The Good: I've always been a big Hogan fan and I'm stoked to see him in purple. I wanted us to go harder at getting him when he was available as a priority signing ahead of the draft but we never showed much interest. He's a jet and if he gets on the field, he'll drag his teammates with him towards finals contention.
The Bad: Bringing in Lobb. He's not young and doesn't offer anything we don't already have. His form has been average, he's copped a lot of pretty serious injuries and I'm not sure he'll flourish under a RL structure. What we could have potentially had in Rankine or one of the other talls is a huge opportunity missed and I wouldn't have downgraded our selections from pick 5 or 6 to Lobb and a later first round pick. Between Tabs and Ape, I would have hoped we'd be fine up forward now Hogan's here.
The Biggest Question: How do we structure up and will it change RL's tactics (haha, who am I kidding, he never changes)?
Deal or No Deal:
i. Reece Conca (for three years): I don't see him adding much but sure, another small mid who can't kick.
ii. Jesse Hogan and #64 for Picks #6 and #23: In a heartbeat.
iii. Pick 6, Pick 19 and Pick 55 for Lachie Neale and Pick 30: I would've liked to hold pick 30 but if he's going, he's going.
iv. Rory Lobb, Pick 14, Pick 43 and Pick 47 for Pick 11 and Pick 19: No deal.
v. Colyer. No deal, another small mid who isn't a great kick and struggles to find the footy.
Overall: 7/10 anchors for Bell although I think Hogan did most of the work.
As for a dockerland meet up, we gather for a few post DuFFLe beers at the end of each season. The more the merrier in future but I'll warn you, Mercury will drink you dry.
