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It is a classic photograph. Buddy Franklin raising his fist in celebration after kicking a goal, a determined yet satisfied look on his face.
It probably appears on bedroom walls the country over, having been clipped from the various newspapers it appeared in by young, hero worshipping Hawks fans.
But the headline above the photo – “The decision to stay or leave” – brings with it a jarring reality.
The caption below the photo offers no comfort either, reading – “Lance Franklin must choose between his current team at Hawthorn and a club he could help develop.”
Lance Franklin must choose.
Like Gary Ablett junior and Tom Scully before him, he must make a choice.
And like Ablett and Scully, Franklin’s choice will most likely be money over mates.
That’s ok. Disappointing of course for the legions of Hawthorn supporters who idolise the big number 23, but not the end of the world. They will get over it – eventually.
What is disappointing though is the sham that we have to endure before hand. No, he hasn’t gone yet, but he is following the pattern set by those who have gone before him.
But what is even a bigger sham is what usually comes after the defection. The perpetuation of the notion that the player left their established club to take up an ‘exciting opportunity’ or to ‘help with the development of the youngsters’ or that they felt ‘they had something to offer’ their new club.
Spare me please.
We all know it was for the money.
Again, there is nothing wrong with that. Not many people would knock back the six year deal worth nine million dollars that GWS have reportedly offered Franklin. But for heaven’s sake, just come out and say it – Yes I went because it was too much money to refuse!
You are breaking the hearts of thousands of your loyal fans, so the least you can do is be honest about it.
Players leave clubs all the time, many for reasons that we all understand. They may have been de-listed or simply lacked opportunity so we bid them adieu and wish them well. But when someone leaves for more money, we scream about a lack of loyalty and the vulgarity of putting money before all else.
This may go some way to explaining why those involved in the big money transfers try to deflect the attention from their newly acquired remuneration packages.
The article that accompanied the aforementioned photograph was written by North Melbourne vice captain Drew Petrie. While stating that he doesn’t begrudge those who do leave he does give them something of a backhander when talking of his own loyalty.
“For me, being a one-club player is something I always aspired to be. While some will chase the money, I would rather stay loyal to the club that offered me every opportunity to become who I am today and also embraced my family all those years ago.”
They are noble sentiments and Petrie is to be applauded for his loyalty to his club. Just as Harry Taylor, Jobe Watson and Trent Cotchin are for their recent re-signings.
But they are also the words of someone who hasn’t just been offered nine million dollars.
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