Gator

Gerard Healy had a superb debut year for Melbourne as an 18 year old.

It's everything. The size, pace, agility, aggression, skill, and best of all he makes really good decisions in a split second. It's great to see a player with such footy nous.

They'll all be regulars by round 3/4. Their all best 22 now. Their best footy will come after the age of 24.

I'm not sure of Petracca's pace. My Brother doesn't think it's explosive, but he's quick enough and just so powerful. He's also an elite mark. The comment was that despite his 186cm, he could play full forward and kick plenty of goals. He also noted that he certainly isn't a lazy trainer. He's fully switched on.

My Brother told me this afternoon that he'd pay to watch Petracca train (he was at Gosch's today) and that he's the most exciting talent he's seen come to Melbourne since Jakovich. Best of all, they're all different and will complement each other. Petracca, Oliver, Brayshaw and Viney will be as good as it gets in 4 years time.

You can still get $15 at Sportbet.com.au

Some people are self effacing. You're reading too much into his comments (I know you're being jovial).

Are you really using the Lions as the poster club for retaining talent ? Yeo, Docherty, Aish, Redden, Polec ring a bell ? Also, you're aware Zorko was coming out of contract at the end of 2016 and Hogan is coming out end of 2017 ? And you're familiar with an article in the HS last year stating "Dayne Zorko in no rush to extend his contract past 2016 as rumours of unrest persist" ? http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/brisbane/dayne-zorko-in-no-rush-to-extend-his-contract-past-2016-as-rumours-of-unrest-persist/news-story/c1e233904c88607224ff87cc8003611a How about we let things unfold...

Even Ross Lyon just admitted on SEN that the "tyranny of distance" is a major reason they can't attract talent back to WA. Who wants to put up with two x four hour flights across the Nullabor every second weekend ? Especially when your 195cm with back issues and have already missed a year of your career. And especially when past West Coast players are on record saying that the travel shortened some careers. Hogan's manager has already stated that he wants to live in Melbourne. He may leave the Dees at some stage, but it won't be to WA.

Looked at Parish closely and I'm rapt we chose Oliver. Parish will be a good player in time, but he's a mile off competing against strong bodied mids (who he didn't come up against today).

We get it. You're fazed.

Others brought him up.

The AFL investigated the Essendon saga and obviously found Goodwin had no case to answer. As an assistant coach he wasn't in charge of "governance". If you weren't "fazed" I doubt you'd be bringing it up. I'm genuinely unfazed.

Unlike Jordie, you want the ball in Oliver's hands. That sweeping handball on the wing to the player in space epitomises his composure and footy smarts. He's a different type of player, but he'll be as good as Brayshaw. Gawn, Brayshaw, Oliver, Viney, Salem, vandenBerg, Tyson, Petracca will be a formidable group in years to come.

Like a dinner.

He's not responsible for "the knots in your underpants". You are. As a sign of good faith Hogan extended 18 months ago, but seemingly that's not good enough for you. FFS, the guy has 2 seasons left on his contract and he's saying I'll negotiate at the end of this year. Bloody reasonable if you ask me.

You have the ability to compartmentalise. So many supporters here not reading the tea leaves... He doesn't want to live in Perth (yet), so dismiss the "go home factor" He's "loyal" - a point his manager is keen to point out He only extended his last contract 18 months ago He's only got one season under his belt With two years still to run he and his advisers think another year to show his wares (and confirm that the Dees are on the right track) makes perfect sense There are many players on the list (Harmes, Kent, JKH, Tom Mc, Petracca, etc.) that he is very close to and player relationships is one of the major reasons players don't go He's well aware of his importance to the team and would feel a real responsibility to help make a difference - it might be different if he was 26 and had already given plenty of service I'm very relaxed about the situation.

I'm going to have a far more enjoyable year than you.

If/when he does sign during the next off-season no trend will have been bucked. You rarely hear of other player's contracts being discussed two seasons out. There'd be other players in Hogan's situation right now. Some players only sign on for two years, which is the current length. He might buck a trend if he signs post season in 2017, but not this year.

^^^ I'm going to have to ban myself from this thread...

Just a smart move. Most players don't negotiate a new contract 2 years out. Some do, but if I was Hogan's manager and there was going to be a new CBA I'd say wait too. I doubt it's Hogan's idea, just good management, which is what he's paying for. Unlike Pirlo above, I'm very relaxed that he'll stay. He loves his teammates and they love him.

Of course it was peronal, whatever that means. Baggie and I often disagree at the edges, but usually concur with the bigger stuff. Not always, but usually. So what did you think of Oliver on Friday ?

He lives in Canberra... Btw, did he ever answer your post re his assertion that Hogan is a mercenary ?

Nah. I'd had a couple of lovely reds that night if I remember correctly (maybe one too many) and the sight of a Jordie McKenzie look alike was too much to bear, especially as I was then keen on Parish. In the cool light day I thought I'd better take a closer look. It took nano seconds to realise my previous offering was moron worthy. Aghast, I quickly retracted and have been a "Clarriefier" ever since.

Isn't it really only that @#%_ Dwayne Russell that is desperate for him to leave ? I stand to be corrected.