The ‘bulls*** excuses' behind Buddy Franklin's GSW Giants betrayal
At the end of the 2013 season, the football world expected Lance Franklin to take his talents to New South Wales and join AFL expansion side GWS on a monster deal that would put the expansion club on the map.
But they were only half right.
Buddy did head north but in a move still seen as one of the wildest in AFL history, he had secretly agreed to sign with Sydney on a massive nine-year deal worth $10m.
The beauty of the deal was that only a handful of people knew what was really happening – and they all ensured the secret never slipped out.
But through the Code Sports Dealmaker series, it can now be revealed that a series of 'bullsh** excuses' did tip one rival player manager off and he ensured his client cashed in.
Prominent player manager Anthony McConville cracked the case through a process of elimination.
He had been working away on what should have been a regular contract for Sydney's reigning premiership ruckman Shane Mumford.
But every time McConville tried to sit down with the Swans' general manager of football Dean Moore, all he received was the player manager's version of a 'don't argue' rebuff.
'I knew Dean (Moore) wasn't keen to do a deal,' McConville told Code Sports as part of its Dealmakers Series.
'I was ringing him every second week and he would make up every bulls*** excuse under the sun. He was giving me the stiff arm.
'I knew mid-season something was going on. I was doing the numbers. I knew exactly what Mummy was earning. I knew there was nearly $2m (the Swans) were banking.
'I said to a couple of close confidants, 'Don't be surprised if there is a backflip here … don't be surprised if he (Franklin) ends up in Sydney.'
McConville was right and Buddy's move meant the Giants now had a wheelbarrow full of cash to splash and Mumford got his slice.
He joined the Giants on a three-year-deal and went on to play 116 games with the club.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
McQualter claims bitter losses won't deter Reid from staying
West Coast coach Andrew McQualter has shot down suggestions disappointing defeats such as the 49-point belting at the hands of fellow battlers Richmond will deter star Harley Reid from staying at the Eagles. Reid was at his influential best in the first half with 20 disposals, five inside 50s and six clearances before the Tigers sent Jack Ross to curb the No.1 draftees' influence. The 20-year-old went forward in the last quarter to kick two of their three goals for the term, but his teammates couldn't replicate his impact in the middle as they were blown away in an eight goal to one third term. Reid is out of contract at the end of next year and is yet to accept a range of extensions on the table from West Coast as Victorian clubs still hold out hope of luring him back east. Asked if continued heavy defeats would deter Reid from remaining at the Eagles, McQualter said: 'I think if you see Harley, the way he's invested — he's absolutely in and he's a competitor. 'He's wanting to do everything to get this club out of this position. 'Nobody likes losing, I appreciate that part of it. We're all sick to death of it to be honest, but we're the only people that can change that. It's the people inside the four walls that can get us out of here and we have to do it together.' McQualter praised Reid heavily for his game, saying he was 'by far our best player tonight'. Harley Reid of the Eagles celebrates a goal. Credit: Janelle St Pierre/AFL Photos / via Getty Images 'I loved the way he went about it and loved his team-first approach, the way he attacked the ball. He was inspirational to his teammates, I loved the way he went about it,' he said. 'We're aware we've got a 20-year-old carrying our midfield. It's not an easy position for him. We're need to help; we're going to work hard to give him help. 'We did a few things in the last quarter to give him a couple of different looks and he's fighting his way through.' West Coast are now all but destined to claim a third wooden spoon in their history and could finish with only one win for the season for the first time in their history. 'We're seeing a team and a group, they're trying, they're working hard but they're clearly just in such a void of confidence,' McQualter said. Harley Reid of the Eagles looks dejected after the loss. Credit: Daniel Carson / AFL Photos 'You look at the first quarter tonight and it was a pretty dominant quarter of football, but we go into quarter time down on the scoreboard and I think it's hurting deep in the souls of our players. 'It's a tricky position that we're in that we're showing signs, we're getting better and we're playing some good football but we're not getting rewarded for that on the scoreboard which is ultimately what we play for and what we're judged on.'
The Australian
2 hours ago
- The Australian
Leap To Fame races to Inter Dominion glory
CHAMPION rival driver Luke McCarthy hailed Leap To Fame the greatest pacer he had seen after the Queensland champion romped his way to a second record-breaking Inter Dominion pacing final win at Albion Park on Saturday night. In front of a packed and one-eyed local crowd, Leap To Fame romped away for his 22nd successive win at his home track and his 56th win from just 69 lifetime starts. The $540,000 first prize also made him the all-time richest pacer in this part of the world with $4,630,884 – surpassing another great Queenslander, Blacks A Fake's $4,575,438 stakes tally. McCarthy, who finished fourth on defending Inter Dominion champion Don Hugo, said: 'He's amazing. He's not just the greatest stayer we've seen, he's the best horse full stop.' • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Leap To Fame has now contested seven Inter Dominion races, five heats and two finals, and won them all. He started the shortest priced favourite ($1.22) since the Inter Dominion began in 1936 and, after being crossed at the start, worked around to take the lead and was never in danger. 'This time it's more of a relief, the expectation was just so huge,' trainer-driver Grant Dixon said. 'We had a little scare during the week. He bucked and knocked his leg, which he's never done, but thankfully it wasn't anything serious.' Leap To Fame became just the eighth pacer to win multiple Inter Dominion finals and owners Kevin and Kay Seymour hinted strongly at chasing a third crown, which only three other pacers have done (Blacks A Fake, Im Themightyquinn and Our Sir Vancelot). 'The big studs have been coming hard at us to retire him, but we'll hold off for at least another year,' Kevin Seymour said. 'We've been in the game over 50 years and this is the horse we've dreamt of getting … Kay won't let me retire him, at least not for a while yet. 'It's important everyone understands the huge role Grant and Trista Dixon have played in making this horse.' In typical Seymour fashion, he said the winning trophy would go to Albion Park track photographer, Dan Costello, who is facing a huge battle with cancer. 'Dan's one of nature's gentlemen and is going through a really hard time. I'd love him to have the trophy and Kay and I will donate $100,000 of the prize money towards Dan's medical bills,' he said. Leap To Fame will have a break before aiming at another first, victory in NZ's most iconic race of any code, the NZ Cup at Addington in Christchurch in November. Earlier, star Victorian trotter Arcee Phoenix smashed through the $1 million prize money barrier with an emotion-charged $500,000 Inter Dominion trotting final win. Arcee Phoenix wins the Inter Dominion Trotting Grand Final Picture: Dan Costello Trainer-driver Chris Svanosio praised his late father-in-law, Dr Alistair McLean, for his guidance with Arcee Phoenix as a talented but raw youngster. 'Without him, this horse may well not have raced at all and now he's here as a six-year-old winning the Inter Dominion,' Svanosio said. 'There's lots of feelings at the moments, emotional, excitement and just relief after such a big build-up … we did it.' Arcee Phoenix became just the fifth Aussie-trained trotter to bank over a million with first prize taking him to $1,016,280. · Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp. PHOTOS: Dan Costello
Daily Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Daily Telegraph
Leap To Fame races to Inter Dominion glory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. CHAMPION rival driver Luke McCarthy hailed Leap To Fame the greatest pacer he had seen after the Queensland champion romped his way to a second record-breaking Inter Dominion pacing final win at Albion Park on Saturday night. In front of a packed and one-eyed local crowd, Leap To Fame romped away for his 22nd successive win at his home track and his 56th win from just 69 lifetime starts. The $540,000 first prize also made him the all-time richest pacer in this part of the world with $4,630,884 – surpassing another great Queenslander, Blacks A Fake's $4,575,438 stakes tally. McCarthy, who finished fourth on defending Inter Dominion champion Don Hugo, said: 'He's amazing. He's not just the greatest stayer we've seen, he's the best horse full stop.' • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Leap To Fame has now contested seven Inter Dominion races, five heats and two finals, and won them all. He started the shortest priced favourite ($1.22) since the Inter Dominion began in 1936 and, after being crossed at the start, worked around to take the lead and was never in danger. 'This time it's more of a relief, the expectation was just so huge,' trainer-driver Grant Dixon said. 'We had a little scare during the week. He bucked and knocked his leg, which he's never done, but thankfully it wasn't anything serious.' Leap To Fame became just the eighth pacer to win multiple Inter Dominion finals and owners Kevin and Kay Seymour hinted strongly at chasing a third crown, which only three other pacers have done (Blacks A Fake, Im Themightyquinn and Our Sir Vancelot). 'The big studs have been coming hard at us to retire him, but we'll hold off for at least another year,' Kevin Seymour said. 'We've been in the game over 50 years and this is the horse we've dreamt of getting … Kay won't let me retire him, at least not for a while yet. 'It's important everyone understands the huge role Grant and Trista Dixon have played in making this horse.' In typical Seymour fashion, he said the winning trophy would go to Albion Park track photographer, Dan Costello, who is facing a huge battle with cancer. 'Dan's one of nature's gentlemen and is going through a really hard time. I'd love him to have the trophy and Kay and I will donate $100,000 of the prize money towards Dan's medical bills,' he said. Leap To Fame will have a break before aiming at another first, victory in NZ's most iconic race of any code, the NZ Cup at Addington in Christchurch in November. Earlier, star Victorian trotter Arcee Phoenix smashed through the $1 million prize money barrier with an emotion-charged $500,000 Inter Dominion trotting final win. Arcee Phoenix wins the Inter Dominion Trotting Grand Final Picture: Dan Costello Trainer-driver Chris Svanosio praised his late father-in-law, Dr Alistair McLean, for his guidance with Arcee Phoenix as a talented but raw youngster. 'Without him, this horse may well not have raced at all and now he's here as a six-year-old winning the Inter Dominion,' Svanosio said. 'There's lots of feelings at the moments, emotional, excitement and just relief after such a big build-up … we did it.' Arcee Phoenix became just the fifth Aussie-trained trotter to bank over a million with first prize taking him to $1,016,280. · Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp. PHOTOS: Dan Costello Originally published as Superstar pacer Leap To Fame streaks to effortless Inter Dominion victory
