Lance Franklin to become a Swan

[mcs]

It certainly does raise some issues, but I will well and truly look forward to a Swans forward line containing Franklin and Tippett. How can that not be seem as damn exciting?

Whether it is a good purchase, time will tell. I do trust our club to be doing the best thing about challenging for Premierships now, and looking for ways to ensure we continue to be competitive going forward. I have no doubt Buddy fits into the previous category, but I have no doubt the club won't just be turning a blind eye to the other issue either.

And if the Swans have been doing the right with the COLA (i.e. paying 9.8% extra to every player) then there shouldn't be any issue at all on COLA. The Melbourne clubs can whine all they want if you ask me :P

Your points are valid bloodsbigot for sure, although I don't think it will divide the team necessarily. Tippett coming in doesn't seem to have caused issues. As for whether Buddy's best is behind him - who knows what a change of environment will do for him?

I do worry about losing young talent, but I'm guessing the club thinks that there are still enough older guys on the list that will depart over the next few years that will allow us to keep most of the young talent.

I tell you what - 2014 is going to be one hell of a season we are going to be the most hated in the league, and I for one, will love it

And as for an offseason of melbourne clubs and Eddie blowing up - even better

[baskin]

Just finished a lunch with some fellow Swans supporters, a bit like a season debrief. Mid meal a text came through from a friend saying Buddy was a Swan. We all choked on our lunch and spent the rest of the meal trying to work out how we could be happy with this move. After two hours we couldn't come up with a way we could be happy barracking for Buddy. As the club hasn't said anything yet we are all hoping it doesn't happen. (Although the idea of Eddie Everywhere having apoplexy almost makes it palatable). So it was six out of six against the move.
Sorry if that sounds disloyal to the club but I have never been impressed with Buddy's demeanor on or off the field and just can't see how he fits the Swans ethos.

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Just finished a lunch with some fellow Swans supporters, a bit like a season debrief. Mid meal a text came through from a friend saying Buddy was a Swan. We all choked on our lunch and spent the rest of the meal trying to work out how we could be happy with this move. After two hours we couldn't come up with a way we could be happy barracking for Buddy. As the club hasn't said anything yet we are all hoping it doesn't happen. (Although the idea of Eddie Everywhere having apoplexy almost makes it palatable). So it was six out of six against the move.
Sorry if that sounds disloyal to the club but I have never been impressed with Buddy's demeanor on or off the field and just can't see how he fits the Swans ethos.

[magic.merkin]

i'll support anyone with the clubs jumper on. The club wanted them, and I have faith in the club. buddy can then earn my respect, which is different from support for me.

To be honest i'm sad to inevitably lose Jesse and Shane. But if it has to be, then i'll take a 26 year old that has kicked 100 in a season. If he is fit, big if (knees) and can learn to take an over head mark in the next 5 years we will be nuts!

Already sick of COLA. My phone/email/facebook is burning up from all fans....

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i'll support anyone with the clubs jumper on. The club wanted them, and I have faith in the club. buddy can then earn my respect, which is different from support for me.

To be honest i'm sad to inevitably lose Jesse and Shane. But if it has to be, then i'll take a 26 year old that has kicked 100 in a season. If he is fit, big if (knees) and can learn to take an over head mark in the next 5 years we will be nuts!

Already sick of COLA. My phone/email/facebook is burning up from all fans....

[Dosser]

I think it is now either Reid to the backline or out the door.

[BillyRayCypress]

Now the offer has been increased to 9 years for $10 million.

That would knock out the Hawks matching counter offer.

I believe the last 2 years will cover costs of a zimmer frame.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/hawthorn-star-lance-franklin-set-to-join-sydney-swans-after-gws-withdraws-offer/story-fnfll94y-1226730745667

[Matt80]

I disagree Dosser! In my opinion Buddy will be playing as an inside midfielder - breaking into space! Reid and Tippett will be the forward line with Adam Goodes to provide assistance!

[Ludwig]

Longmire, Clarkson and Liam Pickering are all good friends. I think this is an amicable arrangement that suits everyone's needs.

[BillyRayCypress]

I believe he is planning to take up greyhound breeding and racing as well as boxing lessons.

[Dosser]

I believe he is planning to take up greyhound breeding and racing as well as boxing lessons.

He will be the answer to every forward problem we have ever had.

[SwansBloke]

Well if $10mil over 9 years is true that's crazy! Quite a mortgage to place on our future. Really gotta make the most of the P'ship window!!!

[crackedactor]

cant understand

I think it is now either Reid to the backline or out the door.

I cannot understand why everyone wants to bag Reid. I reckon he is a gun! In a couple of years time he could be a real force in the AFL (maybe Buddy like). Can someone tell me why the Buddy deal has not been announced on the Swans web site? Or maybe this is a big ploy to piss off Eddie! revenge for his early season Ape remark!

[On-Baller]

I really hope this doesnt eventuate, good player but not needed at our club, does this mean we change gameplan all over again, and we signed Reid to a 5 year deal as a forward have our plans changed that quickly due to injury? Absolute joke, no way we will be able to keep all our midfielders in years to come.

[Melbourne_Blood]

I feel a bit Ill about this. I know there's a majority on here who will voice support for anything and everything the club does but this just seems a really bizarre move to me. I can't get my head around it, regardless of how good Buddy is, surely a team with a list such as ours doesnt need to be chucking a huge chunk of their salary cap at another marquee forward after gaining one just last year?

[joemoore12]

Surely, our great club and it's administration have gained the full support and trust of all supporters. If they want Buddy at the Swans, so do I. End of story.

[Alan]

I feel a bit Ill about this. I know there's a majority on here who will voice support for anything and everything the club does but this just seems a really bizarre move to me. I can't get my head around it, regardless of how good Buddy is, surely a team with a list such as ours doesnt need to be chucking a huge chunk of their salary cap at another marquee forward after gaining one just last year?

Me too. How many blokes 6' 71 do we need? Maybe Sam Reid wants to go home??? The silence from the club is very similar to this time last year when the Tippet story broke

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I feel a bit Ill about this. I know there's a majority on here who will voice support for anything and everything the club does but this just seems a really bizarre move to me. I can't get my head around it, regardless of how good Buddy is, surely a team with a list such as ours doesnt need to be chucking a huge chunk of their salary cap at another marquee forward after gaining one just last year?

Me too. How many blokes 6' 71 do we need? Maybe Sam Reid wants to go home??? The silence from the club is very similar to this time last year when the Tippet story broke