Pirlo

You have GOT to be kidding me...

Essendrug - weak pun at best.

Yeah I don't disagree, I just think Ox is an emotive person and has run with what he's heard. My thoughts are that Hogan is as likely to leave as he is to say. He's a relaxed guy who probably isn't thinking too concretely about two years down the line.

The fact that Ox brought up money tells me that he's heard Jesse is going, going or gone. I recall him doing similar to Scully, but not to anyone else in our colours. The positive thing is is that he probably hasn't heard the rumour from the club, we're pretty watertight under PJ, Bartlett and Roos, and that it might just be recycled media [censored].

There's a difference between playing a bit of basketball, and trying to dunk after coming off a knee reco. If he'd been shooting threes, or even just playing for a bit of fun, then nothing would have come of it. As it stands, he took the risk of trying to land on his feet after a two or three metre fall and has clearly paid the price.

We'll still win this one when it comes down to fitness, but McDonald has just given them two goals in a row and Goodwin should give him a very public display about holding the club to ransom if he wants to play like this.

That's what worries me. If he'd said from the start that they wouldn't be negotiating until after the CBA, then that's fine. As things stand, they've been at it for a few months and either the club aren't fronting the money (unlikely) or he just doesn't think he wants to stay.

I reckon he'll go, sadly, and have thought so for some time. Its the risk of drafting interstate players, not that the Bleeding Hearts who support Freo/WCE will admit (but, but, but we lost Dylan Roberton ). The narrative of "talking", "maybe negotiating" and "putting off talks" has been seen too many times and rarely works with the exception of players like Cloke who are openly after a payday that their clubs aren't willing to offer until they have to. Two things have led me to think this: He can write his own cheque here, for as many years as he wants. His manager referencing the reforming CBA is a positive, but then could also be the most convenient excuse for a person in the snake oil industry that is AFL player management. Every time he's been asked whether he likes Melbourne, he never really answers yes. I asked him two years ago whether he missed Perth/preferred Melbourne and he pretty much point blank said he missed and preferred Perth but likes Melbourne. At this stage, I think we're going to need a massive, massive year and to make finals - or he'll ask Mahoney to trade him. He doesn't seem like the kind of guy who'll hold us to ransom; loves the club for what it is and will drive a fair price for his own head. I just reckon he'd rather be surfing in Scarborough on his days off, rather than heading up to Torquay every six weeks and hanging out in the city when training is off. Club comes first every time, but if we go backwards/Goodwin ends up being poor - we could see repeats of 2008 doomsday scenarios :(. Lets just hope he does re-sign, and that Weideman is bloody good.

Jack Darling slept with a girl in a tent on school camp. This guy is pulling this rubbish the week before he's due a massive contract. At his size, his career could really go either way, with his decision making he's clearly on the back foot now.

Went down to the kick to kick and had really good time. There was something for everyone really, within the bounds of kick to kick. Plenty of cameras, and once the kick was well underway with about 20 on each side, the players could talk to the kids and parents a bit. Jesse came around and said goodbye when he was off, which was a nice touch. Daisy and Robbo stayed till the end too. Jack left early, but did most of the kicking after every camera was pointed on Hogan and nothing on him. Think the club nailed it today. Hope this is the start of us stopping feeling sorry for ourselves and pulling ahead of the pack.

Jetta is excellent at what he does. He's not an A-grade player because small defenders rarely are. rpfc makes a good point.

Cringed as soon as I saw this come up...

There are concerns over his workrate, not his talent. Worth a rookie slot.

Shallow means lack of depth, rather than weak at the top. I think its a good deal, provided we pick hard players that can kick or one of those and a key forward prospect.

Goddard was pretty bad in his first few years, IIRC.

I always point to what Garland did in 2013 when Frawley went down with a pec (?) and Dunn was still a hack forward. He played a traditional CHB role and absolutely monstered a bunch of power forwards. He is a competitive animal, a good leader, and very versatile. His kicking lets him down sometimes, but only because we know he can do better than TMac does. Truth be told, and I have said this for years, he needs to be playing tall to get the most out of himself. Than again, how good is it having a guy who can comfortably take bigs and smalls with minimum fuss? Delighted he has signed, he reminds me of a slightly better Michael Firrito and he's played 250+ and counting.

I think we need some quality midfield depth at the top-end, and then you might be right. Doesn't surprise me that Howe and maybe Watts/Grimes are tradebait. Get picks, turn picks into good mature players. Maybe even get a couple of late teen/early 20 picks and trade six instead?

Only relevant point there is exonerating Dean, but even he is now seen as having been a nice bloke whose hand was forced and that narrative is fine by me.

He got 39 touches against Freo in Perth!

"Not offered a new deal by the club". Well done Roosy and co...

Cross is 100% not the problem when it comes to leadership. His body is failing him now, so hopefully he can reinvent himself one last time. The leadership shown by Jones, Vince, Garland, Garlett, Dunn etc. was deplorable, absolutely no movement off the ball and completely silent. Thought Grimes, McDonald and Dawes were the only three experiences players who moved and tried to make things happen though only the latter played particularly well. Most concerning thing for me is that the young players are picking up some of the habits. Brayshaw gave up running a lot yesterday, Hogan has a strop when things aren't going perfectly, Stretch and ANB shied away from taking responsibility when we needed them to. Its systematic and its concerning.

Which one? Think Matt has been good, Nathan terrible.

23 goals in 14 games. Not exactly much to crow about. Very middling.

That was necessary. Forget about the first 5 mins, lets get going.

Our players think its opposite day.