Buddy the only Hawk yet to sign

Franklin says he'll be fine for the Grand Final. But will he re-sign? Source: Colleen Petch / News Limited

BARRING the obvious exception, Hawthorn has secured the services of virtually every one of its best 22 players for the next season at least.

That feat of list management has been achieved despite the difficulty created by Lance Franklin's decision at the start of this year to put on hold all contract discussions until the end of the season.

And while the club has done a remarkable job in not allowing the Franklin situation to become a damaging distraction from the business of winning, it could still have a sting in the tail.

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Of the Hawks' first-choice team, only Franklin and ruckman Max Bailey are not out of contract — and the manager of unrestricted free agent Bailey said last week that he would be going nowhere.

It was reported last week that the Hawks had taken their latest offer to Franklin off the table, at least temporarily.

The year-long Franklin stand-off means the club has either had to deal with its other players with more than a tenth of its salary cap set aside for Franklin, or — with a spate of signings in recent weeks — it has moved on without him.

The former scenario is much more likely, and means the Hawks could aggressively enter the trade and free agency markets if and when Franklin declares he is gone.

Lance Franklin, Adidas deal. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: Herald Sun

On the one hand, other stars at the club could be pleased at the possible influx of new talent — a late play for Dale Thomas and even Sydney ruckman Shane Mumford has been mooted.

On the other, several could be a little aggrieved that they have signed for less than their market worth because Franklin had decided to spend the year weighing his multi-million-dollar options.

Even premiership captain and perennial Brownlow fancy Sam Mitchell said this year that Franklin deserves to be the highest paid Hawk.

But how happy would he be if the Franklin money was spent on incoming trades?

It is possible that there are clauses in some Hawk contracts that allow for more money should Franklin walk.

In the period between Hawthorn's qualifying final win over Sydney and Friday night's win against the Cats, they club quietly stitched up its young brigade — Jed Anderson, Bradley Hill, Isaac Smith, Ryan Schoenmakers and Paul Puopolo.

Already this year, it had dealt with Luke Hodge, Jarryd Roughead, Matt Suckling, Sam Mitchell, Shaun Burgoyne and Cyril Rioli.

Unless you follow Hawthorn on twitter or are a regular visitor to the club's website, you could be forgiven for missing the more recent signings.

There was little fanfare and the club did not want to talk to the Herald Sun about it.

It hasn't said a lot about Franklin, either and neither has his manager Liam Pickering.

We could expect to hear from both parties as soon as next week.

Whether Franklin stays or goes, the Hawks are in excellent shape.

BUDDY'S DECISION

GWS: Up to $12m over six seasons, including marketing allowances and third party agreements

HAW: $4.5m over four seasons

HAWTHORN SIGNINGS

NEW DEALS IN 2013

Luke Hodge

Jarryd Roughead

Sam Mitchell

Shaun Burgoyne

Cyril Rioli

Matt Suckling

Jed Anderson

Bradley Hill

Isaac Smith

Ryan Schoenmakers

Paul Puopolo

ALREADY LOCKED UP

Jordan Lewis

Josh Gibson

Brad Sewell

Grant Birchall

Brian Lake

Jack Gunston

David Hale

Shane Savage

Luke Breust

Ben Stratton

Liam Shiels

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

Max Bailey

Xavier Ellis

Brent Guerra

Michael Osborne

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