So it seems the whole football world, AFL writers, former players and other sports journos thinks we should pay overs for an injured forward and accept unders for our bullet-proof, dual club champion?
What a surprise? Not.
The cracks are already appearing with Melbourne as initially they wanted two high, first round picks for Hogan (I’ll, rather kindly, call that an ambit claim) and now they say they want another late first round pick to go with our current offer of pick 11. I also think our initial offer was low ball but that’s how this game is played.
Hogan has genuine reasons to return to his native state (though I’m sure Nissy would disagree as he doesn’t want to go there) following several years of hardship in Melbourne with the loss of his father, his own cancer battle, etc.
LN wants to go to BrisVegas to chase money & the Captaincy - for mercenary reasons, if you would.
So in those circumstances who should be expected to pay overs? Brissie or us? Clearly Brissie.
Whether Beams leaves or not makes no difference to how desperate they are to secure LN. Should Lachie go public he only strengthen Freo’s hand just like Weller last year. All this talk of him leaving via FA next year is also BS. He’ll be a RESTRICTED free agent - so he can’t just walk as some in the medja and on here think - so if Freo match the offer Brissie will still have to trade for him.
I feel no empathy at all for Cowboy and his desire to leave. He’s in contract and can be kept to it if push comes to shove.
The same could be argued in Hogan’s case, except he’s looking to come home for family & personal reasons, will leave when his contract ends next year and there is no FA compensation in play for Melbourne.
Fair dinkum, some of you need to take a Bex and have a little lie down.
Just because we’ve unsuccessfully chased a few forwards (most of whom did nothing after rejecting our overtures) and successfully chased a few forwards who did little for us - we should sell the farm in order to get two locals who have both nominated us as their destination??
Bollocks to that.
For those who have, let’s say, very little confidence in Steve - the next week will make or break him. If he stuffs this up and we lose LN for unders but pay overs (or worse, miss altogether) Hogan & Lobb - then you’ll be looking for a new escaped goat this time next week.
Stuffing up in the temporary role of List Manager would almost certainly cripple his CEOship and another senior off-field post May become vacant.
But I’m as sure as hell Belly doesn’t want to go the same way barely 2 weeks into his new job - and on he alone I have faith we’ll all be dissecting on here next week how 2 years in a row the Docker’s came out on top in Trade Week.
The alternative would just confirm the naysayers view we are a hopeless club, run by idiots with no genuine plan in place.
See, everyone’s a winner!!?
