Well done Morgan - many hindsight experts. Maybe me included.
The Good: Hogan, trading back into the draft.
The Bad: Sad to see Lachie go and he is / will be a huge loss. But I don't think they could have prevented it. Ross is still the coach.
The Biggest Question: Due diligence. Was it sufficient on Hogan's foot? If this turns out to be no, then this trade period could all go to bust.
Deal or No Deal:
i. Reece Conca (for three years): Deal, on the basis that he didn't cost us anything and we need some older heads in the squad. However, this guy is fair to meddling at best. Watched him spray too many kicks in the prelim and he reminds me of Pearce. I think he will cop heat on this board however I can see the value he adds to the squad.
ii. Jesse Hogan and #64 for Picks #6 and #23: Yes, yes and yes and I would have thrown in next years first round selection (i.e. they did well to get Hogan for what they did)
iii. Pick 6, Pick 19 and Pick 55 for Lachie Neale and Pick 30: Technically, yes. He was on the way out the door anyway. When faced with the conundrum of do you make him play the last year of the contract or do you let him go and secure the draft picks and pick up Hogan, the answer has to be "deal". But he is a very very big loss
iv. Rory Lobb, Pick 14, Pick 43 and Pick 47 for Pick 11 and Pick 19: No deal. I think this guy won't produce much more than we got from say Hendrix when he rested in the forward line. I think Tabs offers more as a lead up CHF style player.
Also Colyer - never seen the guy play. But came pretty cheap. So "deal".
Overall: 10/10 anchors for Bell.
Traded back in the draft, lost Lachie who was out the door anyway, but managed to bring in some other talent.