FAREWELL JEREMY HOWE

[What 18,810]

when was the last time he turned a game for us? When was the last time he was a match winner?

Never and never

[Wiseblood 24,637]

Never and never

Exactly.

I know not every team will have 22 match winners but he clearly hasn't done a great deal in 100 games. He is easily replaceable.

Some might say his marks put bums in the seats... but we have Hogan for that now. Fans will turn up to watch him among others. Howe is expendable.

[Middymalt 244]

I disagree. His manager outlined that Howe wants to play in a settled position, whether that be up forward or on a wing, and thinks he would be a more consistent player if he was allowed to do so. I think Howe genuinely loves the club, but doesn't think he can get the best out of himself under the current FD. The money issue is secondary IMO.

Money is an issue and always has been , I think Hawks have rang his manager and he will probably play there for380 k but with us he wants 500 k move the laconic no chaser on if he goes to the hawks for 400 k the AFL have a major problem on there hands Edited October 9, 2015 by Middymalt

[Fat Tony 5,268]

It sounds to me like he doesn't like playing in defence (which is his best position).

[praha 11,240]

So if 600k offer is [censored], I suspect it is in the 350-400k range. Melbourne must then be lowballing in the 175-200k range.

It's clear that Melbourne is planning ahead and is looking to improve its salary positioning, whether it's to help this year or for a free agent next season. But it's clear that he won't be at Melbourne next year.

TBH I think I'd rather him stay at Melbourne, but if the club is cutting its loss in an effort to free up cap space, then they better make something of it.

[The Chazz 4,077]

I just thank him for confirming I can read people's body language.

I lost it the ability to when I was adamant all year that $cully would stay.

I regained some of it back when I was adamant all year that Frawley was going to Hawthorn.

I've been saying all year that I was adamant that Howe was gone, and it is fast looking I was right.

He has the greatest trade value on our list when comparing to the onfield return. We just have/had to get a trade done this year to improve.

[beelzebub 23,383]

I was in the 'don't want to lose him' camp for most of the year.

I wasn't. .and you present below why:

However... when was the last time he turned a game for us? When was the last time he was a match winner? Yes he kicked a goal to put us in front against the Saints, but he had done very little up to that point.

Outside of taking a high mark what does he bring to the table? His disposal is ok and he has improved defensively but as a forward he has been poor for a few years.

If he goes then he goes. If the club were keen to keep him and believed he was a large part of our plans then our offer would have been better. If a club is offering close to double what we did then obviously the club is pretty happy to see him go.

Also, to me, this opens up the club to further moves and more salary cap space. We may be able to up an offer for someone we've had our eye on or get some more deals done quickly. I'll miss his high marking but not much else.

[Its Time for Another 4,290]

Other than about 8 players on the list I don't mind who goes as long as they are replaced with someone better. Therefore only be happy about him going if someone better comes in. Doubt we'll know the answer until 12pm 22 Oct.

[Little Goffy 14,643]

I don't hate Howe, I think he's a decent AFL player with room to improve, and I'd be fine with him playing on with us.

But it does look like we'll get good value in compensation, if he does go. And the he, or he through his manager, has handled it all makes me feel there is no need to feel any sense of attachment or loyalty.

I just hope it all gets resolved quickly and we can move on to more interesting trades, knowing what we have to offer.

[Gator 17,474]

Howe's not a competitor, has never played one 4 quarter game and always tries to mark from behind, which is hopeless for a forward.

As a football club we're moving beyond Howe types.

[H_T 3,049]

So if 600k offer is [censored], I suspect it is in the 350-400k range. Melbourne must then be lowballing in the 175-200k range.

It's clear that Melbourne is planning ahead and is looking to improve its salary positioning, whether it's to help this year or for a free agent next season. But it's clear that he won't be at Melbourne next year.

TBH I think I'd rather him stay at Melbourne, but if the club is cutting its loss in an effort to free up cap space, then they better make something of it.

I doubt very much Melbourne must be lowballing in the $175-$200K range. That is well below the average. I'd say more likely around the $240-$280K. Still below what other offers are out there. Hence his interest elsewhere. Melbourne shouldn't baulk at paying overs given his returns when there's an opportunity to improve the list.

[rjay 25,092]

However... when was the last time he turned a game for us? When was the last time he was a match winner? Yes he kicked a goal to put us in front against the Saints, but he had done very little up to that point.

To be fair there are not many AFL players that turn a game...only the real champions do this and take the rest with them.

Ablett, Judd,

[Little Richard 6,265]

We did.

That's why they got to talk to Howe and couldn't convince him to come in the 2 hours left in Trade Week...

Interesting. I was under the impression that the club had the power to send him across if he decided to accept the deal, with the player having no say (unless out of contract). Is that not the case?

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

To be fair there are not many AFL players that turn a game...only the real champions do this and take the rest with them.

Ablett, Judd,

HOGAN

We have one now too.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

He isn't a free agent... there is NO compensation in this WHAT so ever. How do people NOT understand how this works?

My biggest frustration.

Also, people think that just because a player nominates a club he will automatically get there. Yes, it happens a lot but it is not guaranteed and don't get me started on managers making statements about what a player is worth in a trade.

[beelzebub 23,383]

Again this idea of 'hating' players sneaks in.

I dont hate him. Why would I.

I just dont rate Howe that much. A pretty ordinary player who is a part time airline.

Bit of a half hearted one way runner who I fail to se being part of any finals playing mfc 22..so why keep him ? Especially if we can get a decent return off loading him.

Win win for mine

[beelzebub 23,383]

Howes manager is just playing his time honoured game of bullshlt spruiking.

Take little of what ANYONE says....just what they sign !!

[rjay 25,092]

HOGAN

We have one now too.

I suspect he will in the future...

[Its Time for Another 4,290]

Interesting. I was under the impression that the club had the power to send him across if he decided to accept the deal, with the player having no say (unless out of contract). Is that not the case?

What are you trying to say. They are two opposite things. He accepts the deal.........the player having no say.

Club can't force a player to go anywhere. If they are contracted they have the right to stay where they are or like Evans last year have their full contract paid out and go in the draft. The Club can't for them to change Clubs. If they agree to a trade then they can be traded but not against their will.

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,939]

Howe's just spoken with a vic side who's just finished finals.

Must be Hawthorn.

Howe for hawthorn's future second round draft pick.

[rpfc 28,779]

Interesting. I was under the impression that the club had the power to send him across if he decided to accept the deal, with the player having no say (unless out of contract). Is that not the case?

Not sure what the bolded means - seems contradictory - but players can veto all trades and stay on their contract or, if OOC, go into either the ND or the PSD.

We accepted ND7 for Howe but they couldn't convince him to make a life altering decision in an afternoon - it is the kind of hamfisted trade attempt that makes we worried who is in charge up there at GWS.

[The Chazz 4,077]

Howe's just spoken with a vic side who's just finished finals.

Must be Hawthorn.

Howe for hawthorn's future second round draft pick.

What, Pick 36?

We'd be better off asking for their 2016 first round pick, which will highly likely be around the 16-18 range. That'd be fairer value.

[beelzebub 23,383]

Not sure what the bolded means - seems contradictory - but players can veto all trades and stay on their contract or, if OOC, go into either the ND or the PSD.

We accepted ND7 for Howe but they couldn't convince him to make a life altering decision in an afternoon - it is the kind of hamfisted trade attempt that makes we worried who is in charge up there at GWS.

wasnt SOS still thete then ?

[Little Richard 6,265]

What are you trying to say. They are two opposite things. He accepts the deal.........the player having no say.

Club can't force a player to go anywhere. If they are contracted they have the right to stay where they are or like Evans last year have their full contract paid out and go in the draft. The Club can't for them to change Clubs. If they agree to a trade then they can be traded but not against their will.

Not sure what the bolded means - seems contradictory - but players can veto all trades and stay on their contract or, if OOC, go into either the ND or the PSD.

We accepted ND7 for Howe but they couldn't convince him to make a life altering decision in an afternoon - it is the kind of hamfisted trade attempt that makes we worried who is in charge up there at GWS.

Typo, I intended to write 'we', as in the club. Thanks for the clarification!

Edited October 9, 2015 by Django

[DeeSpencer 26,082]

Howe wants to be Jack Gunston. Using his endurance and repeat speed to get up the ground on to the wings.

Roos is happy to play him at half back where he can play off a man and intercept mark. Jeremy obviously doesn't like that.

It is what it is. You can't play guys where they aren't getting a kick but players can't dictate positions.

He'll definitely be more successful in a team with better ball movement and spread but I have big doubts about his ability to compete as a forward, just as Roos obviously does.

He's gone. I hope whatever we get in a trade is enough to help us bring in a chunk of Melksham/Bugg/Kennedy and still have useful picks in the draft.