Dodos Demons

Thanks for the reply. Lots of shadow jumping at the moment especially by media personalities trying to big note themselves. Hard to know who to believe and what inferences to draw. All will be known in about 4 sleeps. Hopefully the outcome will not result in us going down the same road in 12 months time. I fear it will but having a premiership cup will make it much easier ?.

That is certainly reassuring. However, what causes confusion for some of us supporters is why Melbourne appear to have softened their negotiation stance from two high first round picks to a reported pick 5 and a second round in order to off load Jesse. Why be so “accomodating” if they think he may not want to go? Not doubting you or your sources. Just seems like so many mixed messages and it could be pretty destabilising (if not already) for the fans, Jesse and/or the club. How far is the club (morally) obligated to go to get a deal done? Fine line of course but seems Melbourne have been a very willing participant in terms of seeking to facilitate a trade by compromising on our demands.

Even better for Jesse then! What is loyalty to the club worth these days? Sadly it seems not much for some players (across the league) - all boils down to business/commercial/financial interests for players and clubs which is rgw world of footy we now live in, like it or not. Always some exceptions to the rule (Viney, Jones etc). Just need some success so can become more of a destination and retention club.

If he goes to a club that is less successful and with relatively poor prospect = less pressure = less expectation = less stress = more time for outside activitivies (surf, social life, music scene etc) but all for similar money. If he is not the footy beast/animal like a Viney, Gawn etc it may suit him perfectly to be in such an environment. He can then “cruise” through the season for a fat pay cheque.

The trade away of pick 6 is the most intriguing aspect of Freemantle’s behaviour: 1. Was it done in spite? Unlikely for a professional organisation but seems like Freo's current shot callers are out of their depth and not so professional (in the reason arena). 2. Was it done to get more picks to try and use them for both Lobb and Hogan thinking that their “tough” stance or negotiating skills will get those deals done? I suspect this is what Bell (and the board?) decided. 3. They asked Neale to wait (or Neale gave them an ultimatum) before pushing his move to Brisbane to allow them to try and get in Lobb and Hogan and Neale could reconsider? They got themselves in a bind as they don’t have the trade currency to get all these deals done to enable Neale to reconsider. 4. They want to keep pick 5 (if they go it) for the draft so try and get Hogan cheaply? This is obviously a given. 5. They thought Melbourne would accept their position that they no longer have pick 6 so can’t offer anything better than pick 11? Would be very naive of them to think his. Novice traders, so possible. Akin to negotiating skills of a kid in a school playground with his footy cards. 6. Hogan has some “other issues” mental or otherwise and out of respect to Hogan they have not stated what they are but they only value him as worth a pick 11 and 2nd rounder? This is possible but we will never know. If this is their position then obviously all bets are off now and most likely the future to get Hogan. Could be a good outcome for Melbourne if they can resolve whatever the issues are. 7. A combination of the above or something else? Who really know and will we ever know. Ar least our players did not do a Tex Walker towards Hogan (at least not public ally). Jesse seems very liked by the players so just hoping this does not damage relationships that impacts on our 2019 campaign. I am confident it won’t.

Pick 5 and .... who knows with Freo. Maybe just pick 5 but they will probably on trade that as well to Adel.

Nailed it! Love it (the post) not the situation ?

True, I guess I am still in denial ?

Thanks. Like the cheating girlfriend - his actions have implied he wants to leave us and is probably obvious to the outside world but when the words come out (if true) it still hurts.

Hey SF, has Jesse come out and said he wants to go to Freo or is that being (understandably) implied from his conduct ie touring facilities etc... Apologies if it has been posted earlier as it becomes close to a full time job keeping up with this thread lol.

Surely 500 pages is on the cards before a trade gets sorted. I am new to the Demonland and love the analysis and banter. With another club in the mix 500 should be well within reach. Hell, if 16 other clubs interested, better upgrade the servers.

Would Freo do a deal to trade out Neale without simultaneously doing a deal to trade Jesse in? Why trade out Neale without getting some candy in return to sell hope to the members?? maybe the deal was leaked by Brisbane and now it puts the pressure back on Freo to secure Hogan if they are losing Neale. Interesting times indeed.

If bs, maybe Basil/Ch 7 were hoping to flush out a formal response from one of the parties but social/Melbourne media jumped onto it too quickly. Big reputational risk to run such a big story without checking sources. What a saga.

Here is SEN host’s (Jack Heverin) tweet:

Still up: https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/afl/afl-trades---jesse-hogan-to-remain-with-melbourne-bc-5846311017001 however the clip of Basil is not available at the link. Headline remains.

SEN played the audio of Basil’s news clip several times. The host on SEN is still perplexed as they cannot get it confirmed from any other source (let alone Basil or Ch 7).

Nothing further reported on Basil’s twitter account or by 7 News Perth. Maybe the “can’t bat can’t bowl” defence will be relied on by Basil - it was the camera man (auto cue) who did it as a joke. Surely not.

Maybe the foot injury is too much of a risk for Freo (or a save face excuse for both sides if a deal could not get done for other reasons).

Quote is roughly “Fremantle have missed out star forward Jesse Hogan with the star set to remain with the Demons next season.” (Basil Zemplis). SEN host very confused as nothing further said.

Jump on SEN 1116 now.

Just reported on Ch 7 Perth that Jesse Hogan has missed out on move to Freo.

Sad but true I guess. I have tried to block that possibility from my thinking. Maybe Jesse is smarter than we give him credit for and he knows that either way, it is going to go down to the last minute and he will be back by then, ready to be directed to the correct change room for his presser. Alternatviely, maybe he packed a reversible jumper made up for the presser.

If this is true, we can all look forward to the obligatory interview (like Lynch yesterday) after signing streamed live from a Bali bar (or night club depending on the hour) beer in one hand, surfboard under one arm and a backpack full of cash. All while sporting a Dimmys knock off Freo jumper acquired from a local supplier.

Reality of losing Jesse starts to sink in - like watching your ex-girlfriend (who dumped you) start dating her new man. The heart still hurts but the head generally prevails (most times).

Maybe the club wants to get the news out before the best and fairest.