The legendary Wayne Carey will make a comeback with the Lions - the Palm Beach-Currumbin Lions, that is.

The former AFL star has confirmed he will make a one-off appearance for the QAFL division two team in their clash with Maroochy-Northshore on the Gold Coast on Saturday to raise money for charity.

Carey, 38, will play for the first time since retiring from AFL football with the Adelaide Crows in 2004.

The former North Melbourne premiership-winning captain has waived any match fee, opting instead to have a percentage of the gate receipts donated to Whitelion.

Australian charity Whitelion works with at-risk young people providing them with role models, mentoring and employment support.

The former All-Australian forward is considered one of the AFL's greatest players but arguably made more headlines off the field than on it.

However, Carey appears intent on changing all that by assisting the charity.

"I have worked with a lot of charities in the past, but Whitelion really appealed to me," Carey said in a statement.

"The kids involved in their programs have often had a really tough upbringing and haven't had a lot of opportunities.

"To be able to assist them in any way is really important."

Whitelion CEO Mark Watt said he was "extremely grateful" for Carey's support.

Carey had got tongues wagging on the Queensland tourist strip after training twice with the Lions in the past two weeks.

After pulling up from a Thursday night run with the club, Carey confirmed he would don his famous No.18 jumper again - albeit in the Lions' colours.

Carey admitted he didn't know everyone's name in the Lions team but had clearly bonded with one teammate.

Palm Beach full-forward Adrian Hille was involved in the construction of Carey's million-dollar waterfront home in Broadbeach on the Gold Coast.

Hille planted the seed for Carey's comeback.

"This charity thing and having a kick was raised and it intrigued me a bit and I thought `why not'," Carey told the QAFL website.

"I've had some physio on a calf and now I'm looking forward to it.

"I'm not too concerned about my fitness or anything like that, but I suppose not having played for four-and-a-half years is a worry.

"It'll be good fun. It'll be good to be at a footy club again and having a kick with a few of the blokes."

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