Being asked to play kick-to-kick on the oval by two of your favourite players, Sean Darcy and Joel Hamling is a welcome change of pace for brothers Riley and Toby Franklin who lost their mother Linda due to complications following a double-lung transplant a year ago.

Linda’s husband Jeremy Franklin watched on as his sons met the Freo players after Thursdays training session at Cockburn Central 

Saturday nights clash against the Gold Coast Suns is Fremantle’s Foundation round highlighting charities and organisations close to the hearts of players and supporters.

The Franklin family have been long time supporters of Fremantle, but haven’t attended a game since mother Linda’s eventual passing.

“We were foundation members right from the start”, Franklin said. 

“We used to attend every game, so we would walk from our car park to the ground and it was okay. 

“But slowly as things got worse in the end it was a bit hard to get to the games.”

The family’s connection to the club now comes through close friend and AFLW player Amy Lavell who has taken on Linda’s cause to advocate the importance of organ donations.

“The footy club has been fantastic with the support they’ve shown,” Franklin said.

“It makes you really warm and fuzzy inside to think that people want to help.

“It’s fantastic to think that people put time into a cause that was pretty close to Linda’s heart.”

The Franklin family will be attending the game at Domain Stadium with a match day experience including watching the players warm up, seats in a corporate box and special access to the rooms after the game.