'So proud': Incredible story behind young AFL fan's grand final moment

For little Henry Baum, Saturday’s AFL grand final was particularly special.

Not only did the Auskicker get to present Bachar Houli with his premiership medal, he did so by standing from his wheelchair and walking onto the stage.

‘I TRULY CARE’: Heartwarming reason Bachar Houli was back at MCG on Sunday

As is customary after the AFL grand final, young Auskick players get to hand the medals to the victorious champions.

But when Henry gave Houli his medal, the full gravity of the moment wasn’t immediately clear.

Henry, 8, is battling Perthes' disease - a rare childhood illness that cuts off blood supply to the hip.

He’s undergone a number of operations and spent various stints in hospital.

"My hip died because of Perthes' disease, the blood stopped flowing," Henry told Hamish McLachlan in an interview with Channel 7 in August.

"Now I'm in a wheelchair and I've also got some crutches."

Henry earned the honour of presenting Houli his medal when he was named an Auskicker of the Year nominee in Round 20.

And he was determined to do so without his wheelchair or crutches.

“We are so proud that he walked on stage to present the medal, something that he was determined to do!” AFL Barwon tweeted on Saturday alongside a number of photos of Henry.

Children can recover from Perthes' disease - as Port Adelaide star Karl Amon did after being diagnosed when he was five.

"When I was in a wheelchair, seeing all my mates play footy out in the yard urged me on to get through the rehab," Amon said in an interview in 2015.

Auskickers steal the show

For many, the sight of seeing the Auskickers get their moment is the highlights of the grand final.

And one such youngster stole the show when she presented Jack Riewoldt with his medal.

“You’re my favourite player,” she said.

The adorable moment was captured by Channel 7 cameras and immediately went viral.

“As wholesome as it gets,” the official AFL Twitter account said.