Demetriou: Buddy great but risky

Lance Franklin in his new colours. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: DailyTelegraph

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou says the nine-year deal Lance Franklin has signed is "risky"' for the Swans but he's over the moon to have the code's biggest star in Sydney where he can have the greatest impact in the battle of the codes.

Next door to Franklin's new home at the SCG both Alessandro Del Piero (Sydney FC) and Sonny Bill Williams (Sydney Roosters) will be in action.

While the Giants needed Franklin much more than the Swans, Franklin will still be leading the AFL's push in the harbour city.

"Absolutely it is good for the code to have Lance Franklin in Sydney,'' Demetriou told The Daily Telegraph.

"He's a star, he's one of the biggest names playing the game.

"From the code perspective it is tremendously positive he's in Sydney."

Missing out on Franklin was a blow for the AFL's newest team but Demetriou thinks the Giants have recovered well in the trade period and they will still benefit from having the superstar forward in the same city.

"I think missing out on Buddy could be a blessing for them," Demetriou said.

"It's freed up money to pursue (Shane) Mumford and Heath Shaw who are both great gets.

"Jed Lamb is another and they have managed to keep their No.1 draft pick in (Tom) Boyd and trade for the second pick.

"They have (Jeremy) Cameron and they have (Jonathon) Patton coming back. I think it's all upside for the Giants.

"With those three forwards — Cameron, Boyd and Patton — they will be a very exciting team.

"The fact Buddy is in Sydney is good for the Giants because he's in this market and he will be a drawcard.

"He's probably going to help them sell out their first game when they play the Swans."

While Franklin's mere presence is promoting the AFL in Sydney neither his management nor the Swans have approached the game's governing body about an ambassadorial role in the growing market.

"I don't know if Buddy is interested in doing any ambassadorial roles, he's not the sort of guy who you think would," Demetriou said.

"Any person who is of value we will consider."

During the week Giants CEO David Matthews called Franklin's nine year contract with the Swans 'irresponsible.'

The AFL's integrity department investigated the deal and despite its length found there was nothing wrong with it.

"It's a bone fide deal," Demetriou said.

"The Swans have acknowledged it's got risk attached to it we've acknowledged it's got risk attached to it.

"We don't see many nine year deals but it is what it is. They are aware and have acknowledged in writing the money has to go into the cap for all of the nine years."

The signing of Franklin has been described by some as a loosening of the Swans' famous no-dickheads policy but the AFL boss believes the assessment is unfair on the former Hawk.

"I don't share these views about his off field behaviour, I'm not privy to information about that," Demetriou said.

"In my conversations with Buddy I've found him to be a good person. He's a larger than life figure, he's very charismatic.

"He'll probably do what most footballers do when they come to Sydney, he'll settle in well and be a great contributor because people adjust pretty well here."

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