Key Hawk on Sheedy's radar

Scheming ... Kevin Sheedy may target Buddy Franklin at the end of the year. Source: Anthony Reginato / News Limited

Giants coach Kevin Sheedy says the fledgling club wouldn't rule out targeting Buddy Franklin as a marquee signing should the Hawthorn star become a free agent at the end of the year.

Franklin has been linked to the Giants after aborting until season's end talks on extending his time at Waverley Park

The scuttlebutt linking Franklin to Greater Western Sydney came after club chairman Tony Shepherd this week called on the AFL to substantially increase the club's annual living-away-from-home allowance - currently capped at $900,000 - to attract more established recruits.

The AFL is looking at ways of increasing its footprint in western Sydney in the wake of the success of A-league new chums the Wanderers and following the club's failed experiment with NRL convert Israel Folau.

The Australian understands Franklin could command more than $1.5 million a year as a free agent.

"While we're happy with what we've already got in Jeremy Cameron and Jonathon Patton, we'd never say no to sitting down and having a chat with Buddy if he elects to go down the free-agency road," Sheedy said yesterday.

"But the Giants are not in the market to chase down every free agent who comes on the open market.

"If Franklin does decide to go down the free-agency pathway then of course the Giants would be irresponsible not to look at him - what club wouldn't?

"But the final say in any player recruitment is ultimately left to our head of football operations, Graeme Allan, player list manager Stephen Silvagni and chief executive, David Matthews."

Franklin has been the centre of intense media speculation in Melbourne over the past 48 hours following his name being linked to a potential move to GWS.

It comes after AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou was quoted in the Herald Sun as saying the league would look at options for a possible ambassadorial role for the dual Coleman Medal winner should he decide to join the Giants under free agency. He later recanted, declaring his desire was to see Franklin stay with the Hawks.

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