Buddy went up to the SCG during the first term of the school holidays, along with 1000 other Auskickers to celebrate Sydney Swans star Buddy Franklin's 1000 goal.

The Ulladulla Dockers player is heading into his second Auskick season in 2022.

He wasn't present on the night when the Swans star kicked his 1000th career goal but was present for the commemorative photo for Buddy Franklin's 1000 goal celebrated with 1000 Auskick kids.

The youngster was one of a small handful of children that got to have a special photo with Buddy Franklin - the representative for the South Coast region.

They did get to meet Buddy as well and all the Auskickers got autographs of the entire 2022 Swans team.

Buddy's mother Emma Taylor said it was a day the five-year-old would remember for a long time

"He was super excited about the whole experience and is currently Buddy Franklin's biggest fan. It was truly great experience," Emma said.

Meanwhile, each of the children, aged between five and 12 years old at the event, represented each free NAB AFL Auskick registration the AFL offered in celebration of Franklin's 1,000 goal milestone.

Buddy F was happy to see them all.

"It's pretty special to have the kids here today, it means a lot to me, and shows how Auskick is thriving in NSW and all over Australia. My main message to kids out there wanting to play footy is to just have fun, you can meet some new friends and enjoy your time being active," Buddy F said.

There are more than 450 centres in NSW/ACT, with Auskickers coming from far and wide for the afternoon with Franklin at the SCG, such as the ACT, Central Coast, Northern Rivers, Riverina, Illawarra, and Hunter regions, as well as the Greater Sydney area.

The free NAB AFL Auskick registrations provided an opportunity for 1,000 children and their families to get involved in footy in 2022. State registration numbers are up 10 per cent on last year's participation numbers, with the full season yet to get underway across the NSW and ACT regions.

Buddy F ensured 100 of the free NAB Auskick registrations were reserved for Indigenous participants, which has been buoyed by the 12 per cent increase in registrations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in NSW/ACT.

The NAB AFL Auskick season has commenced all over the nation, with more than 100,000 children expected to make their return to footy by the end of May.

AFL Executive General Manager Game Development, Rob Auld said the program is the perfect introduction for kids of all abilities and skill levels.

"NAB AFL Auskick provides kids with so much more than the opportunity to play footy, it's about them connecting with their friends, learning valuable social and physical skills while building their confidence," Auld said.

"The return of the NAB AFL Auskick this year is even more special after two years of uncertainty, and we're thankful to the volunteers, coaches, and families for their commitment to getting their kids back this season."

AFL Executive General Manager Customer and Commercial, Kylie Rogers, said the support of partner NAB ensured the grassroots program could continue to thrive.

"With the support of NAB, there are over 2,000 national NAB AFL Auskick centres around Australia welcoming back kids this month to play footy, in an environment that fosters self-expression, and promotes fun and inclusiveness. Together, the AFL and NAB are committed to providing the kids with the opportunity to enjoy football and I'd like to thank NAB for their unwavering support of the program since 2006," Rogers said

For more information about NAB AFL Auskick you can visit play.afl/auskick