Trade Whispers / Rumours and Confirmations

[Primmy]

I'd love it, I'd have no issue with the rest of the competition hating us.

Well Adelaide hate us, why not Melbourne clubs as well. At least we would get a bit of media exposure south of the border - Hilarious times.

[Industrial Fan]

Surely its rubbish? How could we fit him in with Tippett if we are going to hang onto our midfield? If I was GWS I'd be making both Jacks offers they couldnt refuse.

[ugg]

If we get buddy, you can lock in that reid will be a defender long term.

Or perhaps out the door

[erica]

Am I the only one who thinks Franklin is over-rated? Yes, he can break open a game (sometimes) but he's terribly unreliable.

[Matt80]

Would be absolutely amazing to get Buddy.

Makes sense that the Swans suit him over GWS.

The Swans need to walk down driver avenue and hold a meeting with the NSW Waratahs!

If the Swans can convince the Waratahs to sign James Occonor, then Buddy will sign immediately for the Swans in my opinion!

Having Kurtly Beele and Occonor in the same training complex would trump any extra money that GWS could offer!

[Jewels]

Am I the only one who thinks Franklin is over-rated? Yes, he can break open a game (sometimes) but he's terribly unreliable.

No your not alone Erica, I think he's an arrogant, over rated knob and cutting his salary from The Hawks payroll will give them the ability to get in virtually any player they want.
I was thrilled with the addition of Tippett last year, no where near the same feelings this year if true.

[Primmy]

Know what you mean erica. However, many damned good players have come here and become better players. Teddy, Rhyce, Marty (well he was really good to start with), Mike, even Kurt is kicking straighter.

Buddy and a year with Goodsey .... salivating already .... we could be on a winner.

Salary cap is a tweak of the thought process isn't it. I guess with losing two senior men right away, and the probability of another three in the next year or so along with the nurturing of the next generation .... probably works out ok. Don't ask me, I am crap at numbers, except 37, 8, 2, 9, 30, 14, 11, 4, 1.

[DK_]

I'd love it, I'd have no issue with the rest of the competition hating us.

I wish I could be there to see Eddie's head explode!

If stealing Buddy from under GWS' nose doesn't create some authentic cross-town rivalry, nothing will!

[BillyRayCypress]

Franklin unlike Tippett will play all over the ground so he is very versatile.

I don't perceive him as being any more arrogant than McVeigh.

If the $2 million per season by GWS is true then I think he would be mad to give that up to come to the Swans for less. He will certainly be a major marketing money spinner for whoever gets his services so that is one reason why the Swans would like to have him. Tippett doesn't have the same marketing status as our previous full forwards.

[caj23]

Am I the only one who thinks Franklin is over-rated? Yes, he can break open a game (sometimes) but he's terribly unreliable.

The only current player in the league who has kicked 100 goals in a season says he's not - no other player has got within 25 goals in modern times

[MadCanuck]

So who is going to start up the "Buddy" thread? May even rival the famous "Tippett" thread before this saga is over.

[Swansinger]

Must be more to this Franklin business than meets the eye. If $$$ was the sole issue , surely he'd go to GWS ? I doubt he would sacrifice a load of cash , just to be a few kms nearer to the Eastern Suburbs. Maybe he does care more about joining a team with their premiership window still open? Given his role in the GF , maybe he's seen as the new Jesse ?!? Franklin strikes me as a bogan lairiser. But I trust the club to make the correct decision.And much as I'm underwhelmed by this rumour , I admit I'd be cheering my heart out for him if he comes - same , though , as I would for any player pulling on the Red and White.

[ernie koala]

I think he's a fantastic player, a little erratic at times, but a game breaker for sure.

My problem is what we have to give up to get him....ie Lots of our salary cap, which equals...some quality players.

He's also starting to get to the other side age wise and has hammy and knee issues.

Not sure the Beale/ OConnor connection is a healthy one either....There are bound to be nightclub incidents a plenty, not sure we need the endless distractions.

IMO, keep Mummy and use our war chest down the track to fill a need.

[111431]

if this idea comes to fruition, as long as Hawrthorn don't match our offer he walks to us for free ?

[DK_]

Am I the only one who thinks Franklin is over-rated? Yes, he can break open a game (sometimes) but he's terribly unreliable.

The AFL's player rating system is a very good, well thought out statistical system for rating a player's impact. Buddy is far and away the best forward and has been there for a long time.

Big forwards are there to break open games. They're almost always unreliable because they rely on a midfield, and these days, a half-back line, to give them the ball.

With Buddy there, we won't be Tippett-centric anymore! We'll be Tippett-Buddy-Goodes-Pyke-Reid centric. Not that it will matter. With Mal and Rhyce running off half-back, our midfield providing first use, and Jetta and Rohan running it off the wings, the opposition will just be there as spectators to our goal-scoring machine!