Biggest name signing of recent times?

Who was the biggest name signing?


  • Total voters
    239

Jimmy Russell

Debutant
Mar 11, 2016
132
224
AFL Club
Hawthorn
They've arguably been 4 'big fish' players to change clubs over the last decade.

Chris Judd, Gary Ablett Jr, Lance Franklin and Patrick Dangerfield.

All 4 signings have been/were significant for their new clubs both on and off field.

Who do you think was the biggest name signing of recent times and for what reason(s)?
 

james Dean

Norm Smith Medallist
Dec 18, 2006
7,700
12,225
Otherside of the Tracks
AFL Club
Carlton
Other Teams
PHX, NUFC, Pats
Ablett was the biggest name and Judd had the most attention however neither were surprises when it was announced. Nobody ever thought that Buddy would go to the Swans, so I'd vote Franklin for that reason. Danger is in the Ablett boat as in nobody was surprised when it was announced.
 
Judd was the first and had 4 clubs all going hard at him, Carlton, Collingwood, Melbourne and Essendon, massive media on which club he'll choose. The other 3 were a bit duller, Ablett going only to the Gold Coast, Dangerfield made his mind up he was going to Geelong well before he left Adelaide and Franklin had a deal planned with Sydney a year in advance.
 

who_let_the_dogs_out

Norm Smith Medallist
Aug 1, 2005
5,086
6,671
AFL Club
Western Bulldogs
Other Teams
Footscray
Another vote for Franklin. Arguably the most valuable player of the ones listed above.

Probably the circumstances of the move was most surprising as well, complete blindside.
 

calyam

Norm Smith Medallist
May 9, 2011
5,834
6,784
Melbourne
AFL Club
Essendon
Ablett is the best player to switch clubs but clear Franklin was the bigger story. Swans came out of nowhere to land the best forward in the game. By comparison, almost everyone expected Ablett to jump ship to Gold Coast. The same can be said of Dangerfield. The Judd move though was huge at the time.
 
As a one eyed Cats' supporter the biggest name signing is Paddy Dangerfield. I don't give a hoot about the others named. But Buddy was the most controversial signing and given the contract term offered his signing was massive
 

Jimmy Russell

Debutant
Mar 11, 2016
132
224
AFL Club
Hawthorn
As a one eyed Cats' supporter the biggest name signing is Paddy Dangerfield. I don't give a hoot about the others named. But Buddy was the most controversial signing and given the contract term offered his signing was massive

What about Zac Smith, Lachie Henderson and Scott Selwood?

Where do they rank in terms of big name signings?
 
Back