Buddy will stay a Hawk: manager
LANCE Franklin's manager Liam Pickering says his superstar client will re-sign with Hawthorn.
Franklin's current contract expires at the end of next season and, should he not sign a new deal with the Hawks before then, the 25-year-old will become a restricted free agent.
The four-time All Australian would be sure to draw big money offers from rival clubs, but Pickering said a change of colours was unlikely.
"We'll get it done with Hawthorn, don't even worry about it," Pickering said on Melbourne radio station SEN on Saturday morning.
Asked if Franklin would remain a Hawthorn player for the rest of his career, Pickering responded: "I would assume so, yeah."
Pickering went on to say there was no temptation to hold off on signing a deal in order to test the market.
"I don't need to test the free agency market with Lance Franklin," he said.
"Let's be honest - every club would want Buddy Franklin.
"But he will stay at Hawthorn; it will be all sorted.
"I'm very confident."
Fremantle this week ruled itself out of pursuing Franklin, saying the club would not be able to meet Franklin's wage demands.
In July, Hawks CEO Stuart Fox said the club was keen to avoid the type of hysteria around Franklin's contract status that followed Collingwood forward Travis Cloke this year.
"We've seen the issues around Collingwood with Travis Cloke, and I don't want that for our club, because when you're trying to perform and the focus is on one individual it can detract from your goal," Fox said at a pre-match function ahead of the Hawks' clash with Greater Western Sydney in round 15.
"So we'll work towards signing Buddy at the end of the year."
Earlier this month, Fox was reluctant to talk about the progress of negotiations with the West Australian.
"I don't wish to talk about it apart from saying it's an ongoing issue and something we're working on," he said.
Follow Mark Macgugan on Twitter: @AFL_MarkM.