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AFL News: Buddy slammed over 'crazy' pay dispute, Oliver ruled out, Bomber nears fairytale comeback

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14th July, 2022
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Former AFL great Gerard Healy believes Lance Franklin would be ‘crazy’ to leave Sydney, amid a pay dispute for a new contract heading into the 2023 season.

A report from the Herald Sun claims that Franklin, whose famous nine-year, $1.2 million contract with the Swans ends at the end of the year, is after a new deal worth between $700,000-$800,000; while the club is only prepared to offer around $500,000.

Speaking on 3AW Sportsday Radio, Healy, who won a Brownlow Medal for the Swans in 1988 after moving on a big-money offer from Melbourne three years earlier, has urged Franklin to accept what he views as a ‘pretty fair offer’ by Sydney.

“For a 35-year-old, rising to 36 next year, who was rated the 13th best key forward in the game, it’s a pretty fair offer, I would have thought,” Healy said.

“The suggestion that he’ll go to a third club surely has to be comical.

“Show me the club that’s got a spare $800,000 to pay a 36-year old for one year. And would you really change clubs for $100,000 – after tax – after you’ve earnt so much?

“The reality is he’s not the dominant force he once was when he signed the big deal and Sydney have a host of other mouths to feed.

“It [a move to another club] would be crazy for mine; it’s unedifying.”

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Despite the drama, Swans chairman Andrew Pridham remains confident that Franklin, who has kicked an equal club-high 34 goals in 2023, will extend his career for another season in the red and white.

“Both the Club and Lance are keen for him to play on,” Pridham said.

“We are confident a deal will get done.

:And yes, he is leaving Sydney very soon. We fly to Perth on Friday to play Fremantle.”

Lance Franklin celebrates a goal.

(Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“Not worth the risk”: Dees rule out star ahead of crunch clash

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Melbourne have officially confirmed star midfielder Clayton Oliver will miss their crucial match against Port Adelaide on Sunday.

Oliver, one of the Brownlow Medal favourites, underwent surgery after fracturing a thumb when his hand was kicked by Geelong captain Joel Selwood in the Dees’ loss to the Cats last Thursday night.

While Oliver will make the trip to Alice Springs with his teammates, coach Simon Goodwin has already put a line through the premiership gun.

“Clayton’s someone that’s very competitive, very determined and he’s doing everything he can to get himself up,” Goodwin told media on Thursday morning.

“It’s just not worth the risk at the moment. He’s had the surgery, he’s in a really good spot – but we’re going to give him the week off.

“It’s advice from the doctors and the surgeon that the best course of action is to take a bit longer with him and that’s what we’ll listen to.

“I’ve never seen a player have a will to win like Clayton and that’s what makes him so special and that’s what makes him a great teammate.”

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Oliver is averaging a career-high 34.6 disposals per game this season, with his only game being held to below 20 coming against the Power themselves in Round 4, when he was tagged by Willem Drew.

The clash is a vital one for both sides, with the Power seeking a win to keep their finals hopes alive, while the Demons must win to keep pace with the Cats on top of the ladder.

Clayton Oliver of the Demons and Jy Simpkin of the Kangaroos look on.

Clayton Oliver of the Demons and Jy Simpkin of the Kangaroos look on. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

‘Really promising’: Veteran Don to make VFL return, eyeing memorable AFL comeback

Michael Hurley is set to return to football for the first time since 2020, when he runs out for Essendon’s VFL side on Sunday.

Hurley, who has been unable to play since suffering a career-threatening hip infection in early 2021, has recently returned to full-time training at Windy Hill, with a number of calf ailments also delaying his progress.

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Bombers fitness boss Sean Murphy confirmed the 32-year old is ready to play for the first time since Round 18, 2020 – after a 666-day wait.

“‘Hurls’ has had a really good month of training,” Murphy said on Wednesday.

“His training loads have been at a high level and all things are looking really promising for him.”

Hurley’s next step will be to add to his 193 senior games for the Bombers, with this season looming as his farewell.

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