Dr. Gonzo

IF he leaves (and I'm not saying I think he will) and we continue to become a successful side it will hurt but the supporters will get over it. If he leaves and we continue to struggle on field it will be devastating for the MFC.

It's not a media beat up when the club has made it clear we want to lock him in on an extension and there is opportunities that will open up for him in WA. The club advertised that we were opening negotiations on an extension now he has delayed talks of course the media will pick it up. He is going to be one of the best players of his generation, this is a story.

You're living in lala land. So the club, who has been trying to extend his contract for the last 6-9 months and who were eager to open negotiations for an extension at the end of last season, has all of a sudden decided that we're ok with postponing negotiations with this generational player for another season when every man and his dog will be in his/his managers ear with an offer to leave including at least one club from his home state. Why the hell would they do that? They've been pretty clear this is the guy we'll be building our team around for the next 10 years so if we could lock him in you don't think we'd do so? I'm not saying he's going to leave but to think the club wouldn't have preferred to keep negotiations open and get something locked in sooner rather than later is delusional. Also if the club has only offered 3/5 year deals they are idiots. Give this guy the keys to the castle, offer him 10 years and we'll rise or fall with him. Lynch was given 10 years from the Bears and that worked out pretty well despite the initial setbacks.

No. Even if it were, it would backfire spectacularly.

If he does go it will be the biggest Hogan heel turn since Bash at the Beach 96

True - but he did already agree to sit and discuss - why then the need to close shop and so Nah, don't wanna discus until the end of the season now. We'll see, if he tries the same thing after the CBA has been signed then he's gone. I'm just jaded now after going through the Scully and Clark debacles. If Hogan does leave it will be such a giant kick in the nuts for this club it would set back the work that's been done since 2014.

I think you're giving us more thought than the wider footy public does.

Link to online article?

Franchise tag would only apply to the players current club. A franchised player could not be poached by another club in FA.

There you go, my memory fails me!

Cotchin has more talent than Jones but Jones has more heart. I'd take Jones. Cotchin also misses far too many goals especially in crucial situations.

Interesting though that Brayshaw started as sub against Gold Coast in round 1 - Oliver won't have that luxury. I hated the sub rule but it did give rookies a chance to become accustomed to the pace of senior footy without having to run out a full game.

No sh*t

We did take Matthew Bate at 15 previously...

Seems the biggest query is on his tank which would make sense considering his ankle issues. Get the ankles right then work on his stamina over the next 12-18 months and I've got a good feeling about this kid. The other thing to keep in mind is that he won't be the number one option in our forward line as long as Hogan's around which will give him greater capacity to exploit defenses once he gets his aerobic capacity up and gets more strength and muscle definition.

It was definitely awkward (looked like Gabo's run in keeping with the old school Pies theme) but it was effective. He didn't look like losing control/possession and it came straight back to him. Like Hogan's run up if it works, no need to tinker despite how awkward it looks.

Not a chance we get round 1 comp for him, we'd be lucky to get any compo for him at all.

Does/can Weideman pinch hit in the ruck? I'm assuming he's going to have to unless we've earmarked Frost for that role down the track.

Lighten up mate, those days are gone.

Yeah the clip indicated he would drop his eyes more than Sylvia or Moloney used to.

Depends what you mean by elite user? I think the last few years has shown us that poor disposal in today's game kills you on the rebound. I also think elite decision making is a key component of the modern game and this could be part of being an elite user.

Drink driving is stupid, I've never done it but I have lost my licence for speeding before when I was younger - also got done running a red light (not at an intersection) and no Ps at the same time. It was stupid but it didn't define my character.

Thanks for sharing this mate. I'm thinking (hoping) Salem will see more time in the middle this year so maybe he can replace the role on the HBF. Although setting up the play from the back half is such an important part of todays footy maybe they want to settle with Salem there? I don't know, he just seems to talented not to play a greater amount of time through the middle.

Was sitting right behind this mark, the only interstate game I've ever been to.