Dr. Gonzo

That wasn't my point.

Is there any reason we haven't enquired about Lachie Hansen? I know he's not exactly Dunstall or Lockett but then again neither are Dawes, Pederson or Gumbleton. Not sure how he stacks up size wise compared to those guys and although I used to laugh whenever I saw him on TV the second half of his 2012 season I thought wasn't too bad. I do recall saying on several different occasions though "why do North keep giving games to this spud Hansen" so maybe it's a good thing. Just wondering out loud considering we seem to be going after every other key forward discard thats available.

Haha yeah because Dawes or Pederson are going to lead us out of the wilderness. Dawes will provide structure for a year until we can get Hogan into the side, I've never even seen Pederson play. I wouldn't want to give a top 20 pick for either of them and it's not the end of the world if we don't get them. If worst comes to worst we can chuck Stefan Martin down there for a year and see if he's worth keeping beyond 2013.

2 drafts.

Eltham College or Eltham High? Gee it's lucky we didn't end up with him, we all know Geelong only picks up one dimensional spuds.

Scott Thompson.

Also the salary cap decreases each year over the next 7 years until it is on par - they will have the extra COLA like the Swans do (though hopefully in the meantime someone like Eddie gets on their high horse like they did about Brisbane and it is taken off them) but I still think it is going to be impossible for them to keep every single player. GC has already lost one (Caddy) and another never played up to his pre-career expectations (Toy) - another has also signified he wants to head back home (Hickey). GWS looks like it will lose Giles as they won't meet his contract requirements. I think they will lose a few through salary cap pressures/homesickness plus players just not wanting to go through the hard yards in the early years when they're getting smashed every other week in front of 10K people while their mates from junior days are playing big games every other week. They're not going to lose all of them but there's no doubt some will fall from the tree. GWS I feel are in a better position than GC just because they seem to be developing a better culture - it's difficult to say in these early days but it really does seem they're ingraining that "us against them" Sheedy mentality which may assist them to keep players down the track. But nothing is inevitable and as we well know it is hard enough to win just one flag let alone 2, 3 or 4. EDIT: With regards to the salary cap - they will also have extra players on their list during the period of time it is decreasing - I haven't looked very far for anything official but an old 2009 article from the clubs inception states they will $60K extra for each additional player on their list above 38 plus the average veterans allowance (approx. $375K) that other clubs receive. The veterans list rules have changed so I'm not sure how that is factored in but they also have extra rookie spots on their list (up to 9) in addition to the extra players. As their list reduces their salary cap will too and many of their first round draft picks will be offered decent sized contracts to jump ship (they would be on minimum wage currently as they are on their first contract. This won't mean they will all leave but it may be enough to squeeze a couple out. http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=86208

If it were as simple as collecting the most high picks we would have played finals this year. Yes it's looking ominous but nothing is written in stone. I have no doubt GWS at least will win a flag because the AFL will ensure it but years of dominance is not something easily achieved. Even Geelong winning 3 flags only won one of them (2009) in the last 2 minutes off a flukey toe poke and another (2011) in the last quarter against a dominant side which had deteriorated towards the end of the season, possibly due to playing into October the year before. Plus don't forget if we ever do come across them in the big one, at least we will have the home ground advantage.

I agree - things are never as good or as bad as they seem. Glass half full - fitness levels were abhorrent and players were basically doing pre-season into the first half of the 2012 season. Players still young and developing. Love to see how they'll go with another pre-season under Misson and the inclusion of a couple more hard at it midfielders into the side.

Well you'd be wrong. It's the players responsibility. The club has no responsibility to maintain the public perception of the player's performance or ability. The fact is if we rated Moloney we would have tried to keep him and given him games. By dropping him and letting him go implies that he has been underperforming.

That's not how it works - the MD occurs during THIS trade period so we will officially select Hogan next week or the week after and GC Martin. GC will take Martin and we will take Hogan. It's just a formality. http://www.goldcoastfc.com.au/news-and-media/news/mckenna-talks-jack-martin/

That's a factor but is too simplistic. And anyway it is his around the ground work which is the bigger issue in my book. Doesn't push forward, doesn't drop back, isn't a great link up player, always looks for the handball, not a great leading target for kickouts (just sit it on his head) does not equal 3 year contract. Especially when he is approaching 30 and we have Martin, Gawn, Fitzpatrick, Spencer on the list (I acknowledge there are question marks on all these guys but surely 2 years would have sufficed.)

Don't want to lose Rivers but if it's a 3 year deal he wants no way I'd give it to him. 2 max and even that would be pushing it. By the way I agree with jackaub except for the rock star in his own mind thing. He was talking about Jamar and I agree with him, Jamar doesn't really do anything around the ground and has only had one good season. He can win the tap but it never goes to advantage.

Not that it really matters but Hogan IS NOT a Melbourne supporter.

Haha beautiful, well said mate. Not only that but apparently unless we draft an entire All-Australian squad with one draft we've failed miserably. Plenty of other clubs would be salivating at the thoughts of snaring Viney & Hogan and still have picks 4 & 20 up our sleeves.

Thank god for that, hopefully that puts to bed any nonsense about trading away pick 4 for a couple of mid-range players.

We traded compo pick 13.

Possibly. But if that was the case why wouldn't we just trade them pick 4 instead of 3 - would give more legitimacy to the argument that we had to package it with 13 as well.

No.

If it could be proven we would be done for draft tampering.

So instead of going after Franklin and Riewoldt next year we can just go after Cotchin, Judd & Watson instead. Problem solved.

Exactly. The only way we could stuff this draft/trade period up is if we trade away pick 4 for Dawes/Wellingham.

Getting Pedersen and Dawes in addition to Hogan is madness. We need midfielders - one key forward (Hogan) should be the aim with the rest spent on midfielders.

Hogan is a completely different beast to Watts. I understand what you're saying with guys like Darling and Butcher falling down the draft order but at the end of the day they will be still be gun forwards for a long time so I have no issues with trading 3 for Hogan as we still have 4 for another midfielder. If we get Hogan though definitely do not want Dawes, would not be required. Would be hoping we can offload Cook as well for a later pick we could use to upgrade a rookie possibly. EDIT: Hogan's physique together with his performance at Draft Combine in 3k time trial and beep test as well as his attack on the ball and marking ability indicate he will be a very very good player once he hits the AFL. Only query would be on his goalkicking technique but give us a year to work on him before 2014 and I'm sure we can work out some kinks (though to be honest despite his kicking style which seems a bit awkward based on the extremely limited footage I've seen he still appears quite accurate so maybe not an issue). Also does anyone know if Hogan would come over to Vic to play for Casey next year or will he stay in Perth to finish his schooling? (I assume he's in year 12 next year?)

There's no such thing as a free lunch I guess. We had a win today with Viney slipping to 26 - the cost is that we may have to pay overs for MD2. All good. Don't see how we could get Barry though - the reports on the Saints-GWS trade today indicate they have utilised all their zone recruits now.