Lance Franklin to become a Swan

[ShockOfHair]

As much as I like p--ing off Hawks fans, and the prospect of a forward line with Tippett, Goodes and Buddy I do have this eggs in one basket feeling.

Plus I'm not sure how many stars you can play in the same space of ground. The old champion team vs team of champions cliche. It has echoes of Real Madrid's Galacticos strategy - Zidane, Ronaldo, Beckham, Figo all clogging up the forward half. That didn't end well.

[Dosser]

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!

I'm not bagging Reid - I think he will be great. I am simply pointing out that now there may not be room in both the forward line and the salary cap to keep him.

[On-Baller]

Rang SEN to have a go at the morons going on about cola,got cut off halfway thru what i wanted to say.

[BillyRayCypress]

Ch 10 showed a man driving a ute who looked like Buddy on Driver Ave today. However, as the reporter said that couldn't out do the Daily M night tonight.

The Swans would not have gone after him if it was not to improve our list. We place a great deal on Johnson to return next year and have a better year than his first year as well as the younger players.

As someone said earlier, Buddy can play through the midfield and all over the ground. Do what Roos did minus the mattresses on his legs.

The Swans would not let Mumford go unless they had a very good reason. If he goes to the Hawks, he is hardly worse off as he will be playing with the Premiers. Its not like he's going to GWS.

[ernie koala]

I sincerely hope this isn't our 'Fevola moment'.

You would have to think the final 3 or 4 years are extensions, based on output the previous year.

A 26 year old, 180 odd gamer, with a few knee and hammy issues...... I just don't see how you could justify a guaranteed 9 years...Just doesn't make sense.

- - - Updated - - -

I sincerely hope this isn't our 'Fevola moment'.

You would have to think the final 3 or 4 years are extensions, based on output the previous year.

A 26 year old, 180 odd gamer, with a few knee and hammy issues...... I just don't see how you could justify a guaranteed 9 years...Just doesn't make sense.

[Old S.M.Blood]

According to 7 sports news its still a rumor at this time? WE will know more after 6 O'clock news. I wonder if it is true, just what dear old EDDY is thinking now. He will really go on about the salary cap in Sydney now.

[BillyRayCypress]

AFL 350 to return tonight. That is how BIG the Buddy move is compared to Tippett coming across.

I wonder which depth of red will Eddy's face be tonight. He might blow a valve.

How good is it listening to everyone in Victoria explode. They can't get it through their thick heads that is what good management does.

Luffy is saying that it is a bigger signing than Lockett and he would know.

[DLBIA14]

What in the world is happening. 9 years sounds ridiculous and insane and our administration is anything but. We've typically been astute and intelligent in making trade moves so I trust them, but this has sort of smacked me across the face. Are the club hiding players who want to leave and possible retirements? I can't think of another reason.

[Untamed Snark]

Sydney Swans statement - Lance Franklin - SYDNEYSWANS.com.au

- - - Updated - - -

http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/2013-10-01/sydney-swans-statement-lance-franklin

[R-1]

9 years means we're planning to pay him post retirement. Essentially deferring payments like in an NHL megacontract. We've guaranteed him a retirement fund to minimise our cap hit now. We will have done a risk analysis modelling expected career length, cap rises and future liabilities and contact requirements for other player.

I think it's smart in the context of an ever increasing salary cap. As the cap increases he's going to take a smaller portion each year with his 1.1m and then when he retires the last few years will pay out over twice as long, reducing the cap hit further.

This practice is considered beneficial enough that the NBA brought in a maximum contract length of five years.

We've just been the first to try it here. Out in front again.

[Bloodthirsty]

The Sydney Swans field view now looks like someone's Dream Team!

[DK_]

I for one welcome our new Buddy forward-lord!

Not sure why everyone thinks there needs to be another delisting/trade or why Reid will need to go.

In addition to the list changes already noted, within the next year or two, we will also lose ROK, Goodes, LRT and Rhyce Shaw, all of whom would be on a pretty packet. I'm sure the club's clever enough to weight his salary to suit.

WRT Reid, why would it not be feasible that he spends a year down back, and then becomes a genuine swingman in the LRT mould? Or play as a HFF? Or both? He's got the defensive skills, marking skills, speed and agility to do any of them. Which is why he's on a five year contract.

We will soon need to replace the capability that has been provided by Goodes and LRT for so many years that they seem like they're part of the furniture. Watch last year's final series and then this year's if you want to see how critical they are to our structures. Buddy and Reid seem to fit the bill perfectly to me.

[On-Baller]

I cant get my head around 9 years just isnt good buisness, i think the 5 years at 1.4 sounds more likely, maybe 6 if needed but 9 years wtf??

[bodgie]

Of the talls White and Mumford seem to be gone, Goodes and/or LRT may not get up and will have to retire soon anyway, and as DK says ROK and Shaw will go soon. Without Goodes it would be great to have someone who is at least occasionally capable of changing the momentum of the game single handedly. White seemed to be groomed recently for that big linking midfielder role which Buddy can do brilliantly. Seems pretty convincing when you look ahead.

[mcs]

I cant get my head around 9 years just isnt good buisness, i think the 5 years at 1.4 sounds more likely, maybe 6 if needed but 9 years wtf??

9 years seems absurd, and I'd be very surprised if it is actually true. The Melbourne Media is in such a frenzy, its frankly hilarious, and I reckon you could tell them anything and they would believe it.

Also got sent this by a friend - it made me laugh

Swans1.jpg