Buddy off to Sydney...Swans!

[Dutchy]

And Trigg enters the debate about "Fairness"

Shouldnt he just STFU and keep quiet for a year or so?

And finally, Adelaide issued a statement commenting on the situation which will see Franklin end up at Sydney, one of the two clubs that have a "cost of living" benefit provided by the AFL.

"There has been a lot of debate over a long time about the fairness of the Cost of Living Allowance, and the fact that it extends to nearly $1 million extra in the salary cap," Crows CEO Steven Trigg said.

"On one hand, you want the competition to be fair in terms of where there is a genuine extra cost involved. On the other hand, at the moment, the rest of the competition would say it's providing a capacity to land marquee players."

"For that reason as well as the fact that the competition is having a broader look at equalisation, the Cost of Living Allowance and various other allowances around the competition need to be – and we understand will be – brought into question as other equalisation levers are looked at."

"Every club in every market has certain uniqueness. Within that, there's another layer of advantages and disadvantages to do with stadium deals, clubs with gaming and clubs without, raw membership numbers and bottom-line profitability. All of these elements create a requirement for a multi-layered review of equalisation."

"It's the right approach that the AFL is undertaking. Our understanding is that every club is in support of this broad approach to reviewing equalisation, which says there may be a better way to create an equal competition without these sorts of allowances that create doubt about their effectiveness."

[The Sleeping Giant]

Got a feeling this wont end well for the swans, Id be nervous signing Buddy to anything longer than a 2 year contract. When was the last time he took a mark above eye level? His body is banged up, discipline is questionable and with the Hawks playing finals ever since he started playing he has played another season than the average players already.

All Australian in 2008, 2010-2012. Still kicked 60 goals this year playing a decoy role.

[Tassie Blues]

well done to Sydney but by the sounds of it Buddy wanted to go there so that makes it much easier to get a deal done. 9 year is a long time and just hope he can still play in 9 years time or Sydney could have a few issues.

More clubs need to be more aggressive with free agents form now on and work on getting them across a year or so before they become a free agent.

[The Sleeping Giant]

9 years is a risk, but much better than average chance the reward could be worth it.

[Tassie Blues]

9 years is a risk, but much better than average chance the reward could be worth it.

I guess only time will tell. Almost want a hawks swan GF next year.

[woodublieve12]

9 years is a risk, but much better than average chance the reward could be worth it.

4-5 years playing the rest developmental.

[woodublieve12]

I'm sure people were more than happy to let him go to GWS. People are only angry because he has gone to a club that might prevent other clubs from winning flag.
In fact, per year, GWS AND Hawthorn offered more. So greed has nothing to do with it

[interested observer]

9 years is a risk, but much better than average chance the reward could be worth it.

Well done to Sydney.
Aggressive recruiting that free agency now allows so we all may as well get used to it.

Hopefully the "3rd Strike" does not come in the 1st year or 2...

[GWW]

Most people accept GWS's concession, although a little reluctantly, because they are a new club.

I imagine its not as easy for most people to accept Sydney getting this deal done, due to their continuing extra salary cap allowance, and the fact they were able to do the same thing with Tippett last year.

[Dissident]

*cough* chronic fatigue

[rod_rooster]

Good luck to him. Will be remembered fondly by Hawthorn. He wants to live in Sydney so what chance have the Hawks got. GWS is a joke so they were little chance especially given their location. 9 year deal is likely to blow up in the Swans face though. Huge risk on a bloke who relies on his athletic ability as much as Buddy. At 35/36 he won't be the same player if indeed he makes it that far. Lynch was a big strong brute who used that to his advantage from day 1 and he wasn't going to lose that as he aged. Franklin isn't that type.

End of the day he's a very good player who will be a loss for the Hawks. Not to the same extent losing a Roughie would be but anyone suggesting Hawthorn won't be worse off for his leaving is kidding themselves. Will offer greater opportunities to others though and the distraction of his off field behaviour won't be missed. It will be nice to see some other Hawks get some more recognition now though as the team is far more than just Franklin despite what the media suggests most of the time.

[The Sleeping Giant]

Don't forget Roughead got the 2nd best defender all year. Not next year.

[rod_rooster]

He's more than just a key forward. Regardless, the type of defender you play on Franklin is different to Roughead anyway. Didn't see Scarlett go to Buddy too often but you could easily make the case that he was Geelong's best defender (possibly ever). We'll see how it works out but i don't see Hawthorn missing the distraction that goes along with the Franklin circus. Will miss his onfield skills and his marketing power but i'm pretty sure the club will be able to survive.

Biggest question will be how Swans fans view this decision in a few years if they don't have some success? They really should be virtually unstoppable if their list stays fit.

[the wonder elephant]

soon to be like the epl I think bullies , melb, saints to be insolvent and kangas not far behind ... Afl will continue to prop up clubs in the markets they want the tv rights from so in the end something will have to give .... which means the bottom of the barrel melbourne clubs ...should only be a few more years till we see the next Fitzroy situation ... just my take on things may be wrong

[smac]

Lynch signed for 10 years, and actually did 11.

Slept for 6 of them.

[Gozu]

If the media talk is right the Swans offering him a 9 year deal for $10m you've got to take that if your Buddy but stinks a premiership team one year removed can add Tippett & now Buddy to that team.

[daysofourlives]

We managed to miss the finals in 09 with Franklin and were average in 10, hope he transforms $ydney to that sort of level.
They are putting at massive risk their so called culture built this century by the recruitment of 2 of the most selfish players in the comp.

Think Buddy might enjoy the Bondi lifestyle a bit too much.

[daysofourlives]

9 years is a risk, but much better than average chance the reward could be worth it.

4-5 years playing the rest developmental.

The contract would have to be all playing and all included in salary cap.

[The Sleeping Giant]

We managed to miss the finals in 09 with Franklin and were average in 10, hope he transforms $ydney to that sort of level.
They are putting at massive risk their so called culture built this century by the recruitment of 2 of the most selfish players in the comp.

Think Buddy might enjoy the Bondi lifestyle a bit too much.

All reports are Tippett is a model footballer at Sydney. Apparently all the players at Hawthorn love Buddy and he one you 2 premierships up until today. You are giving mixed messages.

[The Sleeping Giant]

9 years is a risk, but much better than average chance the reward could be worth it.

4-5 years playing the rest developmental.

The contract would have to be all playing and all included in salary cap.

You forgot the woodie.