Dr. Gonzo

We got [censored] off with Freo trading down from pick 6 and offering us pick 11 yet you want us to do the same to GC (trade down from 5 and offer 8)?

Nah, the trade period should be longer if anything. In many pro sports the trade period extends into the season.

Explain why this would be the case?

That sounds to me like Hogan wanted to explore his options to move home but isn't really all that keen to move unless he gets a Godfather offer (years-wise anyway). And if he does leave MFC want to be properly compensated for what they view as a generational player that you can build a club around. The other possibility MFC were the ones pushing this and Hogan demanded a ridiculous contract from Freo to move knowing they were unlikely to cough up and if they did he'd be set for the rest of his career. It just seems like circumstances brought this to a head with Hogan not willing to commit long-term and mentioning his willingness to explore his options next year, Weideman having a good final month of the season, May being available, Hogans foot injury, Freo having a top 5 pick and MFC possibly reconsidering Hogan's $900k salary. Personally I'll be glad if he stays but I'd hope he reconsiders committing to the club long term (assuming the club still want him to). I don't think he'll play his best footy until he has it right in his head where he will be playing long term.

No, we paid 3 and a downgrade of 13 to 20. We got pick 20 back in that trade.

Rams Jags Bears

Subjective opinion.

Fact or opinion?

I'll believe it 8:31pm Wednesday

Hope he stays on it.

People keep talking about pick 5 but Freo don't even own this pick. They seem adamant to burn Neale and refuse to let him go to Brisbane (the reverse of what they did with McCarthy 2-3 years ago) so that being the case they won't have pick 5 to deal with anyone.

They don't even have pick 5

Exactly. So why stuff around trying to play mind games. Just be up front and say this is what we want, if you're not prepared to pay it don't waste our time.

I don't think so because it puts the heat on them to come up with a deal that will give us a sufficient pick (top 5 pick) to get May. Otherwise we keep Hogan because trading him out for anything less doesn't get us May so why would we do it? We should be pushing for 2 first rounders in my mind but if the FD have other ideas (ie willing to accept a top 5 pick and an early 2nd rounder) then the ball is in Freo's court to give us a suitable deal or they don't get Hogan.

GTFO

Wingard is nothing special, if Port get a 1st round pick for him they'll have done well. I'd rate him similar to Melksham/Hibberd a pick in the 20s is about right.

I'm pretty sure he copped a heavy knock to his leg very late in the Semi-Final. Not sure it's something to get too concerned over though, just that we need a backup because if Gawn goes down we're screwed ruck-wise.

Nah better to decide weeks ago before the results of his medical are known

I know it's unlikely but if we finished below Freo next year the pitchforks would be out

Can we just make this the Demonland banner?

He toured the freo last week so obviously there's something tangible to the rumours.

I disagree but see where you're coming from. Even next year we'd still be demanding 2 first rounders for him same as Crows with Lever, Blues with Gibbs, GWS with Treloar etc

You initially said Hogan would leave next year as a free agent. I corrected you and said he is not a free agent next year. There is still a difference between a free agent and a player who isn't a free agent but nominates a club of choice. The club of choice will still have to figure out a deal to trade the player in. If Hogan stays and decides to leave at the end of next year nominating Freo do you think we will just accept pick 30 for him? How much did we pay to get Lever? Pies with Treloar? Clubs have to be reasonable otherwise they will damage their credibility.

Yeah exactly which has made me think sjnce it wasfiraf speculates that it was more the club who brought this to a head rather than Hogan coming to the club and saying he wants out.