Ouch!

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!!

Umpires too scared to blow the whistle!! If the free is there blow it!

How is that not deliberate!!!

Ok, positive post now.... we are still smashing them and kept them to 16 points in the half. Their middle tier players next to useless... Gawn not dominating, can and has to lift in the second half....

Half time is about telling the players to keep doing the same thing again for another 60 minutes!! Just trust the system. The Goals will come! That quarter was worthy of 6-8 goals!

Should be 50 in front!! Dammitt

I’ve got that feeling that this quarter is going to hurt us later tonight!!! FFS!

C’mon Dees we are smashing them!! Need to kill them on the scoreboard!

And.... how many of us are thinking about how this could turn nasty! bloody great first quarter.... smashing them all over the ground. Ablett looks slow, Weid and TMac super impressive.

There was conversation last week that indicated that Viney could spend a bit of time up forward, which I took to indicate more that they might limit his midfield minutes, more than him playing as a forward. My prediction: Out: Kent and JKH In: Viney and Hannan JKH did play well against GWS, but came in as an emergency for Hannan at the last minute, Hannan proved his fitness and had a very strong game in the VFL, and wisely managed his minutes . JKH will be unlucky to miss, but that could be said for a number of players at the moment.

Gawn, fantastic article, passionate Dee and just Brilliant!