Lance Franklin tells Hawthorn he will not discuss a new deal until the end of the year, sparking fears at the Hawks that he may walk.
Lance Franklin celebrates a goal during the 2012 Grand Final. Picture: David Caird Source: Herald Sun
HAWTHORN legend Dermott Brereton says Lance Franklin has made the right move in delaying contract talks to get the best financial deal from the club.
The Herald Sun yesterday revealed Franklin's management had put off talks on a new contract until the end of the season, stunning Hawks officials who were hopeful of finalising the matter before Round 1.
Fremantle, in Franklin's home state of Western Australia, is seen to be in the best position to poach one of the game's biggest stars, with space in the Dockers' salary cap to pay the forward more than $1 million a year.
Brereton conceded the contract saga would likely create an ongoing distraction for Franklin and the Hawks, and said the move would cost the club in the vicinity of an extra $100,000 in its salary cap.
But Brereton, a five-time Hawthorn premiership forward, tipped Franklin to stay and was adamant the 25-year-old was entitled to hold off to get more money.
"If I was Buddy's manager, and this is 'Pickers' (Liam Pickering) we are talking about, I would advise him not to sign also," Brereton told the Sunday Herald Sun.
"It's like the Travis Cloke situation. You want to stay at the club, you love the club and 95 per cent you are going to stay at the club, but you want to maximise your earnings."
Pickering said Franklin, a three-time All-Australian who will become a restricted free agent at the end of the year, wanted to halt contract negotiations to concentrate on his football.
But Brereton said media scrutiny could disrupt the player and his club.
"It's not going to benefit him by saying, 'I just want to concentrate on my football'," he said.
"They (media) will keep asking him about it and every time you pull open the paper, it will distract him.
"So it is not to allow him to play better footy, it (the management tactic) is (intended) to maximise his earnings, but you know what, he's got that right."
Summer Barometer: Track the Hawks' pre-season here
Hawthorn's premiership odds eased from $4 to $4.50 with Betstar in the wake of the Franklin revelation.
Brereton tipped the athletic goalkicker to remain at Waverley Park beyond 2013, but said the Hawks would have to pay more than they initially expected.
"I would guarantee you this time next year, Buddy will be in pre-season with Hawthorn, but it is going to cost them probably 5-10 per cent more than they envisaged," he said.
"There is always a threat (of Franklin leaving) and always a possibility but I think they will get over the line."
Will Buddy be the next Gary Ablett?
The Hawks are understood to be paying near 100 per cent of their salary cap, making it difficult to accommodate the 196cm powerhouse's beefed-up contract and keep their up-and-coming youngsters.
"They do have a list at the top end which is ageing," Brereton said.
"They have got some 28-year-olds and over so there will be a little bit of wiggle room, so to speak."
Brereton said the Hawks would be in prime spot to contend for a premiership for one or two more seasons.
"They probably should have won the Grand Final but Sydney played better on the day, played at their maximum but Hawthorn didn't," he said.
"Next year will be the same. Hawthorn will be a top-three team but it's whether they can grab one then. I would say they need one next year.
"With the inclusion of Brian Lake, who can play on big forwards, they now would be the best-balanced team."
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