ArtificialWisdom

I'm not so much criticising the decision but you surely see the reasons for keeping him. I stand by my opinion that he would be useful depth next year given his run and spread. We lack that in any sufficent quantities, spread in particular. However, I am also not all that torn up by him leaving, I suspect most who thought he would be good depth would be similar.

Only for him to nominate Hawthorn

I really feel he is worth the risk, the unfortunate reality is we are going to have to start taking trade risks in order to keep moving up. We need that type Jeffy and Kent are super tallented forward/mid rotate types, but they dont quite have the freakish ability to pull off the unbelievable or to take over the game. We would develop a bit of a love hate relationship with him I think but every side has them, you need that. If nothing else he demands opponent attention. Look at Stringer for one, he is as hit and miss as a blindfolded batsman, this week he is just as likely to go goalless as he is to kick 7 and win the Norm Smith.

Im not sure that was as bad as having a sheep in a suit bleating 'Amazing' to the retirees

Well he got 27 disposals and kicked 3 goals that day in a completely dominant performance and only got 2 votes... He got BOG votes a couple of times but his 2 best games he didnt get rewarded. Its more than just a midfielders award its a clearance award. You dont see wingman win it, it always seems to be a player dominating clearances. Umpires just pick the player that got the ball first

Agree, he is the perfect candidate to 'turn his career around' and lock himself in the 22, but if he doesnt do it this pre-season his clock will start ticking and the club will likely begin looking elsewhere.

List of midfielders miles infront of him: Jones, Tyson, Viney, Oliver, Brayshaw, Vince, CP5, Salem, Stretch, Vandenberg Players who will rotate in and out of other roles that are ahead of him: Garlett, Kent, Hunt, Harmes, Melksham*, Hibbard* *Havent played so dont 100% know how they will fit but they wernt picked up for Casey Players on par with him: ANB, Bugg, Kennedy, JKH If he gets into the senior side consistantly (without relying on a mass injury crisis) I'll put my hand up and say I'm wrong... but it would just about take an act of God for him to get close let alone make it past those blokes. I just look at that and cant see why they would have renewed his contract other than sentiment.

Has 'master stroke' and 'Scott' every been used in a sentence that wasnt sarcastic?

Truth. But I would have thought we would not budge on Hogan? Reality is its just our job to make trading for Hogan as difficult as humanly possible. A couple of first round picks is just not good enough. Particularly if one of those picks is a future pick. Cant wait that long otherwise the tallent we have now will also look elsewhere.

Agreed, I don't want us to trade Hogan either, actively seeking the trade is madness, but my concern is we may not have a choice in the matter. And Fyfe would be my starting price.

But when asked if he was leaving he blinked 3 times more than he normaly would. If that is not evidence I dont know what is.

When?? you say that like it will happen. The AFL has their heads burried so deeply into the sand in relation to this it will take an huge archaeological dig team years to recover their remains in 100 years time.

I agree and my point wasnt to belittle his injury and I would be astounded if he got back to his brownlow best after this (although it's not impossible) but the fact is we have many players who are classes bellow Fyfe who have gotten through just as serious of injuries Hogan being one of them. Anyone picking up Hogan is taking as big risk on him as one would be taking Fyfe. Some players are just worth the risk. The publicity alone that would come to the club if we got Fyfe in for Hoges. If nothing else that would get the attention of other players. If you're looking at coming back to victoria and melbourne has just traded hogan for 2 first round picks as Barrett so stupidly suggests you are looking at going elsewhere. No sense waiting another 3 years for more kids to develop. But if Fyfe has just joined on.. suddenly Melbourne as a destination becomes an viable option. A youthfull side full of tallent lead by Jones, Gawn, Viney, Vince and Fyfe. Geez that becomes a right side more attractive with that 1 name on the end.

Since everyone keeps bringing up Fyfe: All of these best 22-25 players are good to go Gawn - Multiple knee recos Hogan- Season ending back problems CP5 - ACL at training! Kent - Season ending hamstring Salem - Recuring tyroid problems Brayshaw - Catchs concussion like the rest of us catch a cold Frost - Season ending toe injury Viney - Broken Fibula and Knucklebone Hunt - Severely stunted development due to recuring back issues Vandenberg - Recuring Ankle issues This guy is damaged goods Fyfe - Broken Fibula I stress that dont want Hogan to leave no matter the trade. But dont try and tell me that just because of his recent injury the best midfilder in the comp is not worth the risk should the option come up. I'm not even mentioning Trengrove in the above list despite many claiming that with 1 glorious pre-season he will one day return to the best 22. How some people can claim that Trenners will get back then say Fyfe is done I will never understand.

If they put someone who spoke at a normal pace on the show it would be 40min shorter. Robbo pads it out a bit. That aside i dont think Robbo is really that bad there are many in the media would avoid before him.

While I appreaciate the insight in some of those ones its the "wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole while wearing a hazmat suit" type responses that are the most fun.

I enjoy reading everyones reactions to each suggestion.

When it comes down to it I'm no longer 100% opposed to having a player come to the club as a player/coach for 1 year. I was but i can see the benifits a bit more noe... However I have 2 questions: Is Boomer really the right player to get in and play that role? I would think a midfielder or KPD would be more use than adding to our well stocked small forward brigade and Would having him in our side this year actually won us 2 or 3 more games as some have suggested he might do next year? He has been a star at times but most games this year he has been little more than a role player... I just dont see him being big influence on results..

Gaff and/or Shuey I'm sure pretty much any of us would take as a part of a trade but I have to ask. Is Darling not just a second fiddle forward? Im not sure he does all that much that is too special... Take Kennedy out of that side and Darling would get exposed, he wont have anyone to hide behind at the Dees. I would be very cautious, the last second fiddle forward we got was Dawes. Theres nothing wrong with being the second forward like Darling and Dawes... unless there is no first forward

Was going to be super interesting... then the AFL decided to ruin trading for points. Im sure we had big plans to trade our way up into the first round right up until that happened.

I will get very accurate info on the tip for this years premiership but you will have to wait until October

GC had a list full of tallented youngsters recruited 1 superstar and a heap of so-so middle aged players and hoped for the best. GWS had a list full of tallented youngsters recuited a plethora of ageing player/coaches to work with them on the field. Melbourne has a list full of tallented youngsters and has a decision to make. I know which blueprint I would follow.