The Sydney Swans will be looking to finally get their first premiership with their two big signings in Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett.
Tippett joined the club for the 2013 season on a substantial deal, while Franklin sensationally signed up for 2014 on a nine-year deal worth $10 million.
Since the two have joined the club, the Swans have reached the grand final on two occasions. They were dominated by Hawthorn in 2014, and last year they were over-ran by a Western Bulldogs team with destiny on their side.
While heads of the Swans have said that premierships aren’t the measuring stick of whether the Tippett and Franklin deals are a success, fans are growing restless as quality players such as Shane Mumford (Greater Western Sydney) and Tom Mitchell (Hawthorn) are pushed out of the club due to a lack of salary cap space.
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It has been good timing for the club with Isaac Heeney and Callum Mills graduating from the Swans academy and playing crucial roles for the team, leading to them being rewarded with contract extensions.
Aliir Aliir and Zac Jones have also emerged has future stars. With the club’s up and comers, along with their top-end talent and exceptional leaders, Sydney will again be contenders this season.
But if they don’t win the 2017 premiership, it will be time for some serious questions to be asked about Kurt Tippett and Lance Franklin’s large contracts, especially if Mumford continues his great form at Western Sydney and Tom Mitchell thrives at Hawthorn.
Mickyo
Guest
Tippett needs to produce more, Buddy ATM has been paying his way
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Buddy's been good value. He crashed a Jeep, providing millions in exposure a few years back. Tippet not so much. I suspect his limited ability to crash into packs had lead to his demise as a dominant forward. That and he can't kick for @#$^ outside 40 metres. Doctors advice I'm guessing to minimise any further concussions.
Maggie
Guest
Thanks for that comment Don, well said.
Don Freo
Guest
Tippett and Franklin have already paid off by doing their bit in getting them to 2 Grand Finals. Their other seasons have been successful too. No problem with them stepping up. Only one side can win the GF each year. That never means the runner up is a failure.
Mitchell Crawford
Roar Rookie
Yeah, 2015 they were unlucky with injuries and Franklin's time off towards the end of the season, they were looking very strong coming into finals. Tippett just hasn't reached that 2012 form that the Swans would have been hoping for. 2016 Franklin had a great season, looked like he worked out how to play the SCG the right way. Mumford is just a big loss because he really set the tone for the Swans as he does at Greater Western Sydney and that could be what they are really missing in an occasion such as a grand final.
Penster
Roar Guru
Franklin was best for the Swans in the 2014 grand final slaughter. Tippet was terrible, allowing Rioli to smother and convert not 1 but 2 of his disposals, and the rest of the team barring Kennedy, Goodes and maybe Richards had absolute Barry Crockers. Didn't give a whelp (to quote McVeigh). 2016, same story but add an early injury to Franklin. Clever recruiting, the academy and culture more than compensate for losing TMitchell & Mumford. Swans have got the cattle on and off the field, they're brilliant until the big dance, I'd be asking what causes them to rack the cue on grand final day.