Everyone assumes Franklin is after more money when he reportedly loves playing with Hawthorn.
Clearly he wants more money.
They have a contract ready for him to sign right now at 900k plus special marketing.
There is literally no other reason for him to delay his contract talks to the end of the season other than pushing for more money!
Even if Buddy leaves and in the unlikely event he chooses Carlton over returning home, the Hawks could match our offer
No they couldnt match our offer. Their salary cap pressures are well documented.
We freed up 500k from our cap last year (Thornton, JR and Bower). Assuming Scotland retires this year and Carrots goes on the Vets list, we free up another 300k.
To raise the extra cash, Judd would need to retire (freeing up another million including his ASA which is now included in the cap and Marketing allowance). Then we would have around $1.5 million PA to offer Buddy + Marketing.
Waite is on the way out too (and isnt the most reliable of blokes even when available). Thats another 350k. Carrots and Simpson dont have long left either.
The club doesn't need another big money messiah to turn the club around and get us off our knees like we did six years ago.
In addition to his obvious elite footballing talent, Buddy is the most marketable face in Footy.
Membership and Sponsorship would skyrocket. He'd pay for himself.
Buddy only becomes viable if we either trade out (Gibbs + third Ruck) for picks (spent on Mids to replace Judd, Scotland, Simpson and Carrots) and free up cap space to accomdate Franklins contract, or if Judd retires (where we will be able to match any Freo or Hawthorn offer, and still have cap space to spare).