Demonland

THE TRADING CHRONICLES 2018 Whispering Jack PART TWO - NO CHOICE There was a time before he even played a single game at AFL level that Jesse Hogan was regarded as the player who would lift Melbourne from the bottom of the ladder. He’s been at the club since he was selected in the 2012 mini-draft but circumstances caused him to wait two seasons before making his AFL debut. He achieved Rising Star status in 2015, kicked more than 40 goals in three of his four seasons, had his disappointments with injuries, illness and personal issues with the loss of his father and yet, Hogan the Saviour seemed forever absent for the club’s most triumphant moments. Hogan is now a Docker after the Demons traded him for national draft picks 6 and 23 on the final day of the AFL's trade period. This is despite the fact that he was contracted to Melbourne for 2019 and would have earned good money. There’s no doubting his quality as a footballer but he wanted to go home and the likelihood remained high that he might be gone after another season filled with unwelcome distractions of an uncertain future at the club. And not for the first time. When expectations are high for the future after making it to a Preliminary Final, full commitment to the cause beyond the now is paramount. In the end, there was no choice. Moving on to the future, the three players introduced to the Melbourne Football Club have the attributes of commitment, willingness to work hard and the ability to fill needs. Former Gold Coast co-captain Steven May, a hard-at-it defender has a five year contract. The skillful Kade Kolodjashnij who brings run and carry to the table and mature ruckman Braydon Preuss both join the club with three year deals. There is no certainty in the business of sport but Melbourne appears to have done well in a trade period that also saw it upgrade its draft position to a point where it now has two picks in the 20s. There is still a lot to do at the draft table, some rookie upgrades and possible acquisition of delisted free agents to fill the eight vacant places on the club’s lists. Where does this all leave the Melbourne Football Club? Age journalist Peter Ryan summed up the Demons’ trade period in At a glance: Assessing each club's 2018 AFL trade period when he wrote “At a glance: Going for the flag”. Of course, it’s too early to make a reasoned analysis of the trade period because the outcome is never determined in the moment. Time will tell for all clubs and in 2018 there were so many different agendas and strategies. There were clubs that used it to dump the burden of high salaries, some wanted better draft position while others aimed to fulfill certain needs. In the end 42 players changed clubs by way of trades but by draft time at the end of November, there will be many more new faces at every club. The completed trades - Trade Tracker

He's there. Just not tall enough to make it in the frame.

The banner will have some new faces in 2019 and some updates of some current ones. Our shadowed friend was going to be one of the new ones but Jesse's departure necessitated an early arrival.

Love it. Would have preferred capitals but I'll take it.

2 Daisys?

I think that would happen without Jesse leaving us for them. It would just be a matter of the amount of kilotons used in the warhead.

There were many times after losses that I really didn't want to front up on a Wednesday night. Thanks for everyone's kind words about the interview and the show throughout the year. The Demonland Podcast will return after the Draft. Hopefully we can get either Jason Taylor again or someone else to get their thoughts behind the picks.

You can download and subscribe to the Demonland Podcast on iTunes here: https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/demonland-podcast/id1220844996?mt=2 You can download and subscribe to the Demonland Podcast on Android here: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cDovL2RlbW9ubGFuZC5jb20vcG9kL0RlbW9ubGFuZF9Qb2RjYXN0LnhtbA%3D%3D You can search Demonland Podcast on any other Podcast catching apps on iOs or Android devices 

We'll be LIVE in 15 minutes with our Peter Jackson interview. Listen and Chat: http://demonland.com/podcast Call: 03 9016 3666 Skype: Demonland31 We'd love to hear your thoughts on all of our trades from about 9pm.

Just a reminder that we will be LIVE with our interview with Peter Jackson at 8:30pm Listen and Chat: http://demonland.com/podcast Call: 03 9016 3666 Skype: Demonland31 We'd love to hear your thoughts on all of our trades from about 9pm.

I think you'll feel differently once he runs out on the G in Round 1.

Let me consult my Magic 8 ball and get back to you. ?

Will you feel the same way if May were to win a Norm Smith in a winning Granny a la Brian Lake?

And won a Norm Smith.

Sorry wanted to go home.