hemingway

Chook, you are being generous in referring to these guys as journalists. Footy journalists, you have to be kidding.

Can you change your name to Double Entendre. No perhaps Explicitly Opportunistic would be more accurate.

We are in a difficult position with Hogan. We have discovered that team success is not reliant on Hogan. Second, his foot is an issue. We all know about feet and that serious injury can not only seriously interrupt careers but end them. You don't want a bloke on $800 plus on the sidelines for a season or more. In terms of wise money management, a long term Demon deal with Hogan carries the risk that his foot remains an issue. Indeed, how many games can he string together without his body letting him down? We have a conundrum. We don't want Hogan hanging around for another season with an injury and poor attitude, yet we would not want to sign him to a long term expensive contract without being very confident that his foot injury is not going to impede his future. For me, there are too many ifs and buts with Hogan. Probably Freo and other clubs have the same concerns. Best that we plan a future without him, which means we need to compromise on the trade and accept less than what many feel we should get.

A bigger asset would be if he kicked with both feet, and at least kicked accurately with his preferred.

Definitely needs a tank. I don't think we have seen a truly fit Kent due to his injury. It's a pity because he has given us glimpses of what he could become. He remains very stiff and inflexible in the lower back often a cause or precursor of hamstring problems. Hard to see him ever having a fit body and having a tank that is needed to play 4Q of footy at the top level.

It really is a minefield in regard to total club salary management. A job for cool clear heads.

well I hope your right. and if you are, just don't brag about it.

I don't know why it is amusing, unless you think your cleverer than the next person. Like looking at someone's CV, you can form an impression or an opinion based on a person's track record. In the KK case, his injury history, lack of games, and GC's willingness to trade provides an uninspiring track record. The other reasoning relates to his untapped potential, which is always debatable. In the past, we have had a litany of names with potential on our list. And we all have opinions on those names.

Hope your right rjay so I will bow to your greater knowledge. Apropos of another post of mine, I should heed my own words and have confidence in our selection and selectors.

Underwhelmed by this guy given his track record. Unrealized potential is an unconvincing reason to buy him.

Remember these guys are not brain surgeons. Seriously, if they had any brains they would not be doing what they do. Sadly, the media is full of jumped up, second rate spruikers of bs. Its across all media covering all subject matter, it's just that sports media is at the bottom of the dung heap. They have a time slot on TV or radio or blog and have to say something that is supposed to be informative and entertaining. Hence the daily quest to bring an exclusive to the table or to break news. The media outlet is not going to give the guys a gig if they bring their mum's chocolate cake recipe to the microphone. Its about headlines and short grabs, and a quick opinion which is said to be an "analysis" of the daily trade talk. Its about these guys developing a reputation as a story breaker. Investigative journalism it is not, but its looking at [censored] bits from sources and twitter feeds. No skill required, its just having a pair of ears and eyes and an ability to build a narrative around the speculation. Until a club announces a decision, it is all speculation.

How times change. A few years ago, Hogan's departure would have been seen as a sign of failure by the club, of yet another star player leaving for the money and success at another club. Perhaps the Frawley departure is a case in point, and he was not even a star. Now most of us have confidence in this footy club and no longer see us as the whipping boy of the Victorian based clubs. We have tasted success and have confidence in the club and its decision makers. Confidence and belief is an amazing thing. We think the clubs decision makers will do the right thing and many now concede that losing Hogan may not be such a bad thing. Imagine the media's take on it a few years ago. No longer. I would love to see Hogan remain but I now have a different feeling about it all. No longer the sentiment of loyalty but a quest for success, whatever it takes.

Another ruckman is essential. And a ruckman that can more than hold his own against quality opponents. Have not seen Preuss and I will leave it to better judges than me to determine if he is the answer. We were very lucky this year that Max got through the season. Max will get injured, its not if, but when, and what will be the extent of the injury. Martin would be the ideal candidate but not likely to happen.

Trade talks can be destabilizing depending on the player and how long the speculation goes on. Regarding Hogan, going home is always the elephant in the room whenever his name is discussed. Unless he is prepared to sign a long term contract, beyond 2019, I would trade him and get the best deal possible. Clearly the clubs silence means that Hogan is seriously entertaining Freos offer and the Club is prepared to consider a deal. Its what makes sense for both parties. Get the best possible deal and do it as quickly as possible. I am well and truly over Hogan and want us to build an unstoppable team with a strong culture and team based behaviour we have witnessed in the latter end of the season.

Exactly, perfect summary of probable situation.

Kent has had his opportunities and seems prone to injury. He clearly wants out, so let him go. After 5 years, time is up.

Hogan and the club can easily put the rumours to bed by making a statement today. Deafening silence will tell it’s own story.

A timely retirement. Really good to see a player go gracefully when he knows father time is calling. Perhaps he chose retirement over being delisted, but still shows good judgement. Liked him a lot. Seemed to be a great club man and gave it his all. A real goer and competitor. .

Or more positional options, flexibility and depth.

Smiling assassin is a good name. Always surprised me how tough he was. He looked a relaxed kind of guy on the field until out of the blue, he would go whack. He was the beginning of the tough new edge the club has developed, the "don't mess with us" attitude. I love our improvement but most of all I love our new breed of tough young footballers who will stand up and give back in spades to aggressive opponents.

agreed. gawny's body is not going to hold up without better support. he will run himself into the ground.

Some good points. An article in the Age weekender talks about the importance of timing and leaving on your own terms. Very few get it right and hang on for too long for a range of reasons. Its a good article with a lot of home truths. Lewis should read it, because he has the choice. And despite dearly loving Nathan Jones, he is approaching the same point in his career. He may have another season, but father time is now calling.

agree with last sentence. what you get is what you give up. money and players. I would hate to see our list broken up, except for some fringe dwellers and your not going to get a deal done for a gun by trading fringe dwellers.

you named your source which is more than most posters do.

An important player for 2019 and beyond. But has to play his role as per game plan and become a disciplined footballer (which I suspect is not his natural inclination). Next year will be make or break for him.