Mach5

Attempts at shifting goalposts by Bell. We’re just making sure Freo don’t play funny buggers.

They have conceded defeat.

You think? Maybe. I think they have no problem winning the ball, they just need mods who run both ways.

Correct, they’ll want a pick. And they think they’re good for inside ball winners - the Roos want pace.

Obviously we’re happy to move him for the right deal, but we didn’t really need this confirmed, did we? I’m sure it will be offered eventually. No idea who though - which clubs need inside mids? Carlton, Gold Coast...

If they win the flag, that might be pick 19 or 20. They also don’t have the luxury of time. If Gold Coast are forced to turn over stars for early picks, they’ll want to get them in now, get a young group together with the right support around them (guys like Horlin-Smith, not Jared Brennan). They are desperate to break the cycle, not continue it.

I think he’s an aloof character which contributes to that sentiment, but I don’t doubt his commitment. He has just had a lot of other things running through his head (understandably). He has looked distracted because he is.

We were offering the same as West Coast prior to Hogan packing his bags. The difference in cap space with him going out might just be enough to get us back in the race. North offering stupid money, but that has to worry anyone just as much as it entices them. Depends on what sort of character you are. I know what type of person I think Gaff is.

What part are you having trouble with? I couldn’t care less what has been said in the media. Consider it my educated opinion then.

Textbook Saty

I’m sorry mate, but he’s gone. Beyond the point of no return.

Either Langdon is talking utter crap, or Bell is trying to spin the situation in terms of “wait a minute, I’ve just stepped into the role and we’re not even sure we want Hogan, and definitely not at that price” in an effort to get a better deal. Wouldnt be the first time this sort of thing has happened - wait until a player is now mentally committed to leaving, then move the goalposts.

Purely speculation on my behalf, but the Hogan/May developments may have also opened up cap space, letting us back into the Gaff conversation.

There may be unconfirmed media reports, but there’ll be nothing official until a deal is actually done; so unlikely.

There’s no guarantee, but surely that’s the argument they’d be making.

Careful, not too long ago many would have said the same about us. I’d have thought you’d realise a team’s success had no bearing on the knowledge (or lack thereof) of their supporters.

In addition to what others have said, GC can hold onto May until next year and get a top 5 pick if he leaves as a FA, so to trade him now they would need to be getting something close to that. They get the benefit of making the move a year earlier, but it still needs to be somewhat equitable to what they’d get next year.

I wouldn’t be so sure that this comes from Hogan alone. I’d suggest you approach this situation with more of an open mind, and look at the opportunities it is opening us up to.

I am the gatekeeper, all information flows through me and me alone. Follow the link below to my blog, like me on Facebook, Snapchat & tinder #newsbreaker #hearditherefirst Yeah, nah, couldn’t be bothered these days ??

Christ some of you people are insufferable. I merely wanted to give an indication that things are actually moving along, that this isn’t all just media speculation, meetings are happening and serious decisions are being made - i.e. this isn’t the Chris Judd saga where our name is thrown in there to add more interest, or one adventurous journo joined the dots based on little evidence, then the rest jumped onto a rumour to fill column inches. But I’m not going to spill all the beans. You’ll find out when you find out.

Not sure what you’re trying to say here... None of the developments were anything to do with a public announcement and wouldn’t have been picked up by the media immediately. It appears others have confirmed bits & pieces, but the fact remains that my source is impeccable. I don’t push for details though, cos I’d prefer the well doesn’t run dry.

Twin brother, taken about 50 picks later, and nowhere near as good.

Harsh, but a bit of truth in there.

It’s easy to see from highlights why he’d be a great fit for us. Consistency may be an issue. Ideal player to push Lewis out of the side, footy smarts pending. Gotta admit, I liked the look of him as a draftee, but have seen precious little of him at the suns.

Welcome to the new AFL. You gain a good reputation on the outside and maintain a good culture on the inside if you genuinely care about your players and try to facilitate trades to meet their needs, but also prepare to ensure you get maximum return. It’s simply smart business and I feel we are ahead of plenty of clubs in this regard. We won’t have many players moving on who harbour resentment, and that is good for future business.