Never thought I would say buddy is actually underrated. People are assuming Boyd and Patton, who have played a couple of games between them, are better than the best forward in the comp over the last 10 years at least? Please. The contract obviously affected his performance this year. I suppose Sydney would knock back Ablett because they have jack/hanners/rok/kennedy/parker etc
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AFLW 2024 - Round 10 - Chat, game threads, injury lists, team lineups and more.
Can someone explain why GWS need Franklin?
- Thread starter outabounds
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There are maybe 2-3 true marquee players in the comp and the biggest is Franklin and GWS don't care about cash.
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True, but I honestly can't see that happening.
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Both have at least 12 years in front of them, does it make sense to lose one?
smasha
It's Time!
They probably don't need him but Vlad needs him to get the cash flowing up there.
Sttew
Brownlow Medallist
They need Buddy. Name one drawcard player at GWS at the moment..........................................................you can't
I agree with the first part, disagree with the last line.
I actually think Franklin's name and gameplay is not as marketable as people think. He's a has-been. But what is very marketable is his personality. The guy has an infectious rockstar personality that will go down like a treat in Sydney. As long as he doesn't embarrass himself on the field (which he won't) I predict the Sydney media will love him. He's Capper all over again.
If you've got the cash to spare, I think this is a good marketing move.
Sttew
Brownlow Medallist
Jeremy Cameron is a future star, but he does not put bums on seats a la Buddy, Gary Ablett Snr, and a Tony Lockett. I bet if you asked 100 Sydneysiders "who is Jeremy Cameron", they'd probably respond sheepishly, "Cameron is the British prime minister?"
Maybe, and no he won't. The Sydney AFL market has grown up. We learned from the Folau experiment.
Buddy might kick 80 goals for the duration of his contract. It will dent his ego to be second banana to Cameron.
For all that, happy to be proved wrong, I do wish Buddy well, and hope the move is a success.
Sttew
Brownlow Medallist
Maybe "on the field", but Buddy has a life outside football that would appeal to Sydney. He has his own brand of clothing, and is closest thing to a rock star in football.
Buddy has played second fiddle or banana to Roughead this year.
speedytiger
Club Legend
Mate how'd you get tickets to the Maxi tampon cup?
Well we pulled some strings....
Ahhh larry the cable guy
Sttew
Brownlow Medallist
I don't think he is a s good a player, but he has massive draw power. ATM he would be the AFL's No.1 or 2 drawcard player, IMO.
And if you're happy to continue seeing "NRL" crowds of 7,000 at GWS games, then there's little hope for GWS
Oddly, I remember those sort of crowds before, and Simon Minton-Connell was at full forward.
The problem is not next year - Buddy will be OK. The problems will be in three years, while he is still on very good money and he's got two steps slower. He can't mark over his head. He's not a particularly smart player. He's not especially strong. He's heavily reliant on athleticism ... and that means as he gets older, he'll get a lot worse very quickly.
Oh, and as far as very marketable players making you a success in improving gate takings the Sydney market - Im pretty sure the name Jarryd Hayne doesnt mean anything to you.
Brilliant. Electrifying. Capable of amazing things.
And did two thirds of stuff all for Parra's crowds.
Nope. We need the ability to run out four quarters, and we need to keep our good young kids as they become very good players.
Buddy doesnt help with that. Freo or Sydney are welcome to him.
Sttew
Brownlow Medallist
You don't want Buddy then?!
Colonial
Premium Gold
- Apr 12, 2012
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Jezza is younger and will be better. On field and Off.
Look at what Bud has achieved over a sustained period - he deserves respect. He's played a team-role this year and has been restricted by injuries, but still has done pretty well for a 'has been'. Cameron is a young gun, but still needs to deliver on his potential for a number of years to match Buddy. If anything, Buddy is being underrated by many. Don't get me wrong, though, Cameron has had a brilliant year and seems like a great young man.
Colonial
Premium Gold
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I do have respect for the guy, but Jezza will do that and more (fingers crossed) and is already getting a profile up here in Sydney.
I just don't like the fact we will be spending that much on an area where we will be covered. There are more important positions that need filling.
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Marketing for starters.
Colonial
Premium Gold
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The thing is though Jezza is building a rather large profile already, if he keeps going like he is then it will reach the same heights.
I agree with you 100% there, in fact that's what makes me so sad - the idea that he's being lured by GWS for his marketability rather than his football prowess. We love him at Hawthorn - we've seen him debut as a skinny teen in #38 transform into a star. I'm just so sad at the idea of him leaving and playing against the brown and gold
