Richmond great Royce Hart urges Tigers to chase Hawthorn free agent Lance Franklin Glenn McFarlane
Herald Sun
June 06, 2013 ROYCE Hart, the AFL's Team of the Century centre half-forward, has urged Richmond to chase Lance Franklin, saying he could make the difference in the Tigers' quest for their first flag in a generation.
The Richmond legend believes his old side is in desperate need of a power centre half-forward to help full-forward Jack Riewoldt.
Hart said the out-of-contract Hawk must be the Tigers' prime target for 2014.
"(Richmond) are on the right track ... but they still haven't quite got the balance right," said Hart, named a Legend in the AFL Hall of Fame on Tuesday.
"I couldn't tell you who has played centre half-forward (for Richmond) this year.
"They need to pick up 'Buddy' Franklin. Why not have a crack at trying to get him if he is available."
The Tigers famously had the chance to select Franklin in the 2004 national draft, but overlooked him with two picks - for midfielder Brett Deledio at No.1 then Richard Tambling, now playing with Adelaide, at No.4.
Franklin went to Hawthorn at No.5.
"They went for smaller blokes and, in my opinion, no little bloke will beat a big bloke in a body-contact sport," Hart said.
Franklin has put off contract negotiations until the end of the season.
Hart remains disappointed the Tigers did not make a more significant bid for Travis Cloke when he had his contract stand-off with Collingwood last year.
"He should have been playing at Richmond anyway because of his family background with the Tigers," Hart said.
Cloke's father played 219 games with Richmond and his grandfather was a long-time Tigers committeeman.
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