After Buddy Franklin’s shock move to Sydney was confirmed last October, Swans captain Adam Goodes challenged him to adopt the club’s renowned ‘Bloods’ culture, and he has responded in kind.
As news of Franklin’s $10 million move north reverberated around the AFL world, concerns were raised as to what sort of fit the former Hawthorn superstar would be in the Harbour City.
But Goodes says Franklin has earned the respect of his new teammates by tearing into pre-season training.
“It’s amazing how those comments I said were received. I just said that Buddy when he comes to the football club he has to earn the respect of the players and he has certainly done that through his hard work at training and I have been really happy with the way he has approached training,” Goodes, the Australian of the Year, said.
“You can tell he is just like any new player that has come to our footy club over the years. They are coming in and absorbing the culture.
“It is great to see that he is working hard and he is getting fit.”
Goodes remains in rehabilitation as he recovers from a knee injury that wrecked much of his 2013. But he said he can’t wait to play alongside Franklin this year.
“Buddy has just joined in skills this week which is a really good bonus with him because we really want to get that forward line structure working well by the time we start round one,” Goodes said.
“He offers a lot, he is a fantastic athlete, he can take high marks, he can kick goals from anywhere.
“I am really looking forward to expecting everything … it’s amazing. An athlete like that can produce some pretty special things out there.
“But I think the things we want him to work on as a football club is forward pressure and making sure he competes well in the air and that is as simple as it will be for his role I would have thought.”
Lroy
Guest
Ha ha, and why wouldnt you... enjoy ;-)
Penster
Guest
Is Buddy a rookie, Bruce? If they paid 10 mlll for the bloke then presumably he already has their respect. He's an all Australian, dual premiership player, Coleman medalist, dream team etc and regarded as one of the best forwards of all time, but of course the famous Blood's culture can improve him.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
And I am going to love it!
D Sparx
Guest
It will be interesting to see how the swans deal with all the pressure on them. Theyve never had it really. Anything less than a GF appearance is a fail in most of the leagues eyes so can they stand the pressure? Time will tell.
Bruce
Guest
Getting respect after a few training runs is one thing, performing on and off the field over the whole season is the test for Buddy. He then has to back that up year after year for 9 years - can't see that happening - at some stage this whole deal is going to implode.
willandy
Guest
goodes isn't captain, bloody great player but not captain . and yes the swans will be unstoppable. go the swans!!
Lroy
Guest
Remarkable.. premiers from 2 years ago add Tippett and Buddy Franklin... if they play Goodes of the half forward line with Ryan O'Keefe on the other flank and Tippet at CHF with Buddy leading out from the square they will be unstopable. How many sides have 4 gun defenders?? Teams will have to play their Brownlow medalists as backmen to combat the Swans. They are going to be a very hard side to beat in 2014.