I'm a big fan of Howe's (shouldn't admit that, as a lot of those players seem to go or get injured!), and I saw 2014 as a learning curve for him. With Chips likely defection I think Roos took the opportunity to develop a different part to Howe's game (ie a defensive part). Getting him to play on forwards that were similar to him would've given him experience in positioning and also working his tank to a higher standard for when he needs to drop back.

I'm definitely seeing a return to the forward line for him for 2015. As for this last minute offer from GWS, someone said it earlier I think it was designed to destabilise and make him re-think his position long term at the club. Hopefully we put in an improving year and Jeremy also has a good year, you put those two together and I think it's unlikely he'll go anywhere else.

i just wonder whether the media have an unspoken rule that they must find one player at each club who is out of contract in the next season so they can fan stories about that player's future.

i just wonder whether the media have an unspoken rule that they must find one player at each club who is out of contract in the next season so they can fan stories about that player's future.

And watch on with glee as the supporter forums turn into chicken farms where heads are not a requirement.

Seems like GWS have achieved what they set out to do and upset the apple cart.

I can tell you as fact they offered Geelong the following:

2 top 10 picks for Steve Johnson (Cats rang Stevie J but he insisted he wanted to be a 1 club player)

2 top 10 picks for Steve Motlop

1 top 10 pick and a 2nd round pick for any of Duncan, Caddy or Stokes

1 top 10 pick and a 3rd round pick for Blicavs (the Cats really rate Blicavs and turned it down)

I can't believe after how many draft picks we shank that people still continue to over-value them so much.

Howe can play the game and play it well, I have no doubts about that. He was played in a completely foreign position to him last season and I thought he progressed well.

Even when we were in our darkest periods he still nearly kicked 30 goals playing in the forward line and is a contested mark machine.

He is durable with games (only missing one over the last couple seasons), is now quite flexible being able to play up and back and deep in each of these positions if need be with his incredible contested grabs and his speed on the turf when crumming and of course is a marketers dream.

Easily a starting 18 player and some people want to trade him for a speculative pick... again!

I actually like him down back but I would like to see him have the occasional run up forward when needed.

I was surprised last year when a few games were really tight at the death knell that he wasn't switched forward as that is perfect for a one time lob the ball high - take a screamer and kick a goal or two to win the game.

Ok I spoke to Howie at training this morning, told him what was going on in the media, he hadn't seen any of it, spent the morning just relaxing before training

The Pick 7 was on the table for him just before the end of Trading

He rejected the move, yes I asked his permission to post that here, he says to assure supporters he ain't going anywhere

i just wonder whether the media have an unspoken rule that they must find one player at each club who is out of contract in the next season so they can fan stories about that player's future.

undoubtedly

Thanks TDI !

I actually like him down back but I would like to see him have the occasional run up forward when needed.

I was surprised last year when a few games were really tight at the death knell that he wasn't switched forward as that is perfect for a one time lob the ball high - take a screamer and kick a goal or two to win the game.

im firmly of the opinion winning wasn't the priority. It was about thr FD ajudicating who was staying and who was going. Players had roles and were marked on how well they did them...sticking to the plan.

2015 will be about starting to win games

2015 will be about starting to win games

can there be any other rational plan?

can there be any other rational plan?

Its only rational when you have a team of footballers. ..a whole team

Jeremy is on the move you say? Is he coming to the Dees? He would be distracting to say the least.

Ok I spoke to Howie at training this morning, told him what was going on in the media, he hadn't seen any of it, spent the morning just relaxing before training

The Pick 7 was on the table for him just before the end of Trading

He rejected the move, yes I asked his permission to post that here, he says to assure supporters he ain't going anywhere

I don't mean to be rude, but do you expect Howe to say anything different?

I don't mean to be rude, but do you expect Howe to say anything different?

Hard to see how he could be more emphatic. I'm happy to take him at his word.

IMO He is an average footballer who takes the occasional unbelievable Mark.

I think at the right price he is a keep.

However in today's AFL he is trade able for the right deal.

It is just the world we now live in, I don't like this world

However I have no choice.

Exactly OD, for those saying he brings people through the gates or draws the kids in - you know what does that more than someone taking a hanger once a week? Winning football matches.

I don't mean to be rude, but do you expect Howe to say anything different?

I try to explain to posters on here, been chatting to the players for a few years, always treat them with respect, I asked him straight, after explaining the media coverage and the four pages on here, I respect what he told me, of course this does not mean in the future circumstances will change, I asked his permission to post his comment about knocking back the move and he told me to assure posters he has no intention of leaving.

As I put with Frawley, same with him, I don't believe he had decided to go any time during the season or when I asked him, this was all done post the season

I spent 10 minutes talking to Nev Jetta today, but respect what he tells me and not to repeat or post anything he wouldn't want me to

Edited November 14, 201410 yr by The Devil Inside

Exactly OD, for those saying he brings people through the gates or draws the kids in - you know what does that more than someone taking a hanger once a week? Winning football matches.

Interestingly Paul Roos and Jade Rawlings don't agree with yours or OD's assessment of Howie

Exactly OD, for those saying he brings people through the gates or draws the kids in - you know what does that more than someone taking a hanger once a week? Winning football matches.

I don't think anyone could single out Howe for not winning us matches however. As an individual he he has played some really good games within his short career.

My biggest beef is people wanting to trade out players before there peak and also before the chance of receiving the benefits of some wonderful coaching.

Here we have someone who in his first full year was 4th in the comp for total contested marks, 13th the next year while nearly kicking 30 goals and then last season showed some talent down back.

I think his efforts over his first couple years have been sound and his goal kicking and impact on games was improving each year until this year when he went back (which I believe will be a great assistance to him).

He's easily best 18 now and would be in most other teams in the comp as he has an incredible skill in his marking. Some here call him a one trick pony which may be nearly right but its a ripping trick to have!

Why we would roll the dice for more freaking draft picks is beyond me!

As I put with Frawley, same with him, I don't believe he had decided to go any time during the season or when I asked him, this was all done post the season

Not sure if serious?

If Howe had the chance to knock it back it meant that we agreed on the deal.

Not sure if serious?

Totally serious, I had him at Freo, until Hawthorn stepped at the last minute, which was after the Grand Final

I don't think anyone could single out Howe for not winning us matches however. As an individual he he has played some really good games within his short career.

My biggest beef is people wanting to trade out players before there peak and also before the chance of receiving the benefits of some wonderful coaching.

Here we have someone who in his first full year was 4th in the comp for total contested marks, 13th the next year while nearly kicking 30 goals and then last season showed some talent down back.

I think his efforts over his first couple years have been sound and his goal kicking and impact on games was improving each year until this year when he went back (which I believe will be a great assistance to him).

He's easily best 18 now and would be in most other teams in the comp as he has an incredible skill in his marking. Some here call him a one trick pony which may be nearly right but its a ripping trick to have!

Why we would roll the dice for more freaking draft picks is beyond me!

I don't believe I said I wanted to trade him deeko.

Just making the. Observation that all players are tradable in the 21 century of A F L.

I did say I would prefer to keep him.

Very much required, but I'm exhausted.

I'm spent - I used too much emotion on Chippa.

If Howe had the chance to knock it back it meant that we agreed on the deal.

The player has to agree to go, who wants to trade in someone who doesn't want to be there, the Club has always said it would look at anything offered, the goss I have is that is was Pick 7 and another one of their fringe players, maybe the club considered it a good deal