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.
“Buddy’s 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?” Shaw told The Daily Telegraph.
“They’ve been a fantastic club and things turn around … but I’m 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.
“He might think it’s (a premiership) is going to happen there. But I just see some issues.”
The former Magpies great believes that the 32-year-old would be a good fit for the black and white.
“I’d still think he’s got currency. As a matter of fact he’d probably suit my old side Collingwood if they could fit him in, but I don’t know if they could fit him in,” 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.
“They’ve got some good young players but they’re going to lose some really top quality oldies too pretty shortly,” he said.
“Who has developed as another forward (at Sydney) while Buddy has been there?
“People say he’s been great for marketing, which he has been, but it’s more about premierships. That’s where I’m coming from.”
While Shaw doesn’t think it is likely to happen, he isn’t prepared to rule it out altogether.
“Buddy probably doesn’t want to go, I would think he’s planted up there pretty well and I don’t think it’d happen because it’d 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.
