old55

I'm not sure where you were at the end of this season maybe in a coma? Sam Weideman came in when Hogan went out and kicked 8 goals in 5 games, and goals in every game - all against high quality opposition, 3 of them finals matches. That translates to 35 goals across 22 games. There's a reasonable expectation that with another pre-season Weed will be even better next year.

Missing the finals is a failure now but even then there could be injury reasons for that. So making finals is a pass. Winning finals is a reasonable expectation, top 4 a good result - last year was really ahead of expectations. Flag is definitely possible and that's a great position to be in.

That "angry" kangaroo in their new logo is so lame.

They got rid of the high mark on that bag over Robbo - I think when one guy landed on his head. Now they have the "high ball" from the machine. Could still be Haymes Harmes High-ball

Finished 4th in the 2018 B&F in a great year for the club. Clearly the FD still rate him. Explain that to me? One injury to the starting midfield of Oliver, Viney, Brayshaw, Harmes and he's straight in there. He has challenges ahead to adapt to a new role on the wing and probably half-forward but he's too good not to be in the 22. He's be in any club's best 22. The FD will find a way to use his talents and he'll need to rise to the challenge of adapting to his new role. If he can adapt to a new role there's no reason he can't play 2-3 more years - he has been incredibly durable.

He's like Joel Smith, the FD are looking at what he can do. not what he can't do, They might be competing for a similar role in the fwd 50.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-07-27/academy-rules-tweaked-to-give-overlooked-talent-another-chance

Not another pseudonym! And here I thought we had another quality poster.

Don't unlock the asylum. ?

Has your glass got a hole in it? Freo must be wondering what's wrong with Hogan too because according to you we let him go too cheaply.

Told you under "cone of silence" or fine to have it on the public record? We all appreciate inside information but one needs to be careful that one's sources do not dry up from being aired too much.

why do I give @Queanbeyan Demon post more credit than your's?

surprised he didn't go to Sydney

I had a bit of a soft spot for Freo, fellow travellers in adversity and all that. I don't wish Jesse any ill will personally but Freo have lost me. I don’t like North and Freo are up there with them now, unlikeable but unremarkable.

Almost "Obviously I do want to play in finals and flags, but at this stage it was more important to get back around my family and friends, and have a fresh start.”

Wow that is good to hear!

May vs Hogan at Optus Stadium next season, bookmark it.

Quite frankly that looks completely normal to me and seems like it was forever to be so.

Max had average game time of 85% in 2018: https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pp-melbourne-demons--max-gawn?advv=Y If Preuss and Max both play then Max could drop that to say 75% gametime to help his longevity. Preuss would need to play at least 65% gametime so we don't lose out on rotations. That means they'd be on the field together (minimum) 40% of the time - assuming they are never both off together.

It's worth re-iterating that Steven May chose MFC over offers from Collingwood and Hawthorn who also made finals this year - really who would've thought that even 2 years ago? And he cited the key reason was "the guy" Simon Goodwin, that means he preferred Goodwin over Clarkson and the reborn new age Buckley! Wake me up, I must be dreaming!

I'm not disputing that Hogan is a great player. His last game for us this year was the loss vs Sydney, after that with TMac and Weed as key forwards we went on a four game winning streak against top 8 sides - WC in Perth scoring 108, GWS 102, Geelong 75 in a low scoring match and Hawthorn 104. I don't think Hogan would have made any difference in the PF. I think there's a fair body of evidence there that the forward line is not a glaring weakness.

We tried Joel Smith forward a couple of times this year including in the 2nd half of the PF. He has that incredible genetic leap and is fast and a good tackler so his defensive capabilities are sound. It will be interesting to see if he's training with the forwards next year.

There's a difference between being sad to see Hogan go and canning Mahoney.

Let the melts begin Paging @EnterTheDragon

They don't have 30