The Big D

By requesting a trade. Whether Melbourne grant the request whilst he is under contract is of course another matter. But the trading of contracted and highly valued players prior to the expiry of their deals has been done on several occasions - partly to maximise the return.

I'm becoming very concerned by the growing chorus of football industry people saying that Hoges is certain to return home to WA. Langdon and Hardie, I know, are Western Australians and might be being parochial, but on the other hand they are based in WA and maybe they do have some inside info. Crackers Keenan recently wrote that not only is he certain to go home, it is likely to be at the end of this year (despite his contract). It might be correct that the opinions/whispers of these characters should be dismissed, but obviously, the more you hear it the more you worry.