Matsuo Basho

Most media pundits don’t want Melbourne to receive two high first rounders for Hogan. They still see is as a minnow club who should do as we’re told and accept what we’re given in the manner of the third born in a poor family. Mark Robinson was on FoxFooty the other night adamant the Dees should not receive two first round picks for Hogan. I wonder why? Could it be that an even stronger Melbourne outfit makes it that much harder for his beloved Bombers to lift another Cup? Vested interests left right and centre in all this reporting on potential trades. All we need to be concerned about is laying it out very clearly to Freo what we expect in trade and then stick to it. Any media noise that suggests we are being unreasonable or that we are overvaluing Hogan is exactly that ... noise.

Close isn’t it. I lean towards Shiel because of the burst acceleration factor out of congestion. Perfect compliment to Clarry, Gus and Vines. Race is hotting up for both though. Saints have now upped their ante for Shiel to $8m over 6 years. Reckon he’s the type of guy though to settle for a bit less coin to play for a Vic club with genuine flag aspirations. Reckon it’s out of Hawks, Bombers and hopefully ... us!

It’s about finding that better overall team balance. If Weid can kick 30 (very achievable) and Petracca can increase his goal output (also very achievable) the loss of Hogan can be ameliorated or close to. At the same time the trade should allow us to strengthen our back six (May) and add some class elsewhere on the park, preferably outside midfield. On the balance of it, this trade can and should strengthen our best 22, particularly it should make us harder to score against.

Only Hunt of that grouping has the tools necessary to become a run-and-carry winger.

I agree with that. Look at the fitness levels on guys like Gawn, Oliver, Viney, Harmes. CP5 still looks like the penny hasn’t dropped on the sort of aerobic capacity you need to dominate at this level. Eating habits as well. A big mindset shift required from Christian this preseason.

The Channel 7 news update about Melbourne digging their heels in was based on a 10 second soundbite Nathan Jones gave Mark Stevens at the B&F last night. Jones said “Hoges is a contracted player who we rate highly and expect to be at the club next season.” Jones also added “plenty of water to go under the bridge before anything plays out there” or words to that effect. So I take from that nothing really except that perhaps Jones has been told by club power brokers to trot out a defensive line and pushback on the narrative that the club is simply happy to walk our key forward to Freo on quick, friendly terms. Ie. The club is prepared to talk tough on Hogan, readying itself for a stoush at the trade table. Posters like Bing181 who can’t grasp this concept take note.

Petracca averaged 21 touches and 0.8 goals/game in 2018. Played some good games but still a bit too hot and cold with a tendency to drift out if it for long periods. I think he can get a lot fitter. A rampaging Christian Petracca who can average 25 touches and 1.5 goals a game will see us very close to winning the premiership in 2018.

Melky was there, finishing an admirable 7th. Absolutely rapt for James Harmes. A case study in application, dedication and self belief. 3rd B&F in a side that made a prelim is some effort for a guy that was in the fringe of selection 18 months ago. Brendan McCartney is just so good in that mentoring/development role. Best in the business. Next season it’s your turn Christian Petracca. A guy with that level of talent should be pushing for top 5 in the B&F every year from now on ... or he’s not trying hard enough.

Nothing’s a sure thing but it’s highly likely. The AFL have pumped tens of millions of dollars into that joint and it is teetering on the edge of being a failure. If they have to make a choice to give them Band1 or Band2 compo for May which way do you think they’ll lean? Despite being 28 heading into 2019 a number of clubs would still offer him 3+ years and good coin if he hangs around GC for another season. 28 is not old by the way for a fullback in his prime.

A strong club should never succumb to being deterred from drafting a kid from interstate. You draft the best available player and back your system and culture to retain them. If despite this they remained determined to return home to state of origin at some point then you cash in on their trade value to maximum effect. The moment you give in to the “go home factor” and allow it to limit how far you cast your recruiting net, is the moment you hoist a white flag and declare yourself an also-ran.

Damned autocorrect!

Bingo. Sounds like we are going to dig our heels in, do a bit of posturing of our own. Good stuff. This thing has the potential to drag on late into trade week if Freo think we’re just going to accept pick 5 and packet of Samboy chips for him.

Remind me which of his teammates didn’t?

I’d still pay it. Head to head I’d take Shiel over Gaff. Absolute jet.

Big body: tick. Tough: tick. Skills: bow-bowww.

Agreed on Kelly. However unlike Gaff and Shiel he is not available right now. We have the picks and capital to make a move this trade period. Next October? Who knows.

Shiel @ $850k is better value than Gaff @ $1.2m

If Vandenberg goes I’d keep Tyson. He’s a solid if no frills inside midfielder who’s been a bit harshly judged of late playing a role on a wing he’s not suited to. Jones is on a bit of a decline and Viney is forever one wrong twist of his foot away from a 6-week lay off. I wouldn’t be so hasty to be offloading a guy who can distribute the footy from a pack like Dom can. He’s not an A grader but he can play.

Our list still has a few holes but room for an ageing, sluggish moving inside mid is not one of them.

You tried to shut others down earlier in the thread for even having the temerity to discuss this topic. Stood up there with your red and blue goggles fastened, duffel coat and beanie on, ready to pot anyone who didn’t have what you felt was your version of a “pro Dees” stance. Go re-read the rest of the thread if your memory’s lapsed. Then you’ll see what your ‘missing’. Honestly mate, a bit of humility it isn’t that hard.

I’m EnterTheDragon. Hi. Happy to re-post your attacks on others throughout the thread but I won’t embarrass you. You’d make a horrible boxer. Glass jaw.

So in one breath you say “we don’t know what is going through his head right now or the reasons behind him leaving”, then in the next you declare that you believe that he’d be sticking around had he not gone through the things he had. You’ve been one of the more fickle and inconsistent posters in this thread, Wiseblood. Lambasting others for merely discussing the possibility of trading Hogan, then backpedaling and re-hashing your view to suit the new narrative. Seems like someone’s ego is a bit dented. Just man up brother - you were wrong.

For me it’s not a hindsight thing. Yes players sometimes do sign two year extensions (usually because that’s all a club is willing to commit to) but the difference there between the Vic boy Tommy Mac is the fact that Hogan was an interstater with intense speculation forever swirling about the possibility of him heading home.There was a real opportunity at his last contract signing to conclusively win over the hearts and minds of Demons fans with a Norm Smith-like “I’m Melbourne, Tony. I’m Melbourne.” But the lad chose not to do it. As I said, one foot in and one foot out. A bob each way on the nags. That was his right as a pro footballer. No issue with that. But he lost me a bit as a fan that day and I suspect I’m not on my Pat Malone.

The two- year extension he signed was always a bit of an alarm bell. One foot in and one foot out was Jesse. Never truly committed for the long haul. Talented player but I’ve long felt he won’t become the superstar many claim he will be. There are some problematic flaws there. Can’t get the journey from outside 50, drops the head when the pill isn’t delivered lace out, an oddly poor overhead mark at the highest point. And the record irrefutably shows he had a tendency to go missing in the bigger games. Personally I think we’re doing very well to offload him now while the hype is still there and Freo are desperate. A lot of our more emotional supporters can’t see through the fog of disappointment but this trade could very well reap the blessing that sees us win our first premiership in 55 years. I see only good things coming from it if we play our cards right.