The idea of one of the League's powerhouse clubs having a war chest of that size – let's call it the Franklin Fund – is enough to make opposition clubs nervous.
The Hawks had reportedly budgeted to pay Franklin $4.5 million over the next four seasons.
With that money now freed up, some Hawks fans are presumably already salivating in anticipation of the big-name recruit who will lob at Waverley Park in the near future.
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Already Hawthorn has enticed St Kilda ruckman Ben McEvoy to wear the brown and gold next year. But as good a player as the 24-year-old McEvoy is – and as much as he should still improve – the Franklin Fund will have many Hawks fans dreaming bigger.
Out Franklin, in Replacement Superstar, they'll be thinking.
But any Hawks fans expecting their new star to be signed and ready to run out for round one, 2014, are probably getting ahead of themselves.
Because it's becoming increasingly likely Hawthorn's recruiting team will be content to keep most of its powder dry in this month's Gillette AFL Player Exchange Period.
The Hawks were widely linked with former Collingwood star Dale Thomas, but now that he's joined Carlton this year's free agency pool has been all but drained.
The ranks of out-of-contract and 'gettable' opposition players is also light on for star quality and it seems the Hawks' biggest remaining target is Brisbane Lions ruckman Billy Longer, 20, who would make only a modest dent in the Franklin Fund.
That makes it more and more likely the Hawks will bide their time until next year's free agency and trade periods, or even wait until 2015.
Not that they will be sitting on their hands until then.
Remember, it was revealed last week that the Franklin-to- Swans deal was a year in the making.
It's quite possible Hawthorn has already approached a big fish's manager in the same manner. So if an opposition star puts off contract talks at the start of next season like Franklin did this year, it could be the Hawks have already got their talons into him for 2015.
AFL.com.au understands in the wake of Franklin's decision to leave Hawthorn, the Hawks began working to restructure some existing players' contracts.
This could put them in an even stronger position come next year's free agency period.
If they are not re-signed between now and then, Hawthorn could look to bolster their midfield in 2015 with Bryce Gibbs, David Mundy or Travis Boak, their key defensive ranks with Ben Reid or James Frawley, or bring in a defensive playmaker like Shannon Hurn to replace the recently retired Brent Guerra.
Could the Hawks end up with Trent Cotchin or Scott Selwood at the end of 2015? Picture: AFL Media
However, the Hawks could even hold off until 2015's free agency market, which looks particularly strong at the moment.
Star midfielders Patrick Dangerfield, Dayne Beams, Trent Cotchin and Ryan Griffen are all set to become free agents then.
All would come at a high price, but that should not be a problem thanks to the Franklin Fund.
The considerable salaries of existing Hawk stars such as Sam Mitchell and Shaun Burgoyne will also probably be off Hawthorn's books by then, while Luke Hodge will have either joined them in retirement or be playing on a reduced contract.
In short, the Hawks could set themselves up to throw a Swans ransom at Dangerfield or Cotchin.
Of course, the Hawks could pursue a number of quality cheaper options. Saint Jack Steven and Eagle Scott Selwood fit that bill among the 2015 free agency pool.
With that sort of talent potentially available, Hawks fans should rest easy that one way or another the Franklin Fund will deliver them a replacement star or stars.
It may not happen this October. But it will happen.
Twitter: @AFL_Nick
However, the Hawks could even hold off until 2015's free agency market, which looks particularly strong at the moment.
Star midfielders Patrick Dangerfield, Dayne Beams, Trent Cotchin and Ryan Griffen are all set to become free agents then.
All would come at a high price, but that should not be a problem thanks to the Franklin Fund.
The considerable salaries of existing Hawk stars such as Sam Mitchell and Shaun Burgoyne will also probably be off Hawthorn's books by then, while Luke Hodge will have either joined them in retirement or be playing on a reduced contract.
In short, the Hawks could set themselves up to throw a Swans ransom at Dangerfield or Cotchin.
Of course, the Hawks could pursue a number of quality cheaper options. Saint Jack Steven and Eagle Scott Selwood fit that bill among the 2015 free agency pool.
With that sort of talent potentially available, Hawks fans should rest easy that one way or another the Franklin Fund will deliver them a replacement star or stars.
It may not happen this October. But it will happen.
Twitter: @AFL_Nick
