THIS year Buddy will have a finals series which underlines his greatness

hk89

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One of Buddy's strengths is that when he's being well held down forward, he can push up the ground and use his excellent field kicking to bring other forwards into the game. Obviously hadn't recovered from the corkie, and that impacted his ability to contribute around the ground which was a big loss to Sydney. Feel sorry for him, has been unlucky with injury in finals two years in a row now. With both Franklin and Kennedy having down games at the same time, it was always going to be tough for Sydney given they are not blessed with a large number of other consistent finals performers.
 

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Scotland

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Sydney were flogged across the ground but they should've come up with a plan B and played Franklin at deep FF. If nothing else he could've dragged Taylor back to the goal line.

Sinclair was competing hard but was switching between deep forward (where the ball wasn't going) and ruck. On the few occasions the ball was kicked to him he at least brought it to ground. Sam Reid was moved to a completely ineffective role at half back.
 

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Seeds

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He looked so impeded by it though. No where near 100% and you just can't take injured players into finals

Could barely gallop
Buddy looked fantastic pre game on the ground. Was sprinting up and down the field and must of kicked 7 goals all from outside fifty in a row. Two of them went about 65 metres. We were in the crowd all going wow he is going to be very tough to stop tonight. Didnt fire a shot and choked in front of goal when it mattered.
 

burningdwarf

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And?

Him playing meant he was healthy enough to play, either he plays through an injury and doesn't use it as an excuse or sits out when he knows he can't compete.
I'm not actually Lance Franklin, so me providing a reason why he wasn't at his best isn't the same as him making an excuse.
 

DelRe

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Admittedly I haven't checked finals v H&A stats but 4 years averaging 3 goals a game (maintaining the output while at Hawks), leading Swans goal scorer every year and 3XAA (missing in 15 possibly only because of illness) suggests Swans have got their money's worth. Been unlucky to have not been fully fit in recent finals.
 

Topkent

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Bud is a symptom of the modern AFL. Big forwards are one of the least important players in the AFL now. Look at Adelaide and Richmond the current 2 best teams in the AFL, Riewoldt plays a complete team role and doesn't win games alone anymore and the Tigers are better for it. Tex Walker is more valuable to the crows at CHF helping to direct play and opening space behind him for the runners. Bulldogs last year won it without a FF and the Hawks 3 peat was built around Roughy who played the Riewoldt role. Swans in 12 won it with Goodes as the FF.

Not many teams have picked up on this trend yet and continue to try and chase key forwards. I personally think Melbournes footy is played without Jesse Hogan
 
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