buck_nekkid

Assuming we need two forwards, or that we can't develop Tangles into one? Stuff happens. The Tiggers won a flag with only Riewoldt and smalls. Collingwood are built around mids and nearly got there (with a big cox in the mix). Hogan can go and be whatever. What matters is that we create a TEAM that wants to win together, and has the capability to do so.

If we end up with May, KK and a mid 20 pick for Hogan, it isn’t unders or overs. It is taking care of business. We will have improved the list as per our plans, and although Hogan is a player of high capability and potential, he may deliver us a flag by departing. We will get stronger as a team, but lose an individual who could be brilliant. We also save $1mio per year in cap, which will be useful spread elsewhere.

So, do we value Hogan to us at $1 mio per year? What would we need to see him deliver for this to be fair pay?

I would take pick 5 and offer it around for something like an 8 and a 14. Or 8 and next year’s first. Give either to gc for May and kk, and still be back in the first round

A future round first pick will still be less than their FA compo on current form, so we have nothing to give them (pick wise), and there are no rumblings about players. I think this goes on hold until next year, or we get boned by Footscray.

Think GCS will chase future picks as the are pretty loaded this trade period.

Is your aim to have this on every page? Why repeat it 25 posts later?

Here's the bit that gets me: Freo (apparently) had told Jesse's management that they would do the deal, involving their pick 6. They then proceed to trade that out so that deal cannot get done. WTF? They then have a raft of picks, none of which would be enough to get the May deal done. Their only hope is to get a high pick for Neale. They baulk at this trade, and are saying they will not let him go. They therefore cannot get the pick they know we would take to get it all done. WTF?? We seem to have a positive relationship with Jesse, and have no need to accept a low ball offer. Freo look like they are trying to be the Arthur Daley of the trading world. Want us to offload our 2 first rounder valued player for chump change. WTF?? Peter Bell-end and his team are confusing at best, deranged for certain. Essentially lying to all sides and short dealing everyone they can. If they had have taken a mature approach to all of this, they would have lost a midfielder (they have a few of those) and would get back a premium, marquee, 10 year power forward. I'm sorry, I just don't get it. There is no value to anyone behaving like this.

Watts at 31... where do I sign up? With 20/20 hindsight, this deal (even paying 15% of his salary) was a big win. Frittata is almost ‘Watts 2.0’ in that he adds class, capability and skill, but in the version of the 2017 demons, not the 2012 ones. So you trade on what you know, and get what you can. I think the Watts trade shows us that we are actually in good hands. I think Freo may have damaged their relationship with Jesse with this stunt, which may be more telling than if The Dockers come crawling back to the table. Jesse has not yet ‘asked for a trade’ - only exploring options. As a PS, personally I hope Watts can find his feet and play well at Port, but so far all I have seen is a seagull that runs around the outside of packs looking to steal a chip.

Hopefully the one with the navicular fracture....

We have 4 options: the Hogan deal kicks back in (unlikely) May requests a trade to us and they move him on at a lower rate to start their rebuild. He goes FA next year and we get him then. He ends up requesting a trade elsewhere low probabilities for this year, moderate for next if he stays at GCS.

Agree. It will send a signal to Freo that we are ‘out’ of the bs deal and that there is no trade for May.

I’m reading they have withdrawn from chasing Hogan now? So that really makes this 289 pages of cheese.

How are you seeing Josh’s performance and results? so far I am impressed with the things he says, and what we have done so far. I suppose the real assessment will come with the Hogan/May possibilities. after hearing him speak today I think we are in good hands...

How are you seeing Josh’s performance and results? so far I am impressed with the things he says, and what we have done so far. I suppose the real assessment will come with the Hogan/May possibilities. after hearing him speak today I think we are in good hands...

Thanks, Dom. Think this is a big win/win. We fill an urgent need, clear some cap space and gain a later pick that might help us either bundle up or sweeten a deal. Norf gets a midfielder to play inside that improves them. A good example of how trading should go, rather than the Bell End method.

He wanted out for more opportunities. Fair enough. Thanks for the service, Dean. Good luck and watch those shoulders!

So, JM said: Jesse wanted to explore options He is happy to stay if a deal can’t get done Freo know the price May deal doesn’t happen if the Jesse deal doesn’t go through Freo are not offering anything that would help Melb, so no deal.

Freo cannot offer 5 as they do not hav it yet. They have put an offer on the table relating to their best current pick. We say no, do better, and see what emerges if the Neale deal drops.

Not official yet. Just reported by Fairfax. Lets see if it is premature speculation or the deal.

The Age reporting the Freo board has met to discuss Hogan deal! Bigger than Ben Hur!

Just 39....

I think it was just a case of Basil’s teleprompter. Was changed back on the website pretty quick. The dumping of salary cap sounds a valuable add on, but I wonder how the AFL see such things re trading fair value?

Corrected back to Pittard

Here is another way to look at this (no sources, just supposition): club checked in with Jesse at the end of year - what were his plans? Jesse (and manager) wanted to ‘explore options’ (Ask Freo if they were serious about all of the honey they have been dripping in Jesse’s ears. This was supported and encouraged by the club. Better to maximise value now, if need be. Club asked Jesse “If you want to go, please tell us by Tuesday” Josh Had a preliminary chat to Freo, and told them what it would cost if it went ahead - ‘hypothetically’. Jesse did the tour, and saw how far from anything they were. Decided not to ask for trade. Freo now posturing about his lack of interest, to save face. Jesse in the box seat - still under contract, on holiday. Can discuss contract extension when he gets back. Club can put any offer it like to Jesse, he can choose to look at it any time before next year is concluded. Suggest we can put the cue in the rack until next year, when he will have to make the call either way - stay and sign a longer term arrangement, or go.