Franks for the memories. Things don't always go well with COLA

[Hoogmeister]

In 2007 I was asked by my parents to make a final decision. For twelve years I had been supporting the hawks and the cats, to please both of my parents, but the time came where I needed to choose just one.

The cats were dominating the season and would go on to win the grand final by a record margin and become premiers. Hawthorn had Lance Franklin.

Surely I should pick the stronger team, the 'greatest team of all', right? And I would have, if Hawthorn didn't have a player that caught my eye. Lance 'Buddy' Franklin. It was this single player that ultimately influenced my decision to choose the mighty fighting hawks.

In the same year I would find myself in hospital having brain surgery to remove a tumour. When I woke up after the surgery I saw next to me a Hawthorn guernsey. Signed by my favourite player, Buddy. I truly felt a part of the club after receiving my first guernsey and felt extremely lucky for it to be signed by one of my heroes.

In the years that followed I witnessed Geelong dominance. But I do not regret my decision. This club means the world to me and I have enjoyed every moment.

If it weren't for Buddy Franklin I might have been a Geelong supporter, and there aren't many things worse than that.

So thank you, Buddy, for guiding me towards the light. You aren't known for doing good deeds but this is at least one you can add to your CV. While your decision has disappointed me, I still wish you luck in the future. Thanks for the memories.

 

[Makedonija]

OUT: Judas

IN: Jesus

Surely we should now play Geelong on Easter Sunday?
The resurrection of Hawthorn's saviour.

 

[Davo23]

He's been lying so much, so thoroughly, that anything he says has to be seen as totally disingenuous and insincere. I mean, this is the guy who purportedly, depends on who's story you believe, contacted the Swans after losing the Grand Final... I'd take the word of a magic cue ball over the barely plausible grunts of a traitor. Cop that Franko, I know you're reading it too.

I think you're heavily overstating Buddy's abilities.
He can barely speak English. He mainly answers most questions with "the boys had a really good game today".

Don't forget his parents have been on welfare for over 20 years.

Not criticising you, but I also doubt that he even has the skills to be disingenuous or insincere.
He's just a big, dumb guy who happens to be good at a sport.

.

 

[grizzlym]

I think you're heavily overstating Buddy's abilities.
He can barely speak English. He mainly answers most questions with "the boys had a really good game today".

Don't forget his parents have been on welfare for over 20 years.

Not criticising you, but I also doubt that he even has the skills to be disingenuous or insincere.
He's just a big, dumb guy who happens to be good at a sport.

.

Well, both of those words can be simply seen as descriptors for someone who's been lying for a year, then says something apparently from the heart... I knows buddy probably thinks those words are names of racehorses....

 

[Cyrilyouchampion]

Still a couple of twists to occur. Just wait for it guys.

Its a win/win if we match it.

If we match it and the swans say the contract is off the table, then i'm 100% sure that Buddy won't want to come back to Hawthorn after what he has just done. It either means that he will decline the contract and seek a trade or delistment.

Just wait for it

Agree - we are a well managed and superbly run football club and should not, and will not, take this lying down. Like I said in a previous post, the Hawthorn Football Club has been very quiet in all this, which says to me that they are plotting something or doing the numbers.

 

[Main Man]

Still a couple of twists to occur. Just wait for it guys.

Its a win/win if we match it.

If we match it and the swans say the contract is off the table, then i'm 100% sure that Buddy won't want to come back to Hawthorn after what he has just done. It either means that he will decline the contract and seek a trade or delistment.

Just wait for it

I have no doubt that there are some twists to come yet but not sure that it will be what you have suggested.

The same bloke that declared this Franklin scenario back in March on a different forum believes there will be a few pieces of information that will be released by the club in the coming weeks, didn't say what they were but said they were not explosive like this weeks events.

He did however say that the club is in VERY capable hands and that no stones go unturned in keeping the Hawks up the top of the ladder where we belong.

My view is that the club was most definitely aware of him departing (not sure if they knew about Sydney) at seasons end when the offer was officially removed by Hawthorn at the end of July, I think the club has been 100% focused on who we can get to the club since that time, we will come out of this on top.

 

[Davo23]

TL,DR .

.

 

[Hawks2011]

I honestly don't think he is that much of a loss. I've noticed this year that he is looking a lot older and I genuinely think he will retire in 4-5 years. I think he is past his peak and we have Roughead and Gunston for the next 5-7 years, which is more than enough. Once everything has played out , and there is a lot to play out trust me, then we will have come out of this trade period with a big win!

 

[A Diakos]

I think you're heavily overstating Buddy's abilities.
He can barely speak English. He mainly answers most questions with "the boys had a really good game today".

Don't forget his parents have been on welfare for over 20 years.

Not criticising you, but I also doubt that he even has the skills to be disingenuous or insincere.
He's just a big, dumb guy who happens to be good at a sport.

.

you can be big and dumb and have parents on welfare....not one person judges or should judge you for this...to be a disloyal compulsive liar, everyone judges you for this

 

[A Diakos]

Did anybody see his interview today and the bit about how much his leaving must hurt Clarkson and his family? What was that about? Seemed very weird.

not one mention of the fans and members....pretty sure we are the reason these guys get paid what they do

 

[seysearles]

If he completes his 9 years at sydney, would he be considered a hawk or swan??

Even if he does 5yrs he will be considered a swan at retirement. Look at Tony Locket or Paul Roos. Ask most people which club either of those guys represent and they'll say Sydney. This in spite of the fact that Roos played 3/4 of his career with Fitzroy. Franklin if this 9year deal gets anywhere close to running its length will almost play as many games at Sydney as he has at Hawthorn (182games).

Tony Lockett
St Kilda: 183games
Sydney: 98games

Paul Roos
Fitzroy: 269games
Sydney: 87games

 

[crazywildhorse]

Before this thread ends, it must be reiterated that Buddy is about as sharp as a bowling ball, and there has been too much about him being like a snake and sinister blah blah. His tears on GF were real, he just has a limited capacity to understand what the ramifications of what he was going to do. This is probably how he treats his girlfriends. I think he genuinely thinks everyone will get over it soon and move on. I don't just say this because of what happened, but he has always somewhat reminded me of Forest Gump when he played college football. Borrowing lines of that coach said "he must be the stupidest son of a bitch alive", but he sure is good". On that note, I shudder to think what would of come of him had he played for the Saints.

 

[dermott]

I have just got back from overseas and must say I am astounded that Sydney has been stupid enough to offer a 27 year old player a nine year contract. Am i missing something here? The AFL has to investigate this even if it is their own team offering the deal. If Franklin is injured or washed up post 30 Sydney will be financially crippled by this contract.
Other than that I have no problem with Franklin moving on providing we are adequately compensated.We have had his best footy years and would not want to destroy our list management opportunities by paying megabuck contracts to guys. Geelong won a premiership post Ablett and we will win one post Franklin.
Let the parasitic clubs destroy themselves in a player arms race and we will analytically improve our team with intelligent list management.
I wish Franklin luck in his future career which i suspect has plateaued and soon start to decline.

 

[LuvMyHawks]

Can he READ and WRITE too? Sometimes I doubt it,there are times he has trouble putting a sentence together When you look around there are some good players,but dumb to boot.I guess if you can play sport, you are considered such a smart person. Doesn't matter if you can't read or write in this day and age!

 

[Cleavy]

sorry if this question has been asked or answered previously, but how many other players on our list does Liam Pickering represent?

 

[treefingers]

So what do I do with my #23 jumper now? I'm not going to bother forking out for another one, I'm thinking of sticking BRERETON above the number, thoughts?

 

[crazywildhorse]

Even if he does 5yrs he will be considered a swan at retirement. Look at Tony Locket or Paul Roos. Ask most people which club either of those guys represent and they'll say Sydney. This in spite of the fact that Roos played 3/4 of his career with Fitzroy. Franklin if this 9year deal gets anywhere close to running its length will almost play as many games at Sydney as he has at Hawthorn (182games).

Tony Lockett
St Kilda: 183games
Sydney: 98games

Paul Roos
Fitzroy: 269games
Sydney: 87games

To me Lockett is a Saint, and Roos became a Swan as a result of going on to coach them.

 

[WillowSF]

Buddy has it + and - points -

On the plus -

• Buddy has been great for the Hawks and provided plenty of AMAZING moments for us fans and I will always be thankful for that.
• He will take up considerable cap space for the Swans.
• He is a BIG risk for the Swans both on and off the field.
• Coupled with Tippett, he may start to change the feeling within Sydney about what their current stars are perceived to be worth to the club itself.
• He IS past his best. They might get 2 good seasons from him, maybe 3. He can't mark above his head anymore and has not been near his best since that time.
• He will draw HUGE attention to the COLA situation, which may drive the AFL to do something.. We can only hope.
• He frees up 1.1 Mil in the cap and with Ozzie and Ellis likely gone and Goo a 50/50 shot, we will probably have 1.6 - 1.8 mil to throw around.
• It might be like when Youngy left last year we said to Smith, Savage and Hill that the best performer will be given games. We saw Smithy and Hill stand up. Maybe that will happen with Spang and Grimley this year.

On the negative

• Not happy that he went to the Swans, after they beat us in the GF, and specified them. I can see why, but I am not happy.
• Not happy with getting pick 20 for Buddy. Ridiculous, and Buddy seemed to be happy to leave us in the lurch with the whole thing.
• Strengthens the Swans no end. Whilst he is past his best, he still kicks 60 odd goals a year and is a nightmare match up.

Agree with everything in this post but I don't understand why people think he is past it and is only going to kick 60 goals. Franklin has eluded to the likelihood that he is going to be played at full forward. Buddy is a supremely gifted athlete and an incredibly talented footballer. If he plays 20 games next year I say he's gonna kick pretty close to 80 goals if not more. I think we are seriously underestimating how good he has been and will continue to be. He is in the prime of his career. A massive loss and pick 20 is not even close.

 

[chaddles]

I think it's getting a bit low when the attacks are getting personal regarding literacy and intelligence - especially if he has to get a minder to read this to him.

Seriously though he had damaged his own standing with Hawthorn supporters through his subterfuge this year, and he will deserve every boo he gets when he plays us. Sydney at the G with 60,000 fans booing him will bring home reality of what he has done.

Just wait until the trade period is done, see what the club has in store and once the season starts next year you will see that the club will be stronger.

 

[Hank93]

I call on the AFL to schedule back to back rounds; Sydney v Hawthorn @ MCG, Sydney v Adelaide @ Adelaide Oval.

It can be a special double "booooooo" theme rounds.

 

[LuvMyHawks]

So what do I do with my #23 jumper now? I'm not going to bother forking out for another one, I'm thinking of sticking BRERETON above the number, thoughts?

Take the 3 off, and you will have no.2 ROUGHIE...

 

[LuvMyHawks]

If Buddy decides to leave in 4 years, would he still have to be paid out for the remaining 5 years?I guess he would still get paid.

 

[MrFujiMoto]

If Buddy decides to leave in 4 years, would he still have to be paid out for the remaining 5 years?I guess he would still get paid.

yep and the silver lining to that is it still counts to Sydney's cap

 

[Bremner20]

I have just got back from overseas and must say I am astounded that Sydney has been stupid enough to offer a 27 year old player a nine year contract. Am i missing something here? The AFL has to investigate this even if it is their own team offering the deal. If Franklin is injured or washed up post 30 Sydney will be financially crippled by this contract.
Other than that I have no problem with Franklin moving on providing we are adequately compensated.We have had his best footy years and would not want to destroy our list management opportunities by paying megabuck contracts to guys. Geelong won a premiership post Ablett and we will win one post Franklin.
Let the parasitic clubs destroy themselves in a player arms race and we will analytically improve our team with intelligent list management.
I wish Franklin luck in his future career which i suspect has plateaued and soon start to decline.

Then we will be propping them up again with equalisation funding ,the AFL wouldn't dare cut their Sydney love child loose. One thing is sure Buddy won't have to worry about being suspended anymore now that he will be wearing a swans Guernsey and lookout any defender wanting to restrict his run by hanging on like they could get away with without giving away a free kick when he played for us ,the umps will be right onto it.

 

[Boot Studder]

Take the 3 off, and you will have no.2 ROUGHIE...

Yes, or change the 2 to a 3 and have Junior. I think Cyril could gain a lot of jumper followers next season.