Lance Franklin calls on Saints to reconsider $1.7m investment as rival clubs set their sights on current standout player

AFL icon Lance Franklin is sceptical about St Kilda’s reported intent to offer Carlton ruckman Tom De Koning a staggering $1.7 million per season.

The Saints have been strongly associated with the Blues standout throughout the season, but De Koning has yet to make a decision regarding his future.

Franklin has expressed his reservations about committing such a significant sum to a ruck position, noting that St Kilda would benefit more from securing quality midfielders.

“That’s an enormous amount of money. We need to bear in mind he plays in the ruck. Personally, I wouldn’t allocate that sort of financial commitment to a ruckman,” Franklin remarked on the Buddy and Shane podcast.

“Good luck to him if he secures it, but if I were responsible for the list or the financial decisions at the club, I would prioritise a couple of midfielders instead.”

“I believe they’re in desperate need of this. If they can scrape together an additional $300,000, they could recruit two midfielders at $1 million each, which is precisely what they require.”

“They have some promising midfielders, but bolstering their ranks with additional talent would be really beneficial.”

“If you’re going to invest that kind of money, you need to ensure that they can produce results and integrate seamlessly into your team’s culture.”

Meanwhile, St Kilda aims to re-sign talented defender Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, although both Adelaide and Port Adelaide are showing interest in bringing him back to South Australia.

Franklin believes the Saints should be willing to offer whatever it takes to keep the line-breaking half-back.

“That’s where that million might be headed (towards Wanganeen-Milera), possibly even that $1.5 million,” Franklin suggested.

“You absolutely need to retain him. He possesses qualities that few others can match. He has the ability to change the game.”

St Kilda will head west for round 10, set to clash with West Coast at Optus Stadium.