Jaded No More

I said he was my big improver for 2016, and I'm glad he proved me right. For such a slight frame, he isn't afraid to go hard. He always finds time and space, and gees he can use it. Reminds me of Watts in terms of footy smarts and ball use. Massive upside too.

He had sooky tendencies last year. I pointed them out on this board and got shot down. I think he just feels more comfortable on the field now, so there is perhaps a sense of entitlement to complain more than he did last year. His body language has gotten better the longer the season has gone on, but he is not a perfect player and anyone who refuses to see that is just being blinded by the potential. Is he an amazing talent? Yes. Is he playing beyond his years and experience? Yes. Does he need to do better defensively and watch his body language? Yes.

It would probably be a cheaper option than buying him a gold mansion and filling it with naked ladies who feed him grapes all day

Season is basically done. We are going into the 4 hardest weeks of the season without arguably our best player. Good times.

I've been in Russia this week. It took me 6 hours to download the second half of the game against the GC. What a win! Putin seems to not care for Jesse Hogan, so can someone summarize for me what all the drama is about? Has he gone to Perth to "look at the facilities"?

Don't get me started on this [censored] home game at Etihad against a team that plays all their home games at Etihad, thus having a complete advantage. Awesome work by the AFL yet again.

Not ideal for my stress levels, but makes perfect sense If he's worth a million a year now, just imagine what he will be worth this time next year. He has two years left. If he signs with a year to go, that's pretty good. Here is hoping we start getting our [censored] together on the field. It's the only way to keep our good players, not just Jesse.

Kid probably tackled his own placenta on the way out. Had 3 weeks off for rough conduct.

The consequence of a doctor breaking the rules are slightly more severe than players taking banned substances. And even then it is nearly impossible to get a doctor banned for life from the profession. Murderers don't even get life sentences here. To say that players should be banned for life is very harsh given it was a club driven program

Stop it. I am having so much FOMO right now. Round 1 is going to be exciting. Goosebump stuff if/when Trenners returns to the field.

The face of a 10 year old, the body of a 30 year old who spends his weekdays pumping iron and his weekends sinking [censored]. Confusing all around. His highlight package though is pretty phenomenal.

All these kids look 12 to me. Also now I'm going to spend the next 6 months trying to learn how to spell Sam's surname correctly #draftstruggles #firstworldfootyproblems

Welcome Sam. Hope you don't mind sharing the limelight with some kid named Jesse May your love blossom for one another and may your date nights involve decapitating key position defenders together.

Welcome to Melbourne Clayton I look forward to 10 years of Oliver vs Parish threads Buckle up kid, and whatever you do stay away from Demonland

I hope my royalty cheque is in the mail!

If his recruitment alone makes Salem a better player and a midfielder, it was worth it. I rate Salem only behind Hogan & Brayshaw for talent* *Apologies to Petracca- waiting to see him in action

I don't really know how to describe how I feel about this deal. This just about sums it up

My Essendon friend just laughed at me over the trade. It's been a long time since he's had any reason to laugh. I don't like it.

Clark has been a bust, but we were criminally screwed in that trade given Clark's potential ceiling. He came with high risk, high reward factor. Lumumba has also been a massive disappointment. He was a low risk low reward.

I read the first 6 words and nearly vomited Salem to play midfield. Salem NOT moving anywhere. Phew!

Well this thread has gone to [censored]

I also love that Jack Viney is not Cale Morton

So what happens if he gets banned by WADA?

Oh Essendon, the drugs have really gone to your head I'll throw in Dean Terlich to sweeten the deal! The funniest thing about all this, is one of my best mates is a die hard Essendon supporter. When the rumour of this broke, he texted me, and I quote: "Melksham- will trade for a stale packet of salt & vinegar chips. Will bring his own footy".