TeamPlayedFine39

No match payments whilst injured would have been a big financial hit, and we'd be giving him another whack as he'd get none of them in a settlement. Collin would have played senior games this year; most likely would have played round one given our kpd stocks at the time. And whilst we don't owe anyone a game, we should honour contracts, particularly of those who are veterans of the club and are coming off a serious injury.

Agreed, but it would be rare for that to happen whilst contracted. Generally speaking, AFL footballers love playing AFL football; and you're a long time retired. I can't imagine why Garland would want to retire, with a year to go on his contract, from a team on the verge of finals, after toughing out the last decade?? However if retirement's what he really wants - then that's his decision. Coercion from the club is unfair after taking him off the free agency table with a 3 year contract.

You don't get full pay upon retirement though... and the career you've worked towards your entire life towards is over.

Re Garland... Why are so may of the belief that a 29 yo, contracted, KPD would retire?? Has he given any indication that is anything other than committed to rehabbing and getting back to playing? Those advocating for a us to delist him; I think delisting a contracted, long term servant of the club, after he's missed a season due to serious injury would be unconscionable.

So if I were to say we're a 3 goal better team, then essentially we agree..? I will add though that to say any player who is regularly picked to play AFL only plays well %10 of the time is disingenuous. If that were actually the case, he should be delisted immediately.

Agree to disagree on his early season form, but I'm now leaning towards your thinking about a possible trade.

I am no clearer in my mind about what sort of a player he is going to be. He's shown that he can be an athletic, high endurance, accumulating CHF in the mould of Nick Riewoldt, he's shown he is capable of being the rough and powerful, beast-like power forward in the mould of Jonathan Brown and he has shown the ability to be lethal and creative when the ball hits the turf, in the mould of Jeremy Cameron. But so far immaturity, attitude, injury, health and significant off-field issues have interrupted his development. And no stage this year did his contested marking get up and going, which was his absolute strength two years ago. His best game this season against Port, saw most of his goals coming from spilled marks. He doesn't seem to play the same role two weeks in a row, which goes a small way to explaining why I can't nail down exactly what sort of a player Jesse Hogan is. For mine, he should be played as a traditional CHF and seek to model himself on Riewoldt. He needs to use his endurance to move along the wings and swing into the forward 50 like Saint Nick did in his heyday. This however requires fitness that goes beyond natural ability and a desire to run and work yourself into the ground on match day. Too often Hogan appears to be anchored to the ground in the forward 30. This year, with all its short comings, was about much more than footy for Jesse. No one can hold him responsible for anything that didn't play out on the field as it should have. It's sobering to consider that even if we did make the finals, Jesse wouldn't be playing due to a hamstring injury in the final round. Terrible year in every sense of the word. So much to look forward to in the future.

This would certainly free him up to pursue other interests and take other opportunities, without having t seek the permission of his full time employer. The downside being a loss of full time employee benefits: holidays, sick leave, long service, etc.

That is a Bradman-like differential! Almost double the next best.

Might be trying to off load only one of them and it could possibly be for the pick they're looking for, not the money. Would be strange to trade Salem after just re-signing him... (I thought you couldn't trade a player in their first year of contract... or did i imagine that..??)

Who are they..? If we can talk so openly about Lever, why not them..?

Wonder if they literally mean two first round picks or if the mean pick 10, plus another first round pick. Could we, for example, trade down our pick 10 to pick 17 before we forward it to Adelaide with next years..??

If that could be negotiated down to 10 & 45 for Lever, we'd be laughing.

I think our Football Department staff should stare at a picture of Scott Thompson for three minutes without blinking, before entering into any negotiations. The football world hasn't played fair with the MFC in the past, we're under no obligation to pay more than we absolutely have to for Lever.

Read this morning that Brad Green has been moved on as an assistant coach at Nth. Had been on the coaching team at Carlton before that.

Honestly, I'd agree with you for every coach in the league but him. How he got a contract extension would have to be completely unprecedented in professional sport!

Would not include either of those with pick 10- especially not Hunt.

UNDERSTANDING RICKY NIXON TWEETS....

Connors can say what he likes - he isn't Lever's manager.

Petracca didn't make the team as he was classified as a midfielder, despite playing 90% of the year at half forward. As a forward he walks it it; as a mid, not so much...

He is, but his signing was hardy 'HUGE' at the time. If we land Lever it'll be the first time in god knows how long that a top line player picks us.

When was the last time we traded in a top 50 player? Hibberd certainly wasn't top 50 when we signed him...

Buckley just re-signed but I agree with Lyon- he's in strife.

He's an inside mid who made a very good impression in a very poor midfield.

I think you more or less answer your own questions; you look for the little glimpse or two when a player is young and raw. While nothing's guaranteed, Weed has the right attitude to be a good power forward once his fitness and conditioning improve. He hits the packs hard, seeks to meet the ball at its highest point, tackles well and isn't lost when the ball hits the ground - if anything, he looks to handball too often. The problem being at the moment - he's not solid enough to move others off the ball and he's not fit enough to offer the repeat leads that a forward need at senior level.