SaberFang

Curious why he isn't being placed on the LTI if his setback has been drastic? A good sign or simply nobody worth elevating?

Well he's had a setback so I'm guessing we won't see him in the 4 to 6 week window. I just want to see him debut, but the club would be idiotic to take ANY risks with him. If there's a shred of doubt, I want him coated in bubble wrap and ready to fire for the preseason 2015. Remember Hawkins spent much of last year with serious back injuries and wound his way back. Hogan's younger and more virile; he will too.

Our focus will definitely be on interstate players who can't get regular games, and originate from Victoria. The money alone won't bring talent to our club because we're so far away from a respectable club at this stage. More Michies, more Tysons, more seasoned veterans in the outs of their current clubs (due to youth playing policies).

Can the club not just hunt down and bring in a world leader on back injuries like this and get a more scientific diagnosis? If the club doctors can't work out what's going on, spend any money we have spare to bring in an expert, internationally if necessary.

No alcohol that I noticed, but I was distracted double taking Chip and Howey!

Except there's zero point in keeping a disgruntled player on your list. Admittedly Hogan has very little bargaining power (especially having not played a game), so IF he wants to go his only hope is an agreeable trade. He won't risk the PSD because he'd end up back with us. We would not give him up lightly though, and Freo/WC would bend over backwards to make the deal worth our while. This kid is a ten-year untapped superstar.

Probably not, because playing the Dees would be perceived as the equivalent of playing a VFL side and low-risk. Not fair, but deserved given our form.

I'd be pretty devastated if Hogan refused to re-sign with us and demanded to go home, considering it seems like season 2014 is a write off. If he has fractured vertabrae, he will not be anywhere near a game this year.

If Dawes and JKH can knock on Roosy's office all week demanding selection, you can bet his protege from way back at the Swans will have his foot in the door all week. What better way to debut than against the foolish folk who delisted him. Makes me excited for Bulldogs v Dees and the Daniel Cross factor. If you think Crossy is going hard at the moment, just wait.

I'm fairly sure Roos and Watts would have had a stern discussion Monday about the non negotiables. If we see that performance again this week, he's as good as dropped IMO.

How would it affect our free agency compo for Frawley if we signed him?

Weren't they going to bake him captain to force his hand and prevent him from returning home?

I suppose one positive in all this is he got to spend a full year developing at VFL level, which is exactly what Roos wants for development of new players. Just means he will come back even more of a skilled superstar-in-waiting when he finally plays.

Well speak of the devil, just saw him out for dinner with two Dees superstars... South Yarra/Richmond is clearly the place to be for Dees players because I've seen about ten this year! Anyway, I think Bail will improve out of sight in the next few years, and I think Roos sees a lot of potential in him.

Goodes hasn't played in 11 months. Surely at his age he'd be quite rusty for a few quarters.

Everyone in football knows, Roos most of all, that nobody could turn around this club in a 2 year window. It'll take the best part of this season to get even close to where we were pre-Neeld. There'll be plenty more "games that got away" like GC before this season's over.

I'd be shocked if Roos hadn't already talked with him. Perfect fit and almost exactly same situation as Cross was last year. Plus the go home factor leading into his retirement, with very few other clubs showing much interest I'd guess.

On a semi related note, what happens in 2 years when Farmer's first son is eligible for the draft? Assuming he inherited his dad's magic? 100+ games for both the Dees and Freo, but would guess we'll finish lower on the ladder than Freo in 2016.

He's playing forward because, without him, our forward line can't win games. Especially with Clark gone and Hoges injured. We're taking a hit defensively without him in defence though. Hopefully once Hogan comes in we can experiment a little more with the forwards. JKH/Dawes/Hogan would be an interesting combination. Speed, height and bulk.

Buddy moron. You literally can't write this stuff... and it's only the first six months! Would love to know what Roosy thinks of all this.

I'd pay his asking price if his form as a forward continues to improve.

I think it'll be another healthy mix of players Roos has identified at other top 6 clubs that can't make it into their team's top 22, offering them a chance to play every week in the ones at the Dees. Couple that with a pay rise and the go home factor, and we'll nab a few gems. That's how we landed Michie and Tyson.

Doesn't take much to read between the lines about why nobody even wanted him when his manager shopped him around. Far too much trouble for what he's worth.

On the bright side, if he plays 9 games or less this year, it gives him 23 bonus chances next season to become the NAB Rising Star.

We can win almost any game if our players are disciplined and clean, tackle heavily, and hold possession without being easily pressured. Big asks but the mindset of the playing group must be that every single game is winnable with the right amount of effort.