Collingwood legend Tony Shaw believes that the Swans should offload Lance Franklin and that Collingwood would be the perfect fit, as reported by Daily Telegraph.
Shaw believes that if Sydney are not able to contend for the premiership in the coming years, then a trade for Franklin may be for the betterment of the Swans, with the potential of bringing in early draft picks to preserve their future for the coming years.
โBuddyโs got four years left on his (nine-year) contract. A lot of things can happen in four years, but say, the next two years, do you think you can see the Sydney Swans winning a premiership?โ Shaw told The Daily Telegraph.
โTheyโve been a fantastic club and things turn around โฆ but Iโm thinking maybe while Buddy still has a little bit to offer you can go the reverse and build for another couple of years down the track, long term and get some, I would think, very early draft picks.
โHe might think itโs (a premiership) is going to happen there. But I just see some issues.โ
The former Magpies great believes that the 32-year-old would be a good fit for the black and white.
โIโd still think heโs got currency. As a matter of fact heโd probably suit my old side Collingwood if they could fit him in, but I donโt know if they could fit him in,โ Shaw said, with the Magpies salary cap already potentially making room for Brodie Grundy, with speculation rife that the ruckman is set to sign a lucrative contract with Collingwood.
Shaw's comments come following Bob Murphy's last week, in which the former Bulldogs skipper queried whether other clubs were circling the former Hawk for a possible trade.
The 1990 Premiership captain also questioned whether Franklin's presence as Sydney's forward target has stalled the development of other youngsters.
โTheyโve got some good young players but theyโre going to lose some really top quality oldies too pretty shortly,โ he said.
โWho has developed as another forward (at Sydney) while Buddy has been there?
"People say heโs been great for marketing, which he has been, but itโs more about premierships. Thatโs where Iโm coming from."
While Shaw doesn't think it is likely to happen, he isn't prepared to rule it out altogether.
โBuddy probably doesnโt want to go, I would think heโs planted up there pretty well and I donโt think itโd happen because itโd be too much of a big decision to make. But footy is a funny game."
Franklin and the Swans will be looking for redemption this weekend. After a slow start to the season, they face Richmond on Saturday night at Marvel Stadium.
