Dr. Gonzo

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.

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.

IF all this is true it doesn't seem like Melbourne is too worried about keeping him. Where are the comments about Melbourne meeting Hogan/his manager desperately trying to convince him to stay? Haven't seen much of that mentioned.

Lynch was a free agent.

Yes but free agency is different to uncontacted. He can't just walk for a good deal, the other club still has to figure out a suitable trade.

Hogan is NOT a free agent next year. If he leaves next year it will be exactly the same circumstances as this year except he could potentially threaten to walk to the draft.

And Stuart Spencer...

How would Collingwood have the currency to trade in May? They won't have a top 10 pick.

This is a terrible post in my opinion. Lost his dad to cancer last year after a long battle, went on to suffer cancer himself, dealing with all this while away from home and only 23yo - and then came out to play the best footy of his career in the first half of the season before injury halted his year. Some may question his onfield demeanour or workrate but to question his "grit" - geez, I'd love to see how others might handle the situation if they walked a mile in his shoes.

4 & 22

Against Freo in Darwin this year

Another option would be they trade us pick 4 or 5 plus their first pick next year. We could then use that as currency for a player or trade it to another club this year for their first (as a lot of people will be banking on Freo having another high pick next year).

If all they offer us this year is a one first round pick then we hold on to him. They'll offer the same next year and will have a top 5 pick again so we won't be any worse off.