Gator

I disagree on Melbourne's desire. In my view it's crystal clear that Melbourne are driving this. They could easily quash any talk of a trade, but it feels like to me the Dees are almost encouraging Hogan to explore his options. They've decided May is the missing piece that could secure a flag in 2019, they rate McDonald and Weideman as a forward combination, and think they can get adequate compensation from Freo. Just my take, but I think Melbourne are more 60-70% in their desire to do a deal on Hogan.

My take is that May wants the Dees, but can't show his hand until Hogan confirms he's seeking a trade to Freo. We'll know nothing about May's intentions until we know Hogan's.

As already pointed out to you, Jones was pushed out to a wing from round 16 onwards. Tyson can't replace a player in the "guts" if said player isn't playing in the guts.

Sure, but if you saw the post I quoted, and I assume you did, there's an inherent lack of trust or faith that the outcomes will be satisfactory. Why you and others seemingly feel this way is beyond me.

Why you and others don't have faith in Mahoney, Taylor, Viney, and co. is beyond me.

So your educated guess is that the outcome we will want is a pick we can use on May and perhaps a player such as another A. Brayshaw ? Or Cerra ?

Firstly, we don't know who will end up having the better career when it comes to Angus and Petracca and secondly no conclusions could be drawn between Andrew and Cerra even if we could. It's an irrelevant observation with no answer.

Either or.

I'd happily take Cerra off their hands, but what's wrong with a first round draft pick ? What's wrong with a combination of players (May, Kolodashnij, Preuss, etc.) and a quality pick ?

We have the whip hand and really should drive a hard bargain on Hogan. We're in the premiership window and if don't get what we need we keep him. Pick 5 and a future first would also be reasonable.

Good. Keep turning the list over.

Yeah, what would he know.

His manager stated "he won't be going to Melbourne because he doesn't like the role they have in mind for him". It's cut and dried - and over. But by all means, hang on to whatever you want to.

Melbourne haven't been in the hunt for weeks. I reported what his manager said, but for some reason people want to hold on to ill-considered hope that is predicated by nothing more than their imagination.

He's really torn. He's happy to stay at West Coast, but is under significant family pressure to come home. Connors' comment was that if he stays his family may be lukewarm towards him for a month, but they'll get over it. I suspect he'll come back and it will most certainly be to North, but it's not an easy decision for him.

Look, if it was actually funny ...

He's a genuine talent, but there's one thing I don't know enough about - his heart. If he has commitment and determination he'll be a great get. If he has attributes I associate with pea-hearts like Jack Watts then he won't. At this stage, I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt, because I've heard nothing that leads me to believe he's a half-dedicated footballer.

Dunno and don't really care. I don't too bogged down on draft picks. Under the circumstances I'm guessing around pick 35-40.

Yeah yeah. I'll back my eyes.

It's amusing. Most posters familiar with Kolodjashnij rate him and those who have to ask others or look up stats don't. If you have no clue about a player why proffer an opinion ?

He thinks he's being amusing.

If you don't know who they are chances are ....

Let the resident dopes on here think Kolodjashnij is just another average prospect. The bloke will be one of the most talented on our list and if he's over his concussions will be a revelation. .

And he's quick.

From article HS: Champion Data’s statistics show he is so much more than a last-line stopper, the 26-year-old a modern-day defender. In 2016 he was the third-best defender in the competition behind Alex Rance and ahead of Jeremy McGovern, losing just 14 of 71 one-on-ones for the entire year. This season Gold Coast haemorrhaged inside 50s, giving up five more than the next-worst side. He still found a way to contain most forwards apart from Josh Kennedy kicking four on him in Round 4 and Jack Riewoldt six on a day he shouldn’t have played because of those behind-the-scenes issues. The offensive stuff is what elevates him above the dime-a-dozen stoppers. This year he averaged 17.4 disposals (second-most for key defenders), 334 metres gained (second most for key defenders) as well 7.6 intercept possessions, three intercept marks and 6.8 spoils (all above average). Put him into an good side with quality players around him and you have a weapon at full back.