Lance Franklin to become a Swan

[liz]

...

Why could we not stick to the formula, particularly given it was already delivering success? If we win the 2014 premiership, will it be somehow viewed as tainted?

On the field, the competition is becoming more about team plans and a big group of running midfielders with elite disposal. Neither Tippett nor Buddy Franklin will deliver that.

As a marketing strategy, it would be a huge win. But then I don't watch footy and support my team because they are a marketing vehicle. However, if we get another 10,000 members and the club books 3-4 years of strong financial results then that can only be a good thing.

...

You've expressed my thoughts better than I did. I agree with everything you've added to my comments, but especially the parts I've quoted above.

I love the fact that our (probable) 2013 best and fairest winner was plucked with the very last live pick in the 2005 (rookie) draft. That we "discovered" a ready made utility / defender camped out in the SFL. That we scoured other team's lists for fringe players whose value wasn't truly appreciated, instilled confidence in them, showed some patience, and watched them blossom into All Australians.

I love the fact that slightly more credentialed young midfielders are drafted up here, away from the Victorian or South Australian AFL heartland, but love it so much that they just don't want to leave. Many of them don't want to leave even when they retire. And that encapsulates Irishmen too!

One marquee forward I can accept. After all, it was the wonders of Plugger that first seduced me into following AFL. But two seems over the top and maybe a tad greedy.

On the other hand, the sun is setting on the career of probably the greatest Swan I have had the privilege of watching - certainly of experiencing his whole footy career. On one level, Buddy is just the closest thing to watching Goodsey run around for another decade.

[liz]

Just on Mumford, if the Swans don't offer him a new contract - and current suggestions are he hasn't been offered anything - he will land up being delisted and hence a free agent, despite the fact he hasn't served us for very long. He can then walk to whatever club he chooses.

And to be fair, if the Swans haven't offered him any contract at all, the poor bloke must be feeling very confused. Those in the know have successfully kept mum(my) about this whole Buddy caper so I suspect Mumford's been a little bewildered about what's going on. Even if he indicated to the Swans sometime ago that he was ultra keen to return to Melbourne, he'd still have expected a token contract offer from the Swans, wouldn't he?

[Meg]

You've expressed my thoughts better than I did. I agree with everything you've added to my comments, but especially the parts I've quoted above.

I love the fact that our (probable) 2013 best and fairest winner was plucked with the very last live pick in the 2005 (rookie) draft. That we "discovered" a ready made utility / defender camped out in the SFL. That we scoured other team's lists for fringe players whose value wasn't truly appreciated, instilled confidence in them, showed some patience, and watched them blossom into All Australians.

I love the fact that slightly more credentialed young midfielders are drafted up here, away from the Victorian or South Australian AFL heartland, but love it so much that they just don't want to leave. Many of them don't want to leave even when they retire. And that encapsulates Irishmen too!

One marquee forward I can accept. After all, it was the wonders of Plugger that first seduced me into following AFL. But two seems over the top and maybe a tad greedy.

These comments describe my feelings as well. I am really uncomfortable about this proposed deal and the huge cultural and financial risks it involves for our club. And I would be extremely disappointed if one of the sacrifices it entails is that we lose Sam Reid. He is the sort of unassuming young player of huge potential who embodies the culture that drew me to be a passionate Swans' fan.

[Meg]

Just on Mumford, if the Swans don't offer him a new contract - and current suggestions are he hasn't been offered anything - he will land up being delisted and hence a free agent, despite the fact he hasn't served us for very long. He can then walk to whatever club he chooses.

And to be fair, if the Swans haven't offered him any contract at all, the poor bloke must be feeling very confused. Those in the know have successfully kept mum(my) about this whole Buddy caper so I suspect Mumford's been a little bewildered about what's going on. Even if he indicated to the Swans sometime ago that he was ultra keen to return to Melbourne, he'd still have expected a token contract offer from the Swans, wouldn't he?

I agree with all of this as well. How must Mumford be feeling today after the news of the offer of a huge, extremely long contract to Franklin?

[sharp9]

but haven't we increased the wages for a range of our midfielders to keep them at the club ?

The Salary cap goes up every year at the moment....didn't Ireland's statement say $600k??? From last year I seem to recall $150k....so maybe the $600k is increase over four years.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Just on Mumford, if the Swans don't offer him a new contract - and current suggestions are he hasn't been offered anything - he will land up being delisted and hence a free agent, despite the fact he hasn't served us for very long. He can then walk to whatever club he chooses.

And to be fair, if the Swans haven't offered him any contract at all, the poor bloke must be feeling very confused. Those in the know have successfully kept mum(my) about this whole Buddy caper so I suspect Mumford's been a little bewildered about what's going on. Even if he indicated to the Swans sometime ago that he was ultra keen to return to Melbourne, he'd still have expected a token contract offer from the Swans, wouldn't he?

When Longmire first took over, he turned his back on Roos' policy of playing two genuine ruckmen. Preferring to make use of a pinch hitter like LRT or Jessie. For various reasons he eventually went back to the two genuine ruckmen strategy and we won another flag.

Then we picked up Dirty Kurt, and somewhere in that endless thread are some posts speculating whether we could play three ruckman sized players in the one side. However Injuries forced his hand and we finished the season with White, Kurt, Mummy and Pyke in the one side.

Liz, I have a terrible feeling that it was always Horses intention to abandon the two ruckman policy, last year he recruited the tallest part-time ruckman in the league, and this year he may well dispense with Mummy (superfluous if we only play one genuine ruckman) to make room for Buddy.

Leaving aside the question of how Mummy must be feeling (my thoughts on Buddy, and what sort of club we are becoming). I truly fear the discarding of the two ruckmen policy.

Roos once commented that you needed two genuine ruckmen to win a granny (an opinion supported by all {with one proviso} the evidence). I believe this to be true with or without the AFL's silly substitute rule.

[DK_]

I watched the Adelaide qualifying final again just last week to cheer myself up a bit (thanks on-baller). Unfortunately, after it I was left even more in a funk thinking how we're ever going to replace Goodes. One of our less obvious problems this year was the lack of a circuit breaker. We had a hard working midfield, strong back 6 and a threatening attack. Enough to be top 4. Enough to roll over a team that we are simply better than. But we never turned it around in a game when we were seriously behind and the momentum was against us. We just didn't seem to have the player that gave that spark to stop the game in its tracks and send it hurtling back in the right direction.

To demonstrate, think back to the Adelaide qualifying final. 10 minutes in. It's a slug and Adelaide seem on top. They are pounding it into our forward 50 time and time again. Only a mammoth effort from Teddy Richards stands between the Swans and a significant early deficit. Enter Goodes stage right. Out of nowhere, he steps up and systematically takes Adelaide apart. Not to reduce the efforts of the other players, but after an inconsistent season and a major injury which some thought might be the end of an illustrious career, with a two great goals and some superb work around the ground, Mr September showed why he's a champion, setting up the Swans for an easy win and putting them on the path to their second premiership since moving to Sydney.

Rewind two weeks from there to the rnd 22 Sydney - Hawthorn top of the table clash. I'm sitting in the Red Zone with my Hawk-supporting neighbours enjoying a master class of pressure footy from JPK and friends, unbelievably putting the Swans 40 points ahead halfway through the second quarter. My neighbour gets up to get us some beers. Someone behind me calls out "don't leave now, we're just starting to have fun"! It seems that way. Everything seems lost for the Hawks. This time, it's Buddy who turns it around. He sets off a chain of 6 goals in 10 minutes, which he either scores himself or plays a big hand in setting up. The Swans, being the champions they are, manage to steady the ship just short of half-time, but the Hawks are back in it and manage to wrestle out an impressive win over the second half, earning themselves the minor premiership.

This is the X-factor which Goodes has given us for so many years and which we will soon need Buddy for. Players like Tippett and Reid, JPK, Hanneberry or Kizza, even Jetta and Rohan, are champions who make the Swans a dangerous team which will challenge anyone in the competition for years to come. They've all done things which give us an edge or inspire their teammates. They all work hard to push us in front. But when nothing is going our way, none of them have demonstrated an ability to turn a game totally on its head like Goodes or Buddy can. Any discussion about whether we need Buddy, where he fits into the team or what role he will play must start and end with this issue.

[Matt80]

I think GWS have to take some accountability!

I almost forgot that they gave Tom Scully a million dollar a year contract and a job to his dad, and along with Israil Falau, their biggest signing.

You chose Tom Scully as your big name recruit! What the hell were you thinking?

[Rob-bloods]

I think the Goodes X Factor / Buddy replacement theory is a good one, also structural changes will occur this year due to limit on rotations, one theory is teams can play taller but stack the midfield even more and of course concentrate the 120 there. Tippett a stay at home lead up FF and Buddy and Reid both mobile talls roaming up the ground sounds interesting.

[Big Al]

So I guess that leaves Heath Shaw out of the running???

I accuse myself of being a bit churlish at times, but I am a sweetie pie in comparison with the gloop being spread about by the VFL clubs. Actually it has made my day, I haven't laughed so much in ages.

Yep, most fun I've had on social media for some time.

It boiled down to outright jealousy. We were smart enough to know how to get the deal done and no one in the comp thought of doing it. They just assumed he was gong to GWS and sat on their hands.

Also how extraordinary that people at the Swans and in Franklins camp kept it quiet for 12 months that they were both interested in each other. I assume ASIO is going to come around to recruit these guys.

[Primmy]

This is the X-factor which Goodes has given us for so many years and which we will soon need Buddy for. Players like Tippett and Reid, JPK, Hanneberry or Kizza, even Jetta and Rohan, are champions who make the Swans a dangerous team which will challenge anyone in the competition for years to come. They've all done things which give us an edge or inspire their teammates. They all work hard to push us in front. But when nothing is going our way, none of them have demonstrated an ability to turn a game totally on its head like Goodes or Buddy can. Any discussion about whether we need Buddy, where he fits into the team or what role he will play must start and end with this issue.

Well pointed out DK. Its what has been brewing around in my mind as well. Adam must retire in a year or so, and we will need a powerhouse to replace him. They don't just jump up and say boo. Many times I have questioned the brain operations of the powers that be, and mostly I am sent scurrying back to my mouse hole. There is a reason for everything and just on that alone must mean that there is a reason why Buddy has been considered for this club. It also gives Adam a year to work with him a bit. Could be a bit of fun.

May I also point out something which hasn't been raised yet? Its only the Victorian clubs that are venting bile. Dont believe we have heard from Qld, S.A or W.A.?

[DK_]

When Longmire first took over, he turned his back on Roos' policy of playing two genuine ruckmen. Preferring to make use of a pinch hitter like LRT or Jessie. For various reasons he eventually went back to the two genuine ruckmen strategy and we won another flag.

Then we picked up Dirty Kurt, and somewhere in that endless thread are some posts speculating whether we could play three ruckman sized players in the one side. However Injuries forced his hand and we finished the season with White, Kurt, Mummy and Pyke in the one side.

Liz, I have a terrible feeling that it was always Horses intention to abandon the two ruckman policy, last year he recruited the tallest part-time ruckman in the league, and this year he may well dispense with Mummy (superfluous if we only play one genuine ruckman) to make room for Buddy.

Leaving aside the question of how Mummy must be feeling (my thoughts on Buddy, and what sort of club we are becoming). I truly fear the discarding of the two ruckmen policy.

Roos once commented that you needed two genuine ruckmen to win a granny (an opinion supported by all {with one proviso} the evidence). I believe this to be true with or without the AFL's silly substitute rule.

The problem with the 'everyone does X so we should too' theory of strategy is that it will only ever make you mediocre. Dominant teams over the years often made themselves that way through new tactics or structures. Mediocre teams copy them, so they only last 2 to 3 years as a competitive advantage, meaning new strategies are always needed.

On top of this, add the cap in rotations next year. The reality is that whoever plays that change best to their advantage will sit on or near the top of the ladder come September. If we do have only one ruckman, I'm certain it's attached to the work rate of our midfield and the rotation cap.

I don't know whether one or two ruckmen are the answer, but I will back Horse to have thought deeply about it and have arrived at a good strategy to make the most of our premiership window.

[DK_]

May I also point out something which hasn't been raised yet? Its only the Victorian clubs that are venting bile. Dont believe we have heard from Qld, S.A or W.A.?

Very well pointed out. They probably don't have the same sense of entitlement. Or maybe you just can't hear them over the noise of the violins being played, or in Eddie's case, the 20 piece string orchestra.

[DK_]

Alright. I can't avoid it any longer. Time to get up and face this hangover.

[jono2707]

I'm still conflicted about this. Here's a couple of other thoughts:

* GWS also have the COLA however as far as I can see it only has become an issue (this year) as we seem to have won the bidding war?

* I do see Buddy as a replacement for Goodes. Does this mean Buddy's pay could be at a lower level for the years Goodsey plays on, then jumps to take into account Goodsey's retirement?

* Could this force Goodsey's early retirement?

* Buddy was earmarked for ambassadorial payments if he went to GWS - does he still get/deserve them if he's a Swan?

* From the club's perspective, communication is the key in my eyes. As a fan I would like the club to communicate what is going on and why. I'm a fan - I deserve it.

* Is this an early sound in the death-knell of GWS? Seems like big name players are not keen to go there, and I can't blame them.

* As a club we have lost a bit of respect over this throughout the AFL. I have always liked how we went about things and most of the AFL world respected the Swans way of clever recruiting and good development of young players. I liked that we were respected and I thought that was important.

* I'm bracing myself to lose another player or two as a result of all this and I don't see that as a good thing. Mummy was always looking elsewhere, Jesse deservedly was looking to leave too, but I hope we don't lose anyone else of note.