"We believe it is inequitable that compensation is linked to ladder position," says Hawks chief executive Stuart Fox.

How on earth did this man's boss get involved with the AFL's equalisation junket?

First they complain loudly about Melbourne receiving draft assistance after achieving only five wins in two seasons and now they reckon they are getting dudded by getting pick 19 for a bloke they couldn't persuade to stay at home after giving eight years of service. And let's not forget, this is a player who might not have been a Hawk had they not received a priority pick for winning five games in the year he was drafted. And the AFL never bothered to investigate whether what they did that year was legit or not.

It's quite plain that Hawthorn cares only about Hawthorn and not the competition as a whole.

I don't know if any of the participants on that junket were subsided by the AFL but if was any integrity left at the place, it would demand a refund from these whinging hypocrites.

"We believe it is inequitable that compensation is linked to ladder position," says Hawks chief executive Stuart Fox.

How on earth did this man's boss get involved with the AFL's equalisation junket?

First they complain loudly about Melbourne receiving draft assistance after achieving only five wins in two seasons and now they reckon they are getting dudded by getting pick 19 for a bloke they couldn't persuade to stay at home after giving eight years of service. And let's not forget, this is a player who might not have been a Hawk had they not received a priority pick for winning five games in the year he was drafted. And the AFL never bothered to investigate whether what they did that year was legit or not.

It's quite plain that Hawthorn cares only about Hawthorn and not the competition as a whole.

I don't know if any of the participants on that junket were subsided by the AFL but if was any integrity left at the place, it would demand a refund from these whinging hypocrites.

So, did the MFC receive better compo for Scully and Geelong better for Ablett jr, than what Hawthorn have received for Franklin?

Either way, Buddy Franklin is a bigger brand player than he is a footballer.

In terms of hype and delivery, he falls short.

This is what annoys me about this generation of fans, they get caught up in hype.

And why didn't they complain when the compensation band framework was installed and not just when they are involved

They are not really a family club, as they clam to be, they are where they are today because of pp, they got 6 t,op 5 picks in 3 years, also from selling more home games then anyone in history.

IMO when you compare the Dal Santo and Buddy compensation picks, that Sylvia is not worth pick 23.

I have a conspiracy theory which is as follows:

We were always going to let Sylvia slip and PJ let his good mate AD know about it. The AFL had to say no to the priority pick to satisfy other clubs. But AD told PJ don't worry, we'll bump up compo for ya buddy!!

Hawthorn serves Hawthorn as does any club. AFL is a particularly adversarial competition.

None of the power clubs would truly support the concept of equalisation. They won't want to relinquish thier power, would you? If i was a Hawthorn member i would expect them to fight like dogs to stay at the top.

But I'm not, I'm a dees man and I would like to see us take every little advantage we can and try and claw our way upward. Then we might have a voice and some clout again.

Why would they complain when it was brought in, after all they wouldn't expect to lose anyone through FA, they thought they would be able to pick the carcasses of those clubs at the foot of the ladder. After all FA is only there to assist the top clubs top up their lists at the detriment of the lower clubs.

The fact they are having a whinge about it is absolute gold.

Whingers. They should be happy to win a premiership.

So, did the MFC receive better compo for Scully and Geelong better for Ablett jr, than what Hawthorn have received for Franklin?

Either way, Buddy Franklin is a bigger brand player than he is a footballer.

In terms of hype and delivery, he falls short.

This is what annoys me about this generation of fans, they get caught up in hype.

The only player to kick over 100 goals in a season since Lockett did in 1998.

That's not hype, that's real.

They are not really a family club, as they clam to be, they are where they are today because of pp, they got 6 t,op 5 picks in 3 years, also from selling more home games then anyone in history.

Painful as it is I must be fair to them regarding their use of their various priority picks: they did use them better than we did.

Why are we acting all indignant about Hawthorn only acting in the interests of Hawthorn? All clubs argue the point that serves themselves, that's the nature of any heavily regulated business. I'd expect nothing less from the MFC if we were in the same boat.

So, did the MFC receive better compo for Scully and Geelong better for Ablett jr, than what Hawthorn have received for Franklin?

Either way, Buddy Franklin is a bigger brand player than he is a footballer.

In terms of hype and delivery, he falls short.

This is what annoys me about this generation of fans, they get caught up in hype.

Sorry but any player that can do what Franklin did at the start of this clip doesn't fall short. We all know it wasn't a fluke too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGHNJBtvWhw

May I [censored] on Jeff Kennett's jacket!!!!!

Sorry but any player that can do what Franklin did at the start of this clip doesn't fall short. We all know it wasn't a fluke too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGHNJBtvWhw

No doubting Franklin is a brilliant player with skills not seen in players that size - perhaps ever.

But for all the skills, for all the hype - he falls short in performance... Not short for most players, but falls short for what he is built up to be.

Roughead had a better year than Franklin, yet he gets barely as many props, because he isn't as dynamic.

Buddy is a brand, they build him up to be the AFL's version of Jordan - and as dynamic as Franklin can be, he isn't dynamic very often.

Sydney bought a brand and a very talented footballer, but as far as Hawthorn go, his performances this year weren't what they are built up to be.

I wouldn't of had Buddy anywhere near my top 50 and if his name wasn't Buddy, he'd of been no where near the AA 40 player squad.

So, did the MFC receive better compo for Scully and Geelong better for Ablett jr, than what Hawthorn have received for Franklin?

Either way, Buddy Franklin is a bigger brand player than he is a footballer.

In terms of hype and delivery, he falls short.

This is what annoys me about this generation of fans, they get caught up in hype.

scully and ablett weren't FAs - special GWS out-of-contract situation - diff compo rules

And why didn't they complain when the compensation band framework was installed and not just when they are involved

Nor when they grabbed players from other clubs and won flags with them . Nor when they took Clarkson, Viney, Evans, Fagan, Yze, Bruce, Connolly, Davis and Biffen as coaches from us. Nor when they got millions from the AFL for going to Tassie. Etc, etc, etc.

They should look A clubs and supporters who have suffered without success before whinging.

May I [censored] on Jeff Kennett's jacket!!!!!

I would assume using the same technique as Don Lane, Bitty.

I Know i will get howled-down for this.....

but If is was a hawthorn supporter... I would be thinking "we have just lost one of the top 3? (Ablett, Pendelbury, ???????, Franklin) players currently playing, and we only get pick 19? WTF!!!

I think they have every right to complain, and they should have revieved a higher pick than they did.

Free agency is broken in my opinion, and if there are no compensation picks as might happen next year it will be a travesty for struggling cubs, as players leave for more sucess at better clubs, because whilst money is a big driver for the players, winning and especially premerships (therefore enjoying your time much more) are what the older players really want,

sylvia is the perfect example, old and experienced enough, with enough money to live comfortably for the rest of his life (Unless he is a [censored] with his money like Fevolia or someone else I wont mention from our club because I respect the man for how he turned his life around...) so all that matters is actually enjoying playing footy, which means actually winning games, any ultimatley premierships

so the good players leave clubs that are poor (read [censored]), (hopefully we have dug our way out of our hole by then, we are seemingly on the right path but i have thought that before) and they cant attract new good players to replace what they have lost. Watch the struggling clubs get very close to/if not folding.... at least there will be a club in tassie...

Dear Hawthorn,

GFY.

Hawks supporters:

- We dont need Franklin.

Franklin leaves going to Sydney and Hawks get a first round pick

- They Free agency compensation is unfair

So which one is it?

I like the compensation. The worse you are the more you'll miss your experienced players so the more you get for them. The better you are the less you get for them. Sounds like a simple way to protect bottom clubs.

Take away compensation and it will turn into a huge market of players. Right now it's a small market with some good but mainly a few cheap players moving. That's how we want it.

"We believe it is inequitable that compensation is linked to ladder position," says Hawks chief executive Stuart Fox.

How on earth did this man's boss get involved with the AFL's equalisation junket?

First they complain loudly about Melbourne receiving draft assistance after achieving only five wins in two seasons and now they reckon they are getting dudded by getting pick 19 for a bloke they couldn't persuade to stay at home after giving eight years of service. And let's not forget, this is a player who might not have been a Hawk had they not received a priority pick for winning five games in the year he was drafted. And the AFL never bothered to investigate whether what they did that year was legit or not.

It's quite plain that Hawthorn cares only about Hawthorn and not the competition as a whole.

I don't know if any of the participants on that junket were subsided by the AFL but if was any integrity left at the place, it would demand a refund from these whinging hypocrites.

You seem to spend your life whingeing about "the unfairness of it all".

Clearly they weren't compensated adequately when one considers the compensation measured towards other players. I don't blame them for condemning Melbourne's draft assistance, I would too. I don't blame them for only caring about Hawthorn. How could I ?

Victim mentality again and again.

I Know i will get howled-down for this.....

but If is was a hawthorn supporter... I would be thinking "we have just lost one of the top 3? (Ablett, Pendelbury, ???????, Franklin) players currently playing, and we only get pick 19? WTF!!!

I think they have every right to complain, and they should have revieved a higher pick than they did.

Free agency is broken in my opinion, and if there are no compensation picks as might happen next year it will be a travesty for struggling cubs, as players leave for more sucess at better clubs, because whilst money is a big driver for the players, winning and especially premerships (therefore enjoying your time much more) are what the older players really want,

sylvia is the perfect example, old and experienced enough, with enough money to live comfortably for the rest of his life (Unless he is a [censored] with his money like Fevolia or someone else I wont mention from our club because I respect the man for how he turned his life around...) so all that matters is actually enjoying playing footy, which means actually winning games, any ultimatley premierships

so the good players leave clubs that are poor (read [censored]), (hopefully we have dug our way out of our hole by then, we are seemingly on the right path but i have thought that before) and they cant attract new good players to replace what they have lost. Watch the struggling clubs get very close to/if not folding.... at least there will be a club in tassie...

Unfortunately l think you might be right. But you may need to go right back to who suggested the Free Agency argument In the very first place , to establish the real agendas.

Doubt if you will find the poorer clubs the instigators.

Might find one of the proponents now at Richmond and making somewhat contradictory statements of late.

You seem to spend your life whingeing about "the unfairness of it all".

Clearly they weren't compensated adequately when one considers the compensation measured towards other players. I don't blame them for condemning Melbourne's draft assistance, I would too. I don't blame them for only caring about Hawthorn. How could I ?

Victim mentality again and again.

Actually, I agree that Hawthorn should have been better compensated for losing Franklin and we should never have received a pick four behind the one they got. In case you didn't notice, the victim here is Hawthorn.

The point I was making is that their President went away on a junket supposedly to look at ways of equalising the competition and since he left, he and his club have done exactly the opposite. It's the hypocrisy of his club doing this that I abhor.

Dear Hawthorn,

GFY.

That about sums it up.

I Know i will get howled-down for this.....

but If is was a hawthorn supporter... I would be thinking "we have just lost one of the top 3? (Ablett, Pendelbury, ???????, Franklin) players currently playing, and we only get pick 19? WTF!!!

I think they have every right to complain, and they should have revieved a higher pick than they did.

Free agency is broken in my opinion, and if there are no compensation picks as might happen next year it will be a travesty for struggling cubs, as players leave for more sucess at better clubs, because whilst money is a big driver for the players, winning and especially premerships (therefore enjoying your time much more) are what the older players really want,

sylvia is the perfect example, old and experienced enough, with enough money to live comfortably for the rest of his life (Unless he is a [censored] with his money like Fevolia or someone else I wont mention from our club because I respect the man for how he turned his life around...) so all that matters is actually enjoying playing footy, which means actually winning games, any ultimatley premierships

so the good players leave clubs that are poor (read [censored]), (hopefully we have dug our way out of our hole by then, we are seemingly on the right path but i have thought that before) and they cant attract new good players to replace what they have lost. Watch the struggling clubs get very close to/if not folding.... at least there will be a club in tassie...

If I was a Hawthorn supporter I'd be pretty happy winning 2 grand finals in a handful of years, not to mention the last 30 yrs of success. If winning flags means I don't get a great return for losing a great FA, then I'd be over the moon to win flags. As a Melbourne supporter experiencing the worst period in the club's history, I expect better compo for a FA than the premier.