Buddy defection outrages rivals

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LANCE Franklin's shock $10 million defection to the Sydney Swans - the biggest deal in league history - has outraged the football world and prompted an AFL investigation.

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Franklin was expected to join the fledgling Giants in Sydney's sprawling outer west, but has sensationally chosen the Swans in an extraordinary nine-year deal.

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But the AFL last night said it was investigating the Franklin offer - a move that could yet see the deal blocked.

Since Hawthorn's premiership triumph on Saturday, Franklin, 26, has been telling friends of his plans to buy a house in the trendy Sydney suburb of Bondi.

The star forward has a growing relationship with Sydney celebrity Jesinta Campbell, and is close to Rugby Union bad boy Kurtley Beale, who has also moved from Melbourne.

The Swans, who have been secretly courting Franklin since last year, will help pay for him using a contentious $1 million-a-season cost-of-living allowance.

Franklin is also expected to seek AFL "ambassadorial" payments on top of a $1.4 million annual wage.

The Hawks have an option of matching the Sydney offer but are almost certain to let him go.

Buddy Franklin gets a handpass away during the Grand Final against Fremantle. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

Franklin's nine-season, $10 million deal will be unconditional even if he retires before the contract expires, when he is 36.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire led an outcry from rival clubs over Sydney's extra money.

"I've been saying it since grand final Sunday in 2002: a 10 per cent recurring salary cap advantage, not including third party deals, often in co-ordination with the AFL, is and remains the greatest perversion to the fairness of the competition and a scandal in football," McGuire said.

North Melbourne chairman James Brayshaw said: "At the moment we have two clubs allowed to pay $800,000 to $1 million more per annum. We believe it is totally unacceptable and has to be abolished as soon as possible."

Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Limited

Former Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett said it would be a "criminal act" if the AFL stumped up Franklin's $1.4 million salary with a marketing component.

"If they were to do that it is almost a criminal act," Kennett said.

"It would totally prostitute the concept of free agency and AFL marketing money going to help establish new clubs."

Kennett called for rival club presidents to demand the AFL reveal how the Swans were spending the 9.8 per cent allowance.

"If they are able to stockpile it then it makes a farce of the concept," Kennett said.

Buddy Franklin signs autographs at Hawthorn training. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

Western Bulldogs president Peter Gordon said there was "no sufficient basis" for the allowance.

"I don't want to express a view about Buddy Franklin ... I simply say, the sooner we get to an uncompromised draft and an uncomplicated and even salary cap, the better off we'll be," he said.

Another senior club figure said: "Now people may finally wake up and stop cheering the Bloods culture. The whole thing is a joke."

Sydney have featured in 13 of the past 16 AFL finals series.

The Swans, who added Adelaide Crows big man Kurt Tippett to their list last year, pocket the 9.8 per cent allowance because of Sydney's high cost of living.

It amounts to $944,000 next season and will top $1 million in 2016.

The AFL has been reviewing the arrangement and is expected to abandon it.

The Swans firmed from $7 to $5 in 2014 premiership betting markets on Tuesday.

Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: News Limited

Outgoing Sydney Swans chairman Richard Colless declared four months ago Lance "Buddy" Franklin could ignite the Sydney market as Tony Lockett did in the 1990s.

"`I think it would be, initially anyway, an extraordinary coup," Colless said in June.

"`The impact of Lockett can't be underestimated. It was an amazing drawcard.

"This guy (Franklin) is a very different player. I'm not saying he's the best player in the competition - he is on occasions. But he's six-foot-six, runs like a gazelle, fends people off ... and if his kicking was a bit more reliable, he'd be kicking 100 goals a year.

"`I think it would be a huge coup."

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