Mitch.

Viney.

Hulk.

All of a sudden (kinda) I have that pride (gone since Neita retired) creeping back in...

Not to forget Jimmy Toumpas.

Hogan is destined to be a superstar. I don't care that it's only one game in a NAB Cup format - his talent is just so bloody obvious.

I hope the club gives him a 10 year contract extension.

I was there last night. It is very hard not to get excited about Jesse as he is just so god damn exciting. Yes most big guys take time to grow into there bodies and have to learn the game at the highest level because they dominate juniors. But this kid is solid, quick, reads the play, moving to the right positions, good hands and good skills. A year training with the senior team playing against senior players some of which are AFL players could not be any Better IMO. If he continues to develop from what we have seen so far we now have no pressure or need for Watts to become a permanent forward this is positive for Watts and the MFC as at this stage he is better suited behind the ball or on the ball. I'm excited!

The thing to remember is that if not for the Mini Draft he wouldn't have gone into the draft until next year, so there is no point complaining that he can't play this year as we got him before he could be drafted.

I'm still going to complain. He's on our list and it's a massive tease. I want instant gratification!

...But this kid is solid, quick, reads the play, moving to the right positions, good hands and good skills.

Put simply, he's a bigger, stronger, quicker, taller, and a better version of Hurley. And have you heard how the media creams themselves over Hurley ?

Fair point but it doesn't make it any less frustrating.

It's like letting a kid unwrap his Christmas present early, letting him play with it for 20 minutes, then telling him he can't play with it for another year.

The lid is off with Hogan for me. He just does too many things well for a guy his size to not get excited about.

I taped all four of the NAB Cup Under 18 championship games that Fox Footy presented in July last year including the two in which Hogan represented WA and I've kept them on the IQ (shows we didn't have much of value from last year worth keeping).

Suffice to say the lid was off the minute I laid eyes on this bloke and it's no wonder that North supporters were talking about him last night and comparing him with Wayne Carey. Now, I think that's a bit premature but only because he needs to have one further ingredient instilled into him and that is the "mongrel" factor (and I mean that in the nicest possible way as not including Carey's despicable past record of anti-social off field behaviour). I mean that if he can learn over the next 2 or 3 seasons to be tough and uncompromising in the way Carey played then blokes like Jack Viney, Jimmy Toumpas and he will help convert the weak culture instilled into the club over the past decade and make our team one to be feared for the future.

...Suffice to say the lid was off the minute I laid eyes on this bloke...

Don't even think about trying to claim him. ; )

Field kicking needs work, but otherwise some good signs.

Suffice to say the lid was off the minute I laid eyes on this bloke and it's no wonder that North supporters were talking about him last night and comparing him with Wayne Carey. Now, I think that's a bit premature but only because he needs to have one further ingredient instilled into him and that is the "mongrel" factor (and I mean that in the nicest possible way as not including Carey's despicable past record of anti-social off field behaviour). I mean that if he can learn over the next 2 or 3 seasons to be tough and uncompromising in the way Carey played then blokes like Jack Viney, Jimmy Toumpas and he will help convert the weak culture instilled into the club over the past decade and make our team one to be feared for the future.

Someone mentioned in the game day thread that Carey was glowing in his appraisal of Watts' game. I'd be interested to hear what he thought of Hogan.

My immediate thought was a Jonno Brown comparison but why not aim for the top?

Too young this year

Can you explain why??He is now 18. Is there a cut off date or something??

Yes Jesse Hogan was pleasingly impressive indeed. It maybe that in the future the deal done over the draft period to get Hogan, toumpas, Barry, and Viney with picks 3,4, 12 and 26 will look inspired and maybe THE move which will get us back in the game. If the deal was as rumored: picks 3 and 12 for Hogan and Berry, plus an agreement that Gold Coast don't nominate for Viney in the early round to allow him to slip through to 26, and pick 4 for toumpas, then it shows a welcome ruthlessness and steel which I think we have lacked in our deal making in the past.

Neeld showed the same to get Clark. Will we show the same to get Franklin, as rumored? Personally, with Dawes, Hogan, Clark (and Fitzpatrick waiting in the wings) and later possibly Watts stepping up as our key forwards I don't think we need another key forward. I would rather we spent the money on a mid fielder A-grader.

I was extremely, and somewhat surprisingly, impressed with Toumpas. He is such an elegant and seemingly tough footballer for one so young and relatively slight: great kick for goal (about time we had a sharp shooter),hard at the ball, a great mover, and someone (like all the greats) who seems to have plenty of time. Reminds me a bit of Travis Johnstone at his best.

All we need is for Dom Barry to show his wares and this deal will look like a stroke of genius. I thought Barry struggled at last week's practice match and wasn't surprised he was left out of the NAB Cup squad. He has the speed and size though to be good. I hope he develops into something exciting. Our Neville Jetta....

Yes exacxtly, we didn't bend over & we should learn to not ever again.

Dog eats dog in the AFL.

We have to stop being afraid of treading on others toes.

And to stand, & stand for things, & to stand & cheer. Ladies & gentlemen, rise from your seats & learn to 'Cheer'.

Think I answered my own question on Hogan's ineligibility

From the 2009 draft, players must be at least 18 years of age on 31 December in the year in which they are drafted, so that players who turn 18 during their first months of Year 12 will be able to finish studying without the pressure of AFL. This was increased over the past few years due to concerns about school age players potentially having to leave home to play football interstate

So the question is: Is Hogan still studying?? If not he should be able to play.....

All my life I have watch the Demons trying to find talent. I thought Allen Jackovic to be the most talented and look what happened to him.

Hulk may have been good, but oo many have sat in the same company. I'll cheer when and If he reaches his best for and period longer than 5 years

Well that's just stupid really isn't it. So you'll sit in the stands and when 2019 comes around you'll let out a small hurrah. Try the here and now.

We're a bit on the nose in terms of pushing the rules. Let's not push our luck any further by arguing for Hogan's egibility. There are far worse apprenticeships than the one he will go through.

Think I answered my own question on Hogan's ineligibility

From the 2009 draft, players must be at least 18 years of age on 31 December in the year in which they are drafted, so that players who turn 18 during their first months of Year 12 will be able to finish studying without the pressure of AFL. This was increased over the past few years due to concerns about school age players potentially having to leave home to play football interstate

So the question is: Is Hogan still studying?? If not he should be able to play.....

We got him under a rule that allowed GWS to trade picks from a mini draft. This mini draft was for players that were still 17 at the end December 31 but hat a birthday between 1/1 till 30/4, Ie. they would've been allowed in the draft in 2008 but after that players of the same age weren't. When we traded it was understood he was not allowed to play matches this year.

Hogan has finished school and will play for Casey all year (injury permitting)

Perhaps he's studying the art of football at Casey College?

He should take the afl to court for constraint of trade (and conduct unbecoming)

Think I answered my own question on Hogan's ineligibility

From the 2009 draft, players must be at least 18 years of age on 31 December in the year in which they are drafted, so that players who turn 18 during their first months of Year 12 will be able to finish studying without the pressure of AFL. This was increased over the past few years due to concerns about school age players potentially having to leave home to play football interstate

So the question is: Is Hogan still studying?? If not he should be able to play.....

He's not, but the idea behind it is rather than have guys focussing on getting drafted, they're focussing on finishing Year 12.

It was an impressive debut. But Barry Predergast will tell you he's no Lucas Cook.

Not to forget Jimmy Toumpas.

Hogan is destined to be a superstar. I don't care that it's only one game in a NAB Cup format - his talent is just so bloody obvious.

I hope the club gives him a 10 year contract extension.

I'm more just talking those type of players that play with so much passion and courage, can bang and crash but still have skill. I'm VERY excited about Toumpas but I'm just talking those "pride" players.

Hogan, Clark and Dawes- how does an opposition back line match up on that? Throw in Howe and the odd cameo from Sylvia et all and you have a forward line that can compete with the Lyon era.

All we need is a small forward ala the Wizz and were unstoppable when the ball gets there.

Our next targets should be a dynamic small and a couple of classy hard midfielders. God I hope Trengove can recapture his junior form!

Hogan, Clark and Dawes- how does an opposition back line match up on that? Throw in Howe and the odd cameo from Sylvia et all and you have a forward line that can compete with the Lyon era.

All we need is a small forward ala the Wizz and were unstoppable when the ball gets there.

Our next targets should be a dynamic small and a couple of classy hard midfielders. God I hope Trengove can recapture his junior form!

Yep your right.

But what was it that was lacking from the Lyon Era?

We need to know & understand this so we can overcome our deeficiencies.

This time around, no mistakes, we've got 3 Yrs to get it right for our window to Open.

I couldn't care less about Hogan not being able to play till next year as we have a few forwards to weed through this year.

By years end, we'll know where Dawes, Pedo are Fitz are all at.

After this year we'll have more of an idea about our forward structure going into the future and I think Hogan will come in at the perfect time next year.

Obviously the kid can play, he reminded me a bit of Hurley the way he attacked the contest - but with more size, he is going to be a beast of a player.

There is no need to rush though, he is only young and has a long career ahead of him, it's great to have some aggressive forwards.

I haven't given up on Dawes either, he has a fair bit of Mongrel in him and I think him and Clark will work very well together.

Loved the use of the body to get space to take the mark then snap the goal.

I taped all four of the NAB Cup Under 18 championship games that Fox Footy presented in July last year including the two in which Hogan represented WA and I've kept them on the IQ (shows we didn't have much of value from last year worth keeping).

Suffice to say the lid was off the minute I laid eyes on this bloke and it's no wonder that North supporters were talking about him last night and comparing him with Wayne Carey. Now, I think that's a bit premature but only because he needs to have one further ingredient instilled into him and that is the "mongrel" factor (and I mean that in the nicest possible way as not including Carey's despicable past record of anti-social off field behaviour). I mean that if he can learn over the next 2 or 3 seasons to be tough and uncompromising in the way Carey played then blokes like Jack Viney, Jimmy Toumpas and he will help convert the weak culture instilled into the club over the past decade and make our team one to be feared for the future.

Well said Jack. Another David neitz I'd like to think, although Hogan is taller and I suspect faster. I think we have missed Neitz more than any other footballer in the last 10 years. Getting someone else like him will give us some backbone at last. I watched Hogan in the practice match at Casey very closely where I thought he beat Frawley pretty comfortably. What I really liked about him though was his engine off the ball. Truly Carey like. Yes we do have a gem here I suspect. The other thing I like about it is that hogan is 18, Dawes 24, and Clark 26. We should have 5-7 years of them heading up the forward line, and throw in Howe and Toumpas (who impressed greatly as a forward last night) it al goes well for the future. All we need now are some tough mid fielders....