CP5

Doesn't read well. Does he need a preseason or the dole ? Is he still athletic enough ? Does he have a tank ? Does he work hard enough ? I don't have the answers...

It seems reasonably straight forward to me. He is clearly talented and fills a need, but his body hasn't withstood the rigours of AFL footy. The club won't take him unless it is highly confident he's over his woes and can sustain playing AFL footy. So I'm relaxed either way.

Reported not long ago on twitter by AFL trade Whispers that we're interested. Was a very good talent, who has had no luck with injuries. Could be worth a punt if medicos satisfied. AFL Trade Whisperer ‏@AFLTradeWhisper 2h2 hours ago The Dees have expressed interest in throwing injury-plagued Cat Nathan Vardy a lifeline. Still a chance Vardy could be delisted #AFLTrades

Mark is one of life's gentlemen. I remember visiting his video store in Brighton a decade ago when he was going through a less challenging time, but challenging nonetheless. A genuinely nice man. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darling also squibbed it in the GF. Unfortunately, he's gaining a reputation.

Brett Anderson tweeting that North are into him.

I'm not sure what's funnier, you talking about not big noting yourself, or thinking you get relevant inside information.

By my reckoning Frawley is the only player Hawthorn have got from free agency. All of the others have been trades. Hawthorn are obviously a "destination" club, but they haven't benefited much from free agency. They lost on Franklin leaving under the same system.

Apparently his surgeons and doctors have been on this too. Or not.

No. Not with Burgoyne. And certainly not with O'Meara. He hasn't played for 2 years because of his knees.

They also traded for Shaun Burgoyne, who supposedly had bone on bone in his left knee. His knee woes were well documented at the time.

One of the softest players in a contest I've seen at Melbourne. I take it you disagree ? Although I'm a little unfamiliar with Pidgin English.

Lumumba was incredibly soft prior to any concussions. I don't want to see the post-concussion version of Lumumba.

I think you're right, but from my quick research I don't think he's had a top 5 B&F finish. He's had a 7th and a couple of 8ths, but I couldn't find a top 5.

Came 17th in their B&F from 15 games. Clearly the coaches are not rating his contribution. Did I read that he's had one top 10 finish in his career? He's so talented, but gee there are red flags.

To be a damaging outside running midfielder you need to be an outstanding two-way runner. I don't see Kent ever taking up this role. He's a half-forward for me with short stints up the ground.

Brayshaw isn't slow and Viney is quicker than both Jones and Salem. Dangerfield is a freak and the only truly explosive inside mid in the league. Pace is usually the last building block for a quality midfield. There's no doubt we need an Isaac Smith or Bradley Hill, but the ingredients of a quality midfield are coming together very nicely.

Interesting

Probably not much point debating a delusional old fanboy.

Being in a professional environment, spending 6 days a week with guys you've become close to, is nothing like the odd surf with a schoolboy friend. Hogan has been at Melbourne since he was 17. His closest mates will almost certainly be at the club. He'd also feel a responsibility to those mates. He knows they're on a journey together. He knows the prize at the end. He may go, but don't underestimate the pull of his mates at the club. And yes, of course he's now "familiar" in Melbourne, but it still may feel different to a 21 year old who knows when he's home.

It would hardly be unusual for a 21 year old to wax and wane on their feelings about staying with their mates or going home to family and familiarity. It wouldn't make sense if these emotions hadn't ebbed and flowed. When it comes to the crunch I'll back him to stay with his mates.

I've swapped over to an Evoque.

Supporters need to get used to the fact that Garland is now a VFL player, albeit an experienced one. Pick 48 would be very fair. When one considers players like the McDonalds at 53 and Hunt at 57 I'd be confident in an even draft that 48 would eke a good return. Although something creative, as mentioned by a poster above, may work.

If Melbourne got pick 48 for Garland they've made off like bandits.

He's gone from being 'potentially' overrated to now underrated. Ask Barry Hall or Cam Mooney how long it takes to learn the fundamentals and nuances of key forward play. They admitted it was 6 years before they felt like they were close to mastering their craft. They've marveled at how quickly Hogan was able to out-bustle his opponents, push off them, double back and time his leads. A poster above says "sadly" he probably won't be a Buddy or Carey. Strike me dead. He (sadly) may not be equal to arguably the best player of all time and another who may finish top 10 ? They even question whether a 21 year old, 40 game, power forward has reached their "ceiling". Hogan will be twice the player he is now when he's played 100 games. One of the reasons Hawthorn won't win the flag this year is that without Roughead they have no key forward to occupy multiple defenders. They have no-one to take a pack mark. They have no-one to ensure opposition defenders don't mark a finals type bail out kick or to ensure it at least comes to ground. Hogan has had little support throughout his 40 games. Watts was great in 2016, but he doesn't provide the type of support that Darling gives Kennedy. For a young key forward, who has taken the opposition's best defender in every single one of his 41 games, to be talked down like he is is staggering to me. I question whether they genuinely understand the benefits he brings to a team, any team. Outside of scouting Gawn and our work around the stoppages the most effort by opposition analysts goes into Hogan.