TeamPlayedFine39

This has got to be single most divisive thread I’ve ever read on here. Personally I’m torn and I see a lot of merit in what both sides have to say. My Head says ‘go’ my heart says ‘stay’...

Really surprised he hasn’t developed into a better player- thought he showed a lot of promise early and anticipated him developing into an outside wing/half-forward role.

Did some very smart thing in traffic this year that makes you realise he could develop into a pretty good player. Always seems to be thinking his way through things and never blazes away. Needs to show equal improvement in 2018!

Click-bait ‘journalism’ - and a lot of people bit. His boss would be telling him it was a job well done.

True. Pavlich was said to be heading home every year for the first decade of his career.

Could your source be Hogan’s Instagram..?

That’s the second time you’ve said Goodwin got rid of Howe. Howe left us, he asked for a trade and Roos was the senior coach when he departed.

Exactly. Have a quick flick through Instagram- players have dozens of ‘meetings’ with opposition players every offseason.

There is a tweet that Hogan met Fyfe on Tuesday and there is no detail in the tweet or article about the content of their discussion, length of ‘meeting’ or even the location. The article states that Hogan is happy at Melbourne and has not given any indication that he wants to leave, it also states that he wants to play out his career at Melbourne. The article states his manager has said he’s staying and Mahoney has said he’s not up for trade. How is this a ‘huge development’??? Why are we even talking about this???

Through the tears I recall he was let go due to his back injury and we had too many long term injured players on the list- Schwartz, Lyon, Tingay, etc. I could be wrong - he came back after a year out and played for Footscray. Regardless, I was shattered.

So... did anyone attend or know of someone who did???

Takes me back to when we delisted Jakovich.

Was enjoying himself at the races today. Not sure he’s as homesick as the media and Fremantle would want us to believe.

He was delisted today... the Crows showed him very little loyalty...

If anyone's ever wondered why so many good players have left... we're getting an insight into the reason.

Fast becoming, if not already, my favourite player. Love the way he goes about it- tough, exciting and damaging. Started the year in amazing form, but stuttered a bit following the concussion in Adelaide. Key component to out team going forward in the future.

Howe walked away from the club and requested a trade to Collingwood. It was Roos that first played him in defence and he performed very well down there. Buckley got him to Collingwood with the promise of playing him forward. Roos got the best out of Howe and now with three years of playing in defence, he's short listed for All Australian.

I'm a big fan and for someone his age, size and level of experience, I would have thought we'd all be super excited to have him on the list. He is a polarising figure and it honestly feels like some people are watching a different match to the one in front of me. I'm excited - O'Mac's developing into a very good KPD,

I think you may be overrating the three players Essendon are chasing (and they still need to get the three trades done). I'd take Lever over any of those three, or even a combination.

I would think that recruiters are tracking players for years coming into their U18 year. It is fraught with danger drafting a highly rated junior who has missed most of the U18 year. I remember that the end of 2008 people were beside themselves talking up the 1,2 and 3 of the next draft Scully, Lucas and Butcher. Things can change quickly with these kids.

Missed five months of football, including the carnival with an ancle injury. He was a very highly regarded junior with a significant injury in his draft year - much like Jake Lever and Jake Stringer. http://m.afl.com.au/news/2015-11-23/1-day-to-the-draft-meet-imposing-key-forward-and-grandson-of-pies-legend-sam-weideman

He played no football in his under 18 year and is physically under developed for a KPF. I'm of the belief that rather than not reading the ball in flight, he is moved of it too easily by mature defenders. Needs time in the gym; another 10kg and a stronger core will help him a lot. Realistically, he shouldn't have played the early rounds this year- especially with Hogan out- hes a kid, and played like it. Will be hoping for him to feature in the second halo of 2018, if not, then it's the time to get concerned.

It's certainly not what Adelaide were hoping to get, but are they really willing to turn down pick 10 and 27, lose Lever AND get nothing at all in return? Is that an inconceivably hollow threat??

He was flying in to check out the facilities...

I don't understand Adelaide's gameplan here... the best thing that can possibly happen for them is if Lever says he's willing to possibly consider a different Victorian club to get his old club a better deal. Any chance of any good faith from the Lever camp is now shot to hell by the aggressive attitude of every official and players who comments have been made public. If they ever wonder why quality players are leaving their club, look to their attitudes and player relationships.