IT SHOULD have been obvious when Lance Franklin put off contract talks with Hawthorn that he was out of there.
History suggests that players who decide to delay negotiations with their club, in a contract year, more often than not leave at the end of that season.
Franklin's announcement on **Tuesday** that he wants to play with Greater Western Sydney in 2014 puts him alongside a growing list of AFL players who have used the same tactic in recent seasons.
Franklin and Collingwood's Dale Thomas are two of the high-profile names to put off talks with their respective clubs this season.
They have joined an ever-growing list of players to do so in the past:
Gary Ablett
"I just spoke to (Geelong CEO) Brian Cook today and we're going to put negotiations on hold until the end of the season to try and take some heat out of the whole situation. It gives him a chance to concentrate on playing, it takes a bit of heat off the club as well ... so they can get on with the job of playing and winning football matches."
- Ablett's manager Liam Pickering, June 2010
"This is all about the challenge of joining a new team and a new and unique opportunity to be part of something special in football."
- Ablett in September 1010 after signing with Gold Coast
Brendon Goddard
"As I've said all along, we've been in constant talks with the footy club and they are the discussions we're having at the minute and I think it's pretty clear what my intentions are. I've said all along I'm happy where I am."
- St Kilda star Goddard in July 2012
"It (was) something that a lot of thought went into. I was actually on the golf course (at the time). You can do a lot of thinking and there was a process where we did our due diligence. That decision wasn’t made until late in the piece, (it was) after the season when it was probably crunch time to make the decision."
- Goddard in November 2012, a month after joining Essendon as a restricted free agent
Tom Scully
"I'd love to end my career and say I was a one-club player (with Melbourne), and anticipate that will be the case."
- Scully in March 2011
"I’m absolutely delighted to be in Sydney here today .... No doubt money was a factor, but I saw an opportunity to be part of a brand new football club."
- Scully in September 2011 after signing a six-year deal with Greater Western Sydney
Dale Thomas
"At the minute I don't think they'd be too keen to talk contracts and I don't know if I would be either with a bung foot and obviously coming off not a great season. Hopefully it doesn't turn into some sort of circus like has happened at other clubs and a little bit last year with Trav Cloke."
– Dale Thomas to AFL.com.au earlier this year
Kurt Tippett
"He wants to focus solely on performing on-field to the best of his ability before considering his future later in the year, and to ensure that the matter does not became a distraction to him or anyone at the club in the lead-up to and during the finals."
- Adelaide football manager Phil Harper, August 2012
"Boys, this morning, I have told the club that I won't be renewing my contract for 2013 ... Have absolutely loved playing alongside you all. You are all friends for life! I'll be in touch. Love KT."
- Tippett's text message to teammates after leaving in October 2012
Nathan Bock
"I don't see any reason to leave, but I'll leave that to my managers to sort out."
- Adelaide defender Bock in June 2010 after delaying talks until after the mid-season break
"There are different reasons, not all financial (but) it is a significant offer that was too hard to refuse. It sets me up for after footy."
- Bock in August 2010, after becoming the first out-of-contract player to sign with Gold Coast
Travis Cloke
"We've had enough of all the talking, we're going to play football."
- Collingwood president Eddie McGuire in July 2012 after talks with Cloke's management reached flashpoint
"We always wanted him to stay there, but there was going to be an issue if he did not get the fifth year. It did get close towards the end there."
- manager Ralph Carr after Cloke signed a five-year deal to stay with the Pies
Matthew Pavlich
"I'm really happy with where it (contract negotiations) is placed. We’re happy with how it's progressing and so is the club. We’ll get to a point some time later in the year.”
- Fremantle skipper Pavlich in May 2010
"I'm really happy with the process and the outcome, I hope the Freo faithful are happy as well."
- Pavlich after signing a four-year deal with the Dockers in September 2010
Travis Boak
"We have never put pressure on Travis for a decision. We've said we would like to know sooner rather than later and understood the difficulty of Travis' decision because of his family."
- Port Adelaide football manager Peter Rohde in July 2012 after contract talks stalled
"I'm so relieved to have got the deal done after what has at times been a challenging year for me personally and for the club."
- Boak after signing a two-year deal with Port in September 2012
Dustin Martin
“Given the considerable effort we have put into Dustin’s development both on and off the field, and our efforts to retain him all season, we are extremely disappointed with this decision."
- Richmond football manager Dan Richardson after Martin told the club he had decided to explore "other options"
"There have been a lot of conflicting stories going around about myself and the Richmond footy club. At the weekend, I asked my manager Ralph Carr to request an extension of time from Richmond to allow me to fully consider the options about my future. This decision was made purely by me, together with my family. As you can understand, this is a very important decision for myself and my family and one that I won't make lightly. I want to make it clear that I appreciate everyone's patience in allowing me the time to make this decision. The claims that I have walked out on the Richmond Football Club are totally incorrect. I can tell you that at this time, no decision has been made regarding my future."
- Martin responding on Twitter to criticism of his actions
"I want to thank the Richmond Football Club and our supporters for being so patient during these negotiations. I am now looking forward to doing everything possible to help the club and my teammates have the success we all crave."
- Martin after signing a new two-year deal on Monday
"With all the stuff that went on, obviously I had a meeting with GWS, and that wasn't 'Ralphy' (Carr) or my old man's influence. It was all me. My dad's been a massive support to me and the decision to think about that was just to be closer to my dad, because I really need his support."
- Martin at the Richmond best and fairest on Monday night
Lance Franklin
"He said he didn't want the distraction of a contract [negotiation] and he has advised me talks are off until the end of the season. He doesn't want to entertain discussions and, whilst Hawthorn aren't happy, that's how it is, unfortunately."
- Franklin's manager Liam Pickering in February 2013
"I like Sydney. I obviously like Sydney a lot. But I enjoy myself in Melbourne and obviously love the Hawthorn Football Club. As I've said from the start of the season, I'll leave that for the end of the season and from there make my mind up on what I'm going to do. But at this stage it's Hawthorn where I want to be.''
- Franklin last week ahead of the Grand Final
"I will sit down with my manager on Monday or Tuesday after we finish having a party with the boys and work out what we are going to do. I wouldn't say it's easier to leave (after winning a second premiership with the Hawks). Hawthorn have been a massive part of my life and my career and it's made me the person I am today. I absolutely love the club"
- Franklin during the club's premiership celebration dinner
Twitter: @AFL_BenGuthrie
