The unlikely donor caught the ball in the crowd as fans began to run on to the playing surface. Shaw had been offered up to $5000 for its sale but chose instead to donate the ball to 'Buddy'.
Franklin was tongue-in-cheek when asked about his plans for the ball.
"I'm going to sell it," he joked before confirming that the ball would be encased and take pride of place in his pool room at home.
Buddy described Shaw as an honest person and quipped that he “probably would have kept it” if he had been in his position and caught the ball.
As a reward for returning the Sherrin, Franklin signed a guernsey for Shaw who will also get grand final tickets. Despite being a Blues’ supporter, he said the signed jumper would hold pride of place in his home.
“It’s Buddy Franklin, I’ll still put it on my wall,” Shaw said.
