Lord Travis

So no further news today, and Jesse is reportedly enjoying himself in Bali. Either it's been done behind closed doors out of the public eye, or he's stuffing both clubs around. The fact he toured Freo's facilities shows his lack of commitment to us, and for that reason I think it's best we try to move him on and get the best deal possible.

No progress on the Hogan front today. There's still no word if he's requested a trade or not. We've had a hypothetical discussion with Freo, which may mean it's been organised behind closed doors already, but until Neale is traded to Brisbane we probably won't see any progress as Freo need that first rounder to satisfy a trade for Hogan.

Hogan is more valuable, as he’s obviously a more talented player. I think he means Lobb has actually committed to them so he is now their primary concern, as opposed to a player who can’t make up his mind and is constantly stuffing everyone around. The fact he’s touring their facilities etc shows he’s got one foot out the door already and isn’t properly committed to us anymore.

We can't land May if we don't trade Hogan and get first round picks. While we have our 2019 first round pick still, we are not allowed to trade it due to the rule of not having used a first round pick at draft for 4 years. That means we need picks, as we have to go to draft next season (with pick 18 ). You'd hope there is an official announce from Hogan or his management very soon, as it's now trade week and we need to get the ball rolling if this is actually going to happen. No use dragging it out getting the trade done at the last hour, as we need to use the compensation we get for losing him to land May etc.

Re: Gaff, we might be a chance here just quietly...

Weird to see that footage and make all this stuff sprouted become a reality. I knew it was happening, but seeing that and having that moment was strange! We'll get something good in return for him. If we get 2 first rounder, we trade one for May and take the other to the draft. If we get Brayshaw and first rounder, do we still trade the first rounder for May and opt out of the first round for the 4th year running?

Do us a favour and choose JKH next ?

Gaff's manager said on Trade Radio today it's between West Coast and North. When asked if it was only those clubs, he said "yes.". We've asked, we've been told no, and now his manager says West Coast or North. There's no way we come close to matching Norths offer of 1.2 million a year for 5-6 years. Probably time to shut this thread down. The club has clearly sent their focus elsewhere since, hopefully on Shiel?

How is that talent? He laid a front on bump and got suspended for 5 weeks. Nothing talented about laying a bump to an unprotected player going for the ball. That's cowardly. He let his team down by sitting in the stands for 5 weeks instead of being out there when they needed him. Don't get me wrong, I like when players are tough, but crossing the line and getting yourself suspended for long periods of time means you're nothing but a burden to your teammates and your club. Hopefully he's learnt from that mistake and his bad tribunal record... On Hogan, he's gone. 100%. Mahoney could've played a straight bat and said required player etc. instead he starting listing reasons why it it's happening/might be happening. If he was sticking around, he'd have shot that down instead of starting to soften the blow. He's 100% gone. A shame to lose a young star heading into his prime, but we'll get good compensation and may become a better team for it.

The trade seems to be 2 first rounders, with one then ontraded for May.

The club will be prepared either way. While it would suck if a budding superstar wanted to leave, it’s not going to be the end of the world. We’ve proven we can be competitive without him, and we would be able to extract a lot of value from trading him. Obviously I’d prefer him to stay as he’s a young star with some seriously good footy ahead of him, but it won’t be the end of the world if he leaves.

Less. He won’t be a free agent, and we then lose the leverage of him being a contracted player. If we believe he will leave when his contract ends, we’re better off trading him now while he holds more value.

Hunt had back issues over pre-season, meaning he struggled to build fitness and confidence in his body. He had back issues in his first few season on the list, so it's an ongoing thing unfortunately. Once fit enough to play, he struggled with confidence and then multiple other injuries. When fit and in form, he's in the top 10 players IMO. He's got a really high ceiling, as his running is used as hard to defend as it is to attack. He's got unmatched speed, a great leap, and plays with flair. He's one of the few players I feel could be really effective on a wing for us long term. Last season he was bordering on AA half back flank form, nearly as damaging as Hibberd. He's still young, and with less than 50 games to his name I wouldn't trade him unless he was part of landing us a bonafide superstar.

He stood up big time the past few weeks and especially last night. That was a break out game. He’s always showed he could become a threat in the air and was already one of the most aggressive tacklers on the list. Last night he put it all together. Always knew he’d make it, and now it’s onwards and upwards! Weiiiidddddd!!!

I'll always remember Bernie fondly. He chose to come to us when we were a struggling club and really bought in to doing his bit to improve us. He played some elite football in the red and blue too, winning our BnF and playing his role as a tagger and defender as his career progressed. He's a really laid back guy, and very likeable character who always seemed to bring positivity to the club. It's a shame he's retiring, but the time is right. Best of luck to him and hopefully we see his kids run around in red and blue in a few decades time.

We'd be stupid to actively trade Hogan. Quality key position players are hard to identify and develop properly, and he is pure quality. However, if he really wanted to be traded to a WA club, then obviously we have to look at it. I'd say Pick 5 and one of Andy Brayshaw or Adam Cerra would be a fair trade. Gives us a great young midfield talent and a pick 5 to draft another talented youngster/trade for a good established player. Only trade him if he wants out.

At this rate he will finish his career as the best player to pull on the red and blue in my lifetime. He's phenomenal and still underrated by the wider football community somehow!

His leap and timing for overhead marks is so pure. It's textbook perfect! Great to see him start sticking them now. Like I said earlier in this thread, he's got all the tools to be a good key forward, just needs to get fitter so he can stay involved for four quarters. Today he took another step towards that. Looking very promising and definitely worthy of a place in our best 22 for finals!

Don’t know how to finding my posts other than clicking through and reading 100+ pages! I was one of the few on here who thought he was a decent trade and defended him early on. He was good as a half forward/mid at the Bombers, so once moved away from defense it’s no surprise he has thrived. Here’s hoping he can keep having an impact in September!

Weid took 4 contested marks on the weekend. That was the most of anyone on the ground, and more than Hogan has taken in any match this year (his best is 3). No wonder the club are so bullish about him being a dominant aerial threat in the future. He's still got a ton of development ahead of him and he's already able to clunk them! Great to see Weid show some of his talent on the weekend. Hopefully he keeps up that form and doesn't tire. He could be vital for our structure in finals.

Good to see Weid stick some of those marks and tackles today. The only thing holding him back is fitness IMO He's got a great leap when flying for marks, and he's an aggressive tackler. You could see in the third quarter he was buggered and his tackles started to slip, but he kept pushing himself to more contests and managed to interrupt a few Eagles forward movements. Weid will become a good AFL player. It's just going to take a bit more time to build fitness and concentration. He'll grow in confidence once his body is capable of producing four quarters of AFL level footy instead of one-two. He has all the physical attributes and skills to make it. Keep it up for the rest of the year Weid!

That’s true, if you don’t play by the teams rules then you’re gone. It just happens that in this case the rule appears to be a hinderence against quality opposition. Surely there has to be some logic applied to when to pull the trigger. I guess I’m just frustrated, like many, that we seem to waste opportunities by being too cute. And I’m frustrated that talented players like Petracca are yet to impose themselves when opportunity has been presented. Here’s hoping Weid takes his chances today and helps us over the line.

Completely understand this and agree with it all in theory. We showed in the first half of the season that we were the number one team for scoring goals within 15 meters of goal, thus meaning our accuracy was highest. This only came against poor teams however. Against any opposition of substance it hasn’t worked and it’s been an embarrassing shambles. If a player takes a mark 40 meters out from goal, they should take the responsibility of having a set shot and not looking to pass amongst a clogged up area in slow play. I want to see guys like Petracca step up and actually take some responsibility to try to and win games.

He's not alone. Whenever any of our players get the ball 40 out they still look to pass it. None of them will stand up and take responsibility for the shot. It's either team direction from above to always look for a better option, or they're all sh*t scared. I'd say it's the later.

I’m just waiting for Weid to start sticking his marks. He is our most aggressive and component tall forward in the air, he just needs to start clunking them. He just launches at the ball so well, a really good leap, it would be a shame if they never stick. The coaching staff are really bullish about him becoming an aerial threat in the future. Part of it is fitness and concentration for Weid. He’s one of the most aggressive tacklers on the list, but once he get what tired he stops sticking them. Hopefully he continues to build fitness, as the aggression and technique are already there. Here’s hoping this weekend it starts to come together more consistently.