PaulRB

On the NT games and our presence in NT, am I right In thinking that the MFC have an “academy”in the NT, and if so, what potential benefit does that give us? And are there any kids coming through our NT academy that are good? Would love to discover another Liam..!

After years in the wilderness and crap fixtures we’re back, playing (arguably) the best brand of attacking footy and have a team with characters who genuinely entertain. So it’s time for the AFL to give us the fixture we deserve and have earned. ????

Our last two Friday night games were at 90k+ each, so the AFL should be open to giving us more...

Given Tyson is now Preuss it depends on how this big boy fares...!

I agree with the wisdom of waiting a couple of seasons to rate a trade period. And given that, if we were to rate our trade efforts of 2015, 2016 & 2017 now, did we trade well..? Id say yes, and that gives me confidence that this years trade period will also bare quality fruit.

I think Hogan’s output is covered with the addition of May (22 more goals stopped), and another forward (or collection of) kicking 25 in Hogan’s spot in the forward 50... there’s Hogan’s tally covered. Its the year on year improvement to Trac, Vanders, Spargo, Hannan and Weidemann (plus Oliver resting forward) that will cover the “Hogan deficit”... A new season and an improving team.

There was a moment at the end of the GF when Westcoast almost scored the slam dunk goal to seal the game, and Jeremy arrived late, knowing they where done and his look of anguish was so heartfelt I almost forgave him for leaving... almost. Then the Eagles won and I laughed at how sweetly cruel the footy gods can be...

That article has KK as “195 cm” ...?!

With Tommy and Weide playing good big forward finals footy and with our strength and size issues down back, rebalancing our list with Hogan for May is a big strategic win. Could well be the final piece. And we kept Vanders..! Winners wont be clear till well into next season, and I’m backing that we’ve nailed it.

Glad the circus that was “will Hogan stay or go” has moved on, was over it and we need all players at the MFC 100% on board in 2019 if we,re going to have a serious tilt at glory. Go Demons.

If it increases our chances of a flag (which I believe it does), then it was a good trade...

If this year is done and Jessie doesn’t sign an extension (ie likely to leave next year), we play him back to fill the role we’d have got May to play. Would only add to his value, more defensive skills and application, plus enables us to play our long term forward structure...

Yeah maybe, but meh!! Really Jessie, you’re in this business for cash not flags..? That’s sad.

Bell and Freo are in the classic bind, lose Neald to get Hogan, means a weaker midfield to gain a stronger forward line... and as we know without a quality midfield the best forwards in the league won’t win you games of footy. We should have anticipated this (as should have Hogan and his manager). Core question for me is WHY? Why does Hogan want to leave us as we set up to play finals and have a realistic crack at immortality to go to a crappy Freo? Why?

Wouldn’t surprise me it Sydney has a tilt at Hogan...

Was ok with Jesse staying or leaving, but the longer this drags out I find myself getting a bit irritable that he’s putting his fans through it (again)... that said don’t know the full story, so prepare to park it till I hear more.

When will it end

The cold reality is Freo’s list is average, one of their best mids wants out, and to get guaranteed talent in (Hogan) they’ll need to trade out of the first round of this years draft, further exacerbating their list issues. Theyre between a rock and a hard place, and I scratch my head wondering why Jesse might want to join them there.

A club players don’t want to go to unless they’re asked, because they’d struggle to get a game...

Reality is that Freo need Hogan now, delay, and the Eagles loom as viable alternative. And Freo need this deal more than MFC, we’re now top 4 irrespective and perhaps capable of acquiring May even with Hogan on the books. Freo’s Picks 5&6 gets it done, any less and we wait. Commentariat proposing less are afraid of how strong we’ve become, and how we only become stronger with two top ten picks to “rebalance” our list.

Off your high horse Pro, if his coaches want to trade him for a third round pick then they don’t rate him, despite your superior wisdom. If we pick him up our coaches are backing themselves to get value where Dees crew have failed or given up.

I put KK in same category as Ports acquisition of Mr Watts last year... a bet against exposed form based on pedigree (draft pick, “talent”, etc)... and Jack was getting games in a middle of the road team, whereas Kk struggling in a cellar dweller...

I’d have thought until the Eagles finished finals we (and other suitors) would have been told to “stay away”... now it’s time to mak e our play, as if he’s leaving the West as seems evident, it’s fairly likely he’d consider us a good option, assuming the numbers at North are not too insane...

The way he stood up in the first half vs Eagle in the Prelim reinforced my view that he’s built for finals and is the type of player (like Stewart Dew circa 2008), who can impact and change a big game with sheer physicality, tenacity and drive towards goal. Those who recommend him being pushed out by Fritz or KK evidently missed how brutally physical finals are to play in and win.

Agree, no enthusiasm or interest in today’s game. Still grieving we came up short.