Gator

I'm still not convinced it's over, but if it is so be it. I'm left with the feeling that Hogan really is a strange unit. He came to the Dees at our lowest ebb. He sat in the stands and saw 2013. He's seen us evolve and grow into a prelim team and just when we're on the precipice of long-term success he wants to go to a bottom 6 team during his prime years. Not only is Hogan a strange cat I wonder if he's as thick as a brick. I wonder what drives him. Maybe he's not the competitive beast I'd hoped for. Clearly, he doesn't crave a flag. If 5 and 23 is on the table between now and Wednesday I'd personally do the deal. Unlike some others I think May would structurally make us complete and almost the flag favourite in 2019. I've been a massive Hogan fan, but he seems NQR to me.

You need to retrain how your brain works. Tyson is purely an inside mid. He's behind Oliver, Viney, Brayshaw, and Harmes, which is why he was pushed out to a wing. If we had a decent outside runner he wouldn't have been playing finals. Kolodjashnij will make life even tougher next year. If Gawn goes down we're cactus. Being able to secure a young ruck entering his prime years is a massive coup. We couldn't get better insurance.

Unlike @DeeSpencer I don't think it's a tactically smart offer. Unless, of course, Melbourne are fools and I don't think they are. It's never smart in a negotiation to make an offer that the vendor doesn't even need to consider. Never make an offer that is so easily dismissed it doesn't warrant thought. You may think it's clever, but it's not and it invariably weakens your position.

The view that the club should wait one more year for May and get him for free doesn't wash with me. Firstly, there's no guarantee he'll still want the Dees in a year's time. Things change. Secondly, I want to win the flag in 2019. We're right in the window to win and May improves our chances. Improve the list. Improve the balance of the best 22. And do it now.

If we get 5 and 11 I'd personally offer pick 11 and Frost. Frost will become somewhat superfluous with May and Lever back in 2019 along with a developing Petty. Some supporters love Frost, but I'd do the deal if it kept pick 5. And how many picks to the Suns need ? They need mature players, not pick after pick of kids that may leave in 3 years. But I doubt my scenario will happen.

Melbourne will trade pick 5 for May. I'm looking forward to the meltdowns.

I'd argue that a dogmatic ruthless approach is the club's decision to basically push Hogan out the door to better balance the list in its quest for a premiership in 2019. I'll wait to see the end trade and then form a conclusion as to how well we negotiated.

Jayden Hunt was lucky May backed off before the finish line. Where does this BS groupthink come from ?

There's a propensity on here (and elsewhere) to denigrate every journo who utters something that supporters don't like. It's very childish. And even the most clueless journo knows more than just about every individual who posts here.

May turns 28 in 2020. You mean we're already there ?

Is Gaff still coming ?

Yes, some can read the tea leaves.

Firstly, it's "they're". Secondly, I have no clue why you directed this silly post at me.

You're not reading the tea leaves here very well.

We spent the weekend trying to convince the uncontracted vandenBerg to stay. We haven't been trying to talk the contracted Hogan into staying. The difference is palpable. We want May and are happy to say goodbye to Hogan.

You're either confused or unhinged. What lies ? And what leader at our club had no idea about what ? Everything I reported was true. Even down to it being a 50/50 decision between Gaff staying or going to North. The Dees were ruled out weeks ago.

There was zero reason for him not to be honest in the forum he was in. But look mate, believe what you want.

Clearly I rate Hogan more than you. We can agree to differ.

Nick Bowen reporting on Twitter Gaff is in the process of telling the appropriate people he's staying. Story up soon on AFL.COM.AU

In an injury interrupted year last year Hogan kicked 3 against both Port (finalist) and the eventual premier Richmond. Key forwards reach their peak at 26, not 23. It's self-serving nonsense to suggest Hogan can't perform against top 8 teams.

At the end of the day it matters little. He's either read the writing on the wall or the club has been very honest at his exit meeting. What's the difference ?

It's obvious Tyson has been told by the club to check out other options. Tyson isn't driving this. When your club suggests you seek out other possibilities it makes it pretty hard to stay. His manager will be doing all in his power to get a reasonable deal elsewhere.

Harmes is only going to get better. Imagine training all summer with the inside mids. Jones is ordinary out on a wing. I think 2019 could be his last. I'd be amazed if 2020 isn't. Tyson is hopeless out on a wing. I'm happy for Tyson to stay as depth on the inside, but if I'm Tyson I'm not staying. But if Tyson is a stupid person he may be happy to.

Hate to be in the trenches with old Cell.

I think things have shifted.