Could Dusty play see Buddy Franklin come home?

The AFL world has been rocked following reports Buddy Franklin may potentially leave the Swans after reportedly receiving a “lowball contract offer”. Franklin is coming to the end of his blockbuster $10 million nine-year deal which saw him leave the Hawks in 2013. According to the Herald Sun the Swans are offering around half his current yearly wage to play on in 2023, with Franklin willing to walk if he is not paid what he feels he is worth. Franklin has kicked 34 goals from 14 games this season to be tied with Isaac Heaney for the club’s leading goal kicker and is still one of the best forwards in the comp despite his age. Rumours are swirling the Swans want to make a play to get Dustin Martin out of Tigerland which would require them to make room in their salary cap. Franklin is a big chunk of that cap and he may be a casualty of the move should it go ahead. Franklin’s wife Jesinta recently revealed the couple were prepared to move their children closer to family, with Franklin’s parents in WA and Jesinta’s in Queensland. So could Franklin come out West? It seems unlikely. Fremantle are flying with a strong side filled with gun midfielders as they look to seriously challenge for flags for the next few years. They don’t need Franklin especially with Fyfe’s move up forward and Rory Lobb becoming more reliable along with Matt Taberner providing plenty of tall options. And West Coast? The last thing they need is another ageing star on their roster as they look to undertake a serious rebuild through youth and the draft. Regardless any Buddy move will cause plenty of waves through the footy landscape.