Buddy half way

[AnnieH]

All my footy prayers were answered when we got Buddy.
Best. Decision. Ever.

[111431]

We have had many great players over the years (and I have followed the Swans for 50years) but Buddy is without a doubt the most exciting player I have seen to wear the red and white. watching him in action is worth your membership and a bit more

[Plugger46]

The trades thread from that year would be great reading.

Wonderful footballer. Clearly it would've been nice to win one of those Grand Finals but that can't be the only measure of success. The sheer joy he has given as a supporter is more than enough.

[penga]

I don't know that the trade ban changed all that much as far as what the Swans would have done without it in place.
Doesn't change the fact that it shouldn't have been imposed though.

In the grand scheme of things, it cost us picking up Joel Patfull (potentially), where we picked up Melican in the Rookie Draft at pick no 52. Pure conjecture, but with Patfull on the list would we have picked up Melican? I doubt it.

Long term, a blessing in disguise.

[YvonneH]

In the grand scheme of things, it cost us picking up Joel Patfull (potentially), where we picked up Melican in the Rookie Draft at pick no 52. Pure conjecture, but with Patfull on the list would we have picked up Melican? I doubt it.

Long term, a blessing in disguise.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, is it not?

[neilfws]

I remember firing off an excited "the Swans have signed Franklin!" text, and I'm not an excited text kind of guy

Of course we don't admit to liking opposition players, especially the Hawks but...I liked watching him when he played for the Hawks. I like him even more in red and white.

I think he's been great for the club: for membership, for getting kids excited about the game (his 10 goals v Carlton was when my kids finally got what it's about), as a mentor and team player (not just the goals).

[penga]

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, is it not?

It is. While it wasn't a justified ban, I feel like it is time to move on, and thank Fitzpatrick for Melican

[Blood Fever]

It is. While it wasn't a justified ban, I feel like it is time to move on, and thank Fitzpatrick for Melican

Good philosophy, Penga, might just hold off thanking Fitzy.

[Wardy]

I loved the fact he blind sided everyone - most all the media. And they don?t like to be made fools of. It was all ok when he was supposed to go to GWS - Swans were never part of the equation - but then......???? and if you recall when he and Jacinta got married his mates Jordon Lewis & Roughy put the tweet out ? off to Queenstown NZ for the Franklins wedding of the year?. - media outlets were hot tailing it to the airport to get on the Next AIR NZ flight. Fabulous sting it was , when they were actually up in the blue mountains here. They did it their way. Damned media thwarted again!!! But Buddy has done so much for the club - he has virtually doubled our membership - to see so many with 23 on their backs is fabulous - but on the field he has given our team the excitement that the likes of Lockett, Hall, Mick O & Goodsey provided previously. As soon as the ball goes near him the crowd lifts. I would love for him to win a flag with us but if he doesn?t it?s not a failure - he has lifted the Swans profile and then some. Which is what we needed. And I put some very sad tweeters in their box the other day. In response to the Grant Thomas rumour mongering. I said if they are so certain of the rumours then provide the proof - actual proof and evidence - I didn?t get one rebuttal. LOVE THE BUD MAN!!!

[Plugger1300]

Easily the best decision from the club
Been an absolute pleasure to watch
Even when he takes on everyone and gets tackled

[Swansongster]

My brother and his mate (both Tigers fans) were in town for Dreamtime last week and I went along with them. Later in the evening, Brother's rum asked me "Do you love Buddy?". My scotch answered "absholutely I love him".

It's been an amazing journey. He plays his heart out, wins games, lifts those around him and gives so much commercially to the club.

We are fortunate to have him and it is great that we are only at the half-way mark of the initial engagement. I genuinely think he will play out the contract unless cruelled by an unfortunate serious injury. Why not?

[Kumarangk]

I don't know that the trade ban changed all that much as far as what the Swans would have done without it in place.
Doesn't change the fact that it shouldn't have been imposed though.

At what point does Buddy become a 'win'
Most would say he is already.
He certainly is worth his weight in the publicity etc he generates for the club.
But as far as a player goes, 6 years? 7?
Assuming he enters a decline at some point, I'd say if we get 7 solid years from him it's a win.

A win would be a flag, surely ?

[YvonneH]

A win would be a flag, surely ?

It would be for the whole team/supporters etc but not necessarily for Buddy himself. Getting out of the fishbowl that is Melb would have been a big win for Buddy. regarding his life