Lance Franklin's historic $10 million move to the Sydney Swans in 2013 was set in motion 18 months earlier, with text messages between his manager Liam Pickering and Swans coach John Longmire revealing the secret pursuit began on May 9, 2012. The stunning texts, revealed in Longmire's upcoming autobiography, show Franklin was already considering Sydney while still playing for Hawthorn.
How the secret deal began
The first text from Pickering to Longmire came just four days after Sydney's five-point loss to Adelaide in Round 6 of the 2012 AFL season. Franklin had kicked 5.6 in Hawthorn's 35-point win over St Kilda the weekend before. Pickering's message read: 'Hawks trying to extend Buddy now mate – he is not keen at the moment. Interested in Swans if u can speak to Andrew (Ireland) and come up with the right offer.'
Longmire responded: 'Will speak to Andrew. Thanks.' The pair had a history, having played together at North Melbourne from 1989 to 1992. Pickering later became one of the AFL's biggest agents.
Franklin's growing interest in Sydney
By July 19, 2012, Pickering sent another text: 'Just spoke to Buddy then. You were right, I said he was 80/20 going to the Swans … You said bulls***! You were right … he just told me to 'tell your mate Horse, I'm 95% going to the Swans' … fair dinkum.'
Franklin wanted to escape Melbourne's 'goldfish bowl' and move closer to his partner Jesinta, who lived in Sydney. But the Swans' interest in Adelaide's Kurt Tippett caused concern. Pickering later texted: 'I've just got a message from Bud; he has asked, why are you going after Tippett?' Longmire replied: 'Why is that?' Pickering responded: 'He wants to come to Sydney.'
The final move
The secret deal was complicated by Longmire's relationship with Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson, a former teammate. Franklin underwent a medical in Sydney during the 2013 bye rounds and later signed a nine-year, $10 million deal with the Swans. The Hawks chose not to match the bid.
Franklin's move to Sydney came after he had helped Hawthorn win the 2008 premiership and was part of their 2012 grand final loss to the Swans. He would later win another premiership with Hawthorn in 2013 before joining Sydney.