Pates

What’s interesting to hear is that even though statistically Hogan ranks above any of the best forwards at his age so many fans of other clubs don’t rate him. I understand his low output this year vs the better teams but his raw numbers are still something to behold. How so many fans don’t see him being worth pick 5 + 23 (or more imo) is beyond me. I know there are still people on here convinced he’s still being traded this period, I just don’t see how it happens with the way Freo have conducted themselves in these negotiations. Once this all wraps up (and we’re getting into 2019) I would love to hear from either Jesse or his manager to know what they’ve thought of Bell/Freo’s conduct.

Only if you want it to be, it’s the world of professional sport. If he’s a proper professional he’ll come back fit and firing for 2019, I’m willing to cut him some slack but it’s not hard to see who’s going to take the mantle of whipping boy next year should he (as it appears) remain a Demon.

I think a lot of people are forgetting this, when Lever was playing our backline was very settled and working well. We had to experiment a number of times before we got a mix that could work ok but if wasn’t the same. When Lever comes back we will have an intercept defender that can control the backline, Frost also came on in leaps and bounds while I have faith that OMac will continue to improve. While I would’ve liked us to get May I don’t see it as the end of the world.

Whatever happens with him staying with us for the very least next year Goodwin and Co need to sit down with him so everything can get out in the open. Tell him where/how we are going to use him next year, talk to him about his importance to our desire for a flag, and tell him we want him long term.

Perhaps this is fantasyland talk (but hey isn't that half of what DLand is all about!) but this could perhaps end up being a similar spur on that Dustin Martin got when he shopped himself around. It of course depends on the character of the bloke but he can choose to make this a positive for 2019 and beyond by saying to himself, "screw Freo for stuffing me around", recommit to us and come out fit and firing for next year ready to prove he belongs in the competitions elite. It's also on his teammates to make sure in no uncertain terms they are glad he's still with us, and try to make him more of a Demon.

Are Fremantle just trying to pizz off every single person involved in the trade period?

I was definitely among the chorus of people wanting us to rest him against some weaker opposition. As you say we’ll never know if it would’ve made any difference with his injury, might’ve just prolonged the inevitable. I’m terms of him getting an offer I reckon the moment we put him on ice Freo contacted his manager. Its seemed like a seasonally regular thing, the weather starts to turn and Freo make an offer to him. I really wonder how he must feel that finally it could’ve happened but Freo botched the deal. Would surely leave a bad taste in his mouth.

Welcome to the club big Preuss! Just as a thought for a solution with our defensive questions, could we play Preuss back there a bit? Big body, surely wouldn’t be outmarked too many times, his recruitment also throws up the ability to swing Jesse, Sam, or TMac back at times. Maxxy’s statement of my “favourite ruckman” (while perhaps a little bit of comedy) does have me hopeful that they’ll work well together.

I reckon the On The Couch producers will be making calls to make that happen ASAP.

Very straight bat from Mahoney, now I want to see us table a 3+ year deal to him. Say to him, “let’s win the premiership together”. As for Bell and Fremantle, I hope Jesse kicks 10 on you flogs next year.

I’m not sure how the trade period works but I’d be very happy for Mahoney to refuse to sit down with Freo after today. Remove any possibility of them getting Hogan now.

I’m not sure what people are talking about with other clubs, it was Freo or us. Freo have overplayed their hand and I hope Jesse and his manager are so angry that they tell them to get f—ked and not call again. Bell’s a proper idiot.

Must admit, I’m 100% in the same boat. He’s a gun forward, end of story. We are still yet to see his full potential, I would personally have him as a high CHF/forward flanker. I also suggested that we train some defensive capabilities into both he and Weiderman to give them the ability to swing them back. TMac we already can play defensively if needs be so let’s make all of the swing men and suit our needs match by match. Also West Coast showed that with the right game plan you can play with multiple big men in the team.

I believe the biggest challenge with May will now be getting a deal done with GC.

I know this might sound lame but I reckon it’d be good for the Dees fans to show support for Jesse on his social media accounts. Tell him we’re happy he’s staying a Demon we can’t wait to see what he produces in 2019 (and hopefully beyond).

Honestly I think if they have turned down 5+23 then I want to thanks them. I would’ve been extremely pizzed off if we’d accepted that. Only way that gets done IMO is if they throw in their future second rounder as steak knives.

It’s only early here in London but I had a gut feeling something had changed and I had to have a look. What I’d love for the club to do is when Jesse gets back from his holidays to have a meeting with him and tell him how pathetic Freo were to deal with and that they clearly don’t rate him as highly as we do. We should then put a contract in front of him for at least two more years but I would love it to be a long term contract so Freo never get their grubby little hands on him. You’re an idiot Bell.

I wouldn't be totally against Tyson for Preuss, we need a decent back up ruckman to take the pressure off Max and Braydon is the best option out there. Maybe we could try to bargain for a swap of picks to improve our position somewhere in the draft even if it's just third rounder or something.

Our leading goal kicker? No thanks I'm happy to keep him forward.

Even if WC could satisfy a trade I’m not sure how they would fit him in. They’re already very top heavy and while that worked this year I don’t know how you’d add Hogan into that mix. Interesting that another team may have entered the mix, if it’s Victorian and Hogan is considering it any goodwill I’d have towards the bloke would be shattered. I understand a desire to get home, surely it’s Perth or stay at Melbourne.

Wanting to go home but having love for the club and the players aren’t mutually exclusive. Have a listen to what the boys said about him at the B&F, they all said no matter what happens Jesse will always have mates at the club and they love him. I’m sure there’ll be words said but they are professionals and they’ll get on with the job. Plus should he remain a demon he’d surely see it as one of his best chances to win a premiership.

If the Neale trade fails, then the Hogan trade fails. That’s the way I read it. Unless Freo can find something else to satisfy us with (established player of some sorts) then pick 11 as a starting point will not get the trade done. We can and should dig our heels in.

Jesse has done amazing things for his age and has massive upside and potential still to be realised. But as a player in the here and now I can understand Wingard being talked up more as he’s a proven performer. That said pick 11 and a future second round pick is insulting not only to us but to Jesse. Of course it’s posturing but if you’re playing poker you always have to be careful not to overplay your hand. I feel like they’re in danger of doing that now. Pick 5 and 11 is what we should be saying is our final offer and stick to it. I don’t know what people are getting flustered about potentially having him on the list next year. I’m happy for us to hold onto him if needs be and who know Freo’s pathetic dealings might spur his position towards them.

Hehe two can play the PR game ? thanks Gaz!

Depends on whether what’s being said in the news is close to the truth. There are some reporting that we have softened on the idea of a second high draft pick going so far to suggest a pick 5 plus a low second rounder would get the job done. I’m hoping that’s pure speculation because if true that is disgraceful and should never be entertained. If we lose Hogan we MUST be coming out the other side saying “oh well it sucks but we’ve been given an amazing deal”. I will be very annoyed with Mahoney if he drops the two first round picks deal. We should be bargaining hard for 5 + 12 and below. We can send back a second or third rounder if they want but I don’t like the idea of us swapping future first round picks next year. We have to be willing to walk away from the table if they don’t satisfy us.