Ouch!

Two things, firstly would Hogan be heading off to Bali on a surfing trip if there is any doubt with his 'Medical' with Freo? Secondly I can't see Josh Mahoney GOING to the media saying that he expects it will be one of the more expensive trades ever were to move to Freo. Sounds to me that Peter Bell is trying to get across the state of their list ASAP, and whether there are other issues that he has to tick off before they can process Hogan, Lobb and Neale in and out of the club. Looks like a power play going on behind the scenes at Freo! (Not sure if Bell v Lyon v Rosich, or Bell v Lyon/Rosich) Feels like the latter, and that Bell might have been put in there by the board. With all that said it's a horrible look that the CEO is looking after list management .... Bell is their footy manager, they don't have a list manager currently. Club is looking very reactive atm! If we pull off a trade with Freo for Hogan, I'd almost be tempted to request 5 and next years first round pick, cos there is a chance you could land the 2019 number 1 pick out of the trade.. EDIT: This is purely speculation on my point.... so it's possibly as accurate as what a lot of the journo's are putting out there!

... the starting point is Freo and Lachie Neale, followed by Hogan saying he wants to move. They have 3 first round picks to play with (if you look at next years pick too.) If they want Lobb and Hogan coming in, I suspect that these three picks go out the door, you might get some change coming back the other way, or you have to lose a quality player along with the trade.

it doesn't have any bearing.... also we might have offered Pruess a 4 year deal at 300k. It's not a big contract, but it's a contract with job security. With that said,... with a lot of clubs looking for rucks at the moment, West Coast, Richmond, etc... I don't quite understand coming to play behind Gawn.

.... Hardball? Perhaps I am being naive but Hogan hasn't said anything to the MFC, so neither club knows his intentions. Freo don't look like they are budging on Neale leaving.... which limits what they have to play with too! I don't think Freo has indicated anything about what they plan on offering for Hogan, it's purely media speculation and rubbish out of mouths of people like Sam Maclure that has driven this at this point.

Sad we couldn’t get him, but still don’t really like free agency! So I guess I am glad to see players resist and show loyalty.

It would be a disaster to accept a single pick, however there is no reason to suggest that Freo don't offer pick 5 and next years first year pick would be similar type of pick (5-9)

the stupid thing with Maclures argument isn't that we might have to give up pick 5 to land May. Most people expect that is likely to be the case... it's thats he is making trade 1 = trade 2. Trade 2 is between the MFC and the Gold Coast. Trade 1 is the trade for Hogan is with Freo, and we should land pick 5, but Melbourne demand and expect more than just that. I don't think that the muppet knows how to do maths.... yet he is taking pot shots at Dal Santo for spelling!

I can't stand listening to him, but I can't turn it off. Been a long week, trying to get to the end of the day, and I think I'm being fuelled by my hatred of him to get me there!

Yet all of these other trades on the table such as Shiel, McGovern, even Neale... they are all under contract and the consensus you hear from most list managers is that it takes a little more to shake a player loose when under contract. Who cares if he'll go home anyway, it's irrelevant. Bryce Gibbs got done for 2 first round picks... I mean really is he even remotely comparable? Sam McClure doesn't get attention unless he says something controversial to make people notice. Watch this space, I bet that if we secure 2 first rounders or anything more than just pick 5. McClueless will come out and state that he thinks that it's a fair deal for both parties and thats what he expected the outcome to be all along!

At this time of the year people like Sam McClure show up how little they actually know about player value. All they are interested in is seeing trades actually happen, rumours being floated, and activity in general. There is no risk in this draft/trade journalism because if it doesn't happen there are so many excuses that they can fall back upon. Simple facts Hogan when compared to other key forward greats is tracking better statistically than most of them. He's had multiple 40+ goal seasons whilst often not playing the whole season. Hogan is still only 23, he's got the bulk of his career ahead of him, he's coming into his prime. Treloar was traded for 2 first round picks (7 and 7 in the following year) and key forwards rate much higher than midfielders in terms of trade value. Freo are desperate for a quality key forward, and they are the ones who need to pay overs to get him out of contract a year early. Melbourne don't have to trade him, and if we get him to honour the contract I have no doubt West Coast will become interested next year. No doubt in my mind that the MFC are definitely in the box seat for this trade, we are going to accommodate an offer by Freo if Hogan wants to head home, but we are not giving him away for nothing. The only thing that would see us accepting a single pick would be if there is a player, worth a first round pick, being thrown as part of the deal instead. Which could play out if they are desperate to get Lobb in as well. My only concern is that Lyon is saying 2 first round picks. I'd be saying 2 top 10 picks and one needs to be around the 5 or 6 mark.

Not if we already had the money for him factored in.... Mahoney said two more upgrades didn’t he?

Have to agree with this. We have a chance to trade someone like Hogan who wants to return to WA for possibly something quite remarkable. if it secures two top 10 picks that allow us to pick up May, KK and still retain a high pick, to possibly offload some salary and secure Gaff... that could potentially be an incredible return!! considering losing him and still having TMac and Weid up front, strengthening our defence and possible getting two players who can play on the outside with pace with good foot skills... and still with a top 10 pick in the pocket to play with. One player can unlock that for the club... remember we also have some picks likely to come back in for both Kent and possibly Vanders as well!

Weid might not be good for all 47, but it should be expected that he covers at least 25-30 of them. So don't be too dramatic about the impact. Hogan will also replace one of their forwards who has no doubt kicked some goals this year. That being the case, there is still a shortfall we would need to find, however what happened this year is that other's stepped up and kicked goals in his absence, it's likely to make the forward line less predicable, Gawn, Melk, Fritsch, ANB will all need to be able to cover some of the difference. It's not as terrible as it sounds.

I agree completely. If Hogan wants to head back to WA, which admittedly is contrary to a lot of the media this year. If he is offered a monster deal in excess of 1mil per season, and Freo are going to offer up two top 10 picks, that is hard to ignore. Equally it could also have a couple of spin off benefits. Firstly could we secure May, who is certainly an upgrade in defence for us along with Lever returning next year. Secondly it is likely to free up salary space to make a late play for Gaff to disrupt North's plans for him. Depending on how much we have to pay for May. We don't have Vince and I'm still not sure whether Lewis could be quietly asked to consider taking up a coaching role in 2019 with the club. At the end of it, if we enabled us to pinch Gaff, May and bring in Pruess along with a top 10 pick. Could anyone complain? (Except my 13 yr old daughter who has bit of a crush for Jesse!)

Agree! Been a very long time since I’ve been Rick Rolled! A classic!

Fixed.... looks like you were in a bit of a timewarp. At least this makes a lot more sense!

.... and lets face it at the end of the day you play the position that you are told to. We all know how it worked out for Howe moving to Collingwood, he wanted to be a forward, thats why he moved. Roos had him pegged in defence prior to leaving us. Howe goes over,.... played a handful of games in attack, Buckley moved him back and it was apparently a 'masterstroke' I'm fairly confident we are still in the mix for Gaff, and thats purely based on the fact we are still in the finals, we are an attractive team with a huge upside and future. We won't offer the money that Nth will, but we will offer a better chance for a premiership which is a currency in of itself.

Which sounds a little odd, given that Gaff and Polec would be drafted in by North for one reason only, and that is the Outside hard running wingman roles. Don't know if North need any inside mids currently? Cunnington and co seem to be doing ok in there...

... Thats probably how $cully remembers the trip to China with Max!!!! hehe!

Absolutely I'd have him back. ....... *cough* ....... nah, just kidding! I couldn't even keep a straight face whilst trying to type that! hahaha.

Yessssssss!

Joooones! Good boy! Let’s bury them now!!

That’s harsh! It’s a high pressure final.... I’ve seen way worse games.... we are absolutely killing them everywhere except the scoreboard.... that said if we win by a point and it is the worst game of the year.... I’ll take it!

Weren’t we leading by 23 at 3qtr time in round 18 against the Cats!! Lets see what they have learned!!

Bradshaw and Oliver dominating! But they are panicking with disposal.... breathe boys!!