Gator

I don't think missing an entire year (bar one game) with back issues helped Hogan's development though. He was just a gun straight off, as his B&F from 11 completed games as an 18 year old for Casey showed.

He's 190cm and they see him as a wing/half-back runner with his accurate left foot. Mahoney said this morning he'll become part of the midfield rotation.

How is giving up one first round pick and having pick 13 slide to pick 20 paying more than receiving picks 6 and 23 ? It's a flawed way of thinking anyway. What you pay for something is irrelevant to the market when you go to sell it six years later.

Fantastic. And just the type you want to run on to a ground with. We're building a seriously tough team.

What a rubbish post.

Throwing in pick "65" is a "kick in the teeth" ? Amusing

Let's not forget that a captain of another club has joined the Dees. When did that last happen ? Was Ditterich captain when he came to the Dees ? This is significant. Don't underestimate the calibre of people we're bringing in. Tough bastard too.

I'd spend the next 3 years planting the seeds of a return. It's a different landscape and he'll hate being the centre of attention in a small town over the next few years. I know it's a silly thought, but I don't care.

What would you have done ?

It was his choice to go. Hard to keep a player that wants out. You do the best you can in that situation.

Again... It means he plays his last game under this contract as a 31 year old, not 32. You know, the same age Lake arrived at Hawthorn.

But K2 was better.

Brian Lake played his first game for Hawthorn as a 31 year old. Played in 3 flags.

I do just want to say that unlike nearly all players that leave Melbourne I will have a large soft spot for Hogan. I think he's definitely wired differently to some, who wouldn't be so concerned being away from family and friends. but he's a hugely talented and smart footballer. I wish him well.

Like Hawthorn, who in my opinion paid ridiculous overs for Wingard, we're a net outcomes based club who just gets deals done. I remember when Hawthorn gave up picks 9 and 16 for a 27 year old Burgoyne (got back 24 and 40), who supposedly had a knee that was "bone on bone". Hawthorn supporters were livid. He's still playing 10 years later and bagged another 3 flags. Hogan is immature with concerns re off-field issues and that doesn't help you at the negotiation table, especially when the circus would just continue next year. More importantly, just when we became the club he hoped we'd become he bailed. No problem, but that demonstrates to me he doesn't bleed for a flag. Our list now has never been more balanced in my time watching them. May will be a gun in a good team and make life a hell of a lot easier for Lever and Oscar. And if Kolodjashnij can get his body right, and in turn confidence, we've got another very highly talented player on our hands. Btw, pick 23 in a good draft is nothing to sneeze at. Taylor can recruit a 150+ game player with a pick of that nature. All things considered, in my opinion we've improved the list. But I do rate Weideman more than some on here. At 21 he has so much improvement left it's not funny. By the way @Baghdad Bob, there's disappointment and the usual addle-pates that would never know a good deal if it slapped them in the face.

Here, use this...

Hey, @EnterTheDragon, seriously mate, you couldn't read a phone book. ?

I'd like to play poker with you. Can anyone misread a situation so badly ?

I didn't always think this, but seemingly it was always going to happen. I'm happy to draw the curtain this year and move on.

My "gut feel" is very different to Range Rover's. 80/20 he'll be in purple next year.

I wonder how many of those poster who don't rate May wanted to play Pedersen every week and were livid when Watts was put on the market ? I'm guessing strong correlations. ?

But May is naturally offensive while at the same time a very good negator. He's also 27 and 102KG. He won't get shifted like Oscar is occasionally. It will be interesting how they're used.

The notion of FB and CHB has changed. May gets the no.1 key forward, Oscar (or Frost) gets the next tall/resting ruck, and Lever is the intercept.

No, it's not. Pick 5 and 23 is BETTER than what we paid for him. We gave up one first rounder - pick 3. Our pick 13 then slid to pick 20.

Due to Olisik's incorrect assertions it seems I also have to post this here. A few things... I doubt you know that every one of those goals was kicked on May. In fact, I know you don't, because Kennedy kicked 4 on him and Riewoldt 6. And key defenders are only as good as team structures and the quality of their midfield. You think May is slow when speed is one of his biggest strengths. This clearly tells me you have no clue about the player you're criticising. The following is from a recent article: In 2016 he (May) 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. 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. They (Melbourne) get Jake Lever back at some stage and improved their defensive mix late, but still were the fourth-easiest side to score against across the entire season. Slot him in alongside Lever and Max Gawn becomes an offensive threat again instead of being forced to play as a seventh defender at times as well as a ruckman. To sum up, Olisik, you're welcome to your opinion, but it's hopelessly misinformed.