Buddy Franklin defection to Swans sparks rival club outrage

Sydney's prize recruit Lance Franklin. Source: Supplied

CARLTON coach Mick Malthouse has accused the AFL of creating a "Frankenstein" with salary cap concessions that he believes Sydney have exploited to nab superstar Lance Franklin.

Malthouse said salary cap rules that allowed the Swans to off Franklin the biggest deal in league history - a nine-year $10 million contract - punished poorer clubs like Melbourne, St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs.

"It is almost inconceivable that we will see those sides in our lifetime win a premiership under the current system, which I think is totally and utterly wrong," he said.
As the Herald Sun revealed Franklin's camp approached the Swans about a move soon almost 12 months ago, the AFL said it was investigating the offer - a move that could yet see the deal blocked.
Malthouse, who last night compared the AFL to Stalinist Russia at the Carlton best-and-fairest, continued his attack this morning.
The Blues coach labelled it a "bloody disgrace" that Sydney has been able to use a $900,000 allowance on top of its AFL salary cap to snare Franklin.
"It's so insular in the AFL that when they need something to happen, the rules change," Malthouse told 3AW.

"Now they've created a monster.

"Frankenstein is up and running, and now it's hard to stop because these rules are being exploited to the absolute nth degree by a very clever Sydney - a very, very clever Sydney - and I take my hat off to how good they are.