will return to Sydney to mentor the League's modern-day goalkicking champion.
Tony Lockett, who booted 1360 goals in an extraordinary career for St Kilda and the Swans, will travel from his Bowral home once a fortnight to help guide the Swans forwards including Lance Franklin, Kurt Tippett and Sam Reid.
Bowral is a little under an hour-and-a-half from Sydney by car.
It is the 1987 Brownlow medallist's first official involvement with an AFL club since he retired for a second and final time in 2002.
Coach John Longmire told sydneyswans.com.au the club had been chasing Lockett for some time.
"It's fantastic for our players to have access to Tony during our training sessions," Longmire said.
"He obviously knows a thing or two about goalkicking, and to be able to draw upon that experience and knowledge can only be a good thing for our players.
"We've been wanting to get Tony back for quite a few years now.
"He seems to be keen to get involved, so it's really good for our younger players in particular to have access to his knowledge."
Franklin has slotted 787 goals to sit 12th on the all-time VFL/AFL goalkicking list and is contracted until the end of 2022.
Franklin is 13 goals shy of Matthew Richardson (800) while another 31 would see him overtake Bernie Quinlan (817) and enter the top 10.
Lockett attended the Swans' 2014 best and fairest to present Franklin with his Coleman Medal, much to the delight of 'Buddy'.
Greatest VFL/AFL goalkickers
1. Tony Lockett (StK/Syd) 1360
2. Gordon Coventry (Coll) 1299
3. Jason Dunstall (Haw) 1254
4. Doug Wade (Geel/NM) 1057
5. Gary Ablett (Haw/Geel) 1030
6. Jack Titus (Rich) 970
7. Matthew Lloyd (Ess) 926
8. Leigh Matthews (Haw) 915
9. Peter McKenna (Coll/Carl) 874
10. Bernie Quinlan (Foots/Fitz) 817
11. Matthew Richardson (Rich) 800
12. Lance Franklin (Haw/Syd) 787
Sam Reid watches Tony Lockett's goalkicking action. Picture: sydneyswans.com.au
