Hawthorn star Lance Franklin joked that in the same situation, he might not be as honest as Carlton fan Gavin Shaw.

When Franklin kicked his 100th goal in the round-22 AFL thrashing of the Blues at Telstra Dome, the ball went into the crowd as thousands of fans streamed onto the field.

Shaw ended up with the prized Sherrin and within seconds, a nearby supporter had made him an offer of $3000.

He later received a $5000 offer, but Shaw had already rung the Hawks that night to let them know he would give it back.

"It would have to come from a very honest person to give this ball - if I'd grabbed it, I probably would have kept it," Franklin said with a grin.

"What am I going to do? - probably sell it."

In truth, Franklin will frame the ball and display it in the pool room at home.

Shaw quipped "don't tell my wife" when asked about the $5000 bid.

"My wife would have loved me to sell it, pay the bills, but I'm a believer in karma and I think the elephant would have come and stomped on my head if I had sold it," Shaw said.

"I love playing footy and if it was me, I would have loved the ball."

The Hawks have sourced two grand final tickets for Shaw as thanks and it will be the first time he has been to the premiership decider since Carlton's 1995 triumph.

Franklin also gave him some signed Hawthorn memorabilia.

"It's `Buddy' Franklin, I will still put it on the wall," Shaw said.

"I appreciate Buddy. He's a champion, I just love good footy."

Briefly taking possession of the ball and Tuesday's meeting with Franklin were a welcome change of football fortune for Shaw.

His left leg was in a moonboot on Tuesday, courtesy of an injury he suffered while playing for the Essendon Superules team.

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