As the first week of the 2018 AFL trade period draws to a close the futures of several star AFL players remain unclear, none more so than that of Jesse Hogan.
Late on Friday afternoon Fremantle’s head of football Peter Bell announced that the Dockers had decided not to continue their pursuit of Hogan.
“We have been undertaking a due diligence process as part of a possible trade to secure Jesse Hogan,” said Bell.
“As part of that process, we have had discussions with Jesse, the player’s management and Melbourne.
“While discussions were proceeding it became clear that what Melbourne would be seeking for a trade would not be possible for our club to meet.
“As such, we have informed Melbourne and Jesse’s management that we will not be continuing further with the due diligence process.”
(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)
This followed a confirmation from Melbourne’s football boss Josh Mahoney earlier in the day that Hogan had requested a trade to the Dockers.
“Basically, if Fremantle want to get Jesse Hogan, they know the deal they have to give for us and Jesse’s aware of that,” said Mahoney.
It’s clear that the two clubs are at an impasse but most of the talk from those in the know is that this is far from being a dead deal.
Most of the speculation in the media is that this is just a rather public bluff from Fremantle, in the hopes the Melbourne will lower their asking price.
What exactly is that asking price? While it was originally reported that Melbourne wanted two first-round picks from the Dockers, the most recent news is that they’re asking for less than that.
The Demons would reportedly be happy to accept a combination of picks 5 and 23 from Fremantle in exchange for Hogan, with pick 5 to be procured via the trade of Lachie Neale to Brisbane.
This is where things get complicated as Fremantle have made it abundantly clear that they don’t want to engage in a trade for Neale, while Neale reportedly told the Dockers today that he has played his last game for them.
Perhaps if Brisbane and Fremantle are able to come to an arrangement it could set off a quick-fire succession of big-name trades.
Melbourne’s ability to broker a trade for Gold Coast’s Steven May could indeed hang in the balance.
The other consideration is how the Hogan camp will react to this move. While the bluff could land Fremantle the deal they want, it also comes at the risk of alienating Hogan.
Murky waters indeed, and all that can be said for sure is that there’s a lot left to play out here, but I’d be very surprised if this turns out to be the last we hear of a Jesse Hogan trade.
(Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Also making headlines on Friday was confirmation of something that has been quietly rumoured for a while now: Tom Scully would like to come home to Victoria.
From reports early this morning, what seems most likely is that Scully will make his way to Hawthorn, and the Hawks won’t have to give up too much at the trade table.
There are believed to be ongoing concerns about the ankle Scully injured during the year and GWS are more concerned with finding a club that can take his salary on than one with a lot of trade currency.
However it was also reported later in the afternoon that St Kilda had met with Scully and his management to discuss the potential of him joining the Saints.
Scully’s management reportedly informed St Kilda that Scully preferred to go to a club closer to a premiership, with a few potential destinations on his wishlist.
All in all it’s believed that Scully, the Giants and Hawks are all happy to get the deal done, so it seems likely that will happen.
Of course the big question is whether or not this has any impact on Hawthorn’s pursuit of Chad Wingard and the likely impending departure of Ryan Burton.
It was reported today that Port Adelaide staffers have flown to the USA where Burton is on holiday to conduct a medical, giving an insight into just how much of a twist this has been for Burton.
The 21-year-old is said to be ‘shattered’ at Hawthorn’s willingness to trade him and it’s still not clear how this deal will play out.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Four trades were completed on Friday with the biggest being the arrival of Dan Hannebery at the St Kilda Saints.
Sydney traded Hannebery and pick 28 in this year’s draft to the Saints for pick 39 and St Kilda’s 2019 second-rounder.
It appears to be a great value get for the Saints – they’ve paid less at the trade table for a three-time All Australian and premiership player than they did for Nathan Freeman.
If Hannebery is able to stay on the park, play quality football and provide leadership and mentoring during his five-year contract at the club, he’ll have been a bargain.
Will Setterfield officially moved from the GWS Giants to Carlton, becoming the eleventh former GWS player the Giants have welcomed onto their list.
Carlton sent their 2019 second-round pick and pick 43 to the Giants, receiving Setterfield and pick 71 in return.
Braydon Preuss got his wish for a trade to Melbourne, being packaged up along with pick 62 and Dom Tyson coming to North Melbourne in return.
The Dees also traded Dean Kent to St Kilda in exchange for pick 65.
The free agency window also officially came to a close at the end of the day, with no more movements made on that front.
That means the likes of Daniel Menzel, Taylor Duryea, Jordan Roughead and George Horlin-Smith will now all have to move clubs either via trade or delisted free agency if they are to find new homes.
paul cotton
Guest
an astute comment GOM- go through the Afl list and its chockers of midfielders- my team has 3 handy ones oliver/Brayshaw/viney- look at other teams Pendlebury/trloar/adams shuey/gaff Mitchell dusty Cotchin Cripps sellwood Dangerfield Ziebell Sloane etc etc etc - the afl is chockers absolutely loaded with talented midfielders. Neale is a class palyer absolutely no doubt. I get this concern with hogans Nav. More than happy to keep him. but for freo to piss him his manager & the Demons club off is not progressive or sensible recruiting. Freo shouldn't sell the farm for Hogan but to say he is worth 2 first round picks & Hogan isn't well sorry but midfieders are common & yes you can rave about how good he is but Hogan working will win you many many more games than lachie neale having a great game will
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
With everyone writing off Freo as a badly managed joke of a club that no one wants to go to and supposedly carrying a coach past his use by date, one thing is near certain. Get on Freo for top 8 in 2019. Most media loudmouths are mostly wrong most of the time.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
GWS could potentially meet Hawthorn in a cut throat final in 2019. Why would they make them stronger for the measly pick 51 and not have sent Scully to Carlton who won't be a threat?
Peter grassel
Guest
Neale left because the fact Benell and McCarthy earnt more combined then he did、 both are useless one has problems the theft a useless work rate. Freo. Ppl saying no one wants to go there. Hamling hill Wilson lobbe Conca hogan. U guys say some stupid things. For a wa side. Players are flocking to Freo Bell is smart. Playing hard ball. Why be forced into a trade when we are rebuilding. Other trades will benefit more next year from these trades. Go bell go Freo. Neale to Brisbane is done And hogan and lobbe to Freo are done
Fairsuckofthesav
Roar Rookie
Not quite so melodramatic Don Freo just saying there needs to be more give and take.. a ho heave to the heave ho ????
User
Roar Rookie
Yes we who apply Occam's razor to the scenarios unfolding are truly blind and there must be much more complex and convoluted reasoning that reflects Freo in a brighter light at the heart of everything that has unfolded over last two months. Cheers for the clarification dal.
User
Roar Rookie
Roflmao nah sorry donny boy, providing small and insignificant moments that are over quicker than they start is not pleasure at all. She much prefers the longer and more satisfying way in which I respond to your inevitable premature and small excuses for jibes.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
I've said this before. There's player value and then there's trade value. Both somewhat subjective, but one (trade value) has more variables than the other. Plus if someone could can tell me the percentage of navicular injuries that have easy trouble free outcomes that'd be something.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Your wife comes to me for her pleasure? Why does that not surprise me. You have just declared another of your limitations.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
What embarrasses you? Surely you are unaffected by any of it.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Chill. It's all about who considers what fair value, which includes who has the most hand. Melbourne seems to be pushing Hogan (who has a very dicey navicular injury that rarely has a straightforward prognosis) out the door. They also need currency for May. Through all that Melbourne were pushing for the biggest trade of all time and two top 10 craft picks (they quickly, unofficially, claimed much much less than that after Freo drew a line in the sand by walking out of the showroom). Brisvegas lured Neal, whom Freo would love to keep. Freo also is likely to bolster it's forward stocks with Lobb for whom they require a pick they don't currently have to ensure it. Freo are perfectly entitled to hold their ground, and aim for what they see as optimum outcomes and see who blinks first.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Hahaha. We shall see.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
I'll quite happily keep my powder dry on making any premature releases on Freo's strategic path. Freo got their attention that's for sure. There's the bonus chuckles at certain media drama queens' hystrionics and those that blindly have bought into their narrative.
User
Roar Rookie
Gawd doesn't take much effort to read your blabbering to them as nor does it take courage (wow your measure of what courage is alarms somewhat) to read what my reply is to your delusion. I have no limitations Donny boy so you needn't worry. Glad you are so adept at embarrassing yourself that you've kept my beautiful wife, awesome son and myself amused with many guffaws at your child like tantrums.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
This is embarrassing from both of you tbh ;)
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You wouldn't be courageous enough to show this to your wife and kids. They would be devastated with embarrassment. Fancy advertising to the world the kind of limitations you have. They would cringe...unless you are married to Jonboy and 13th man and anon are your kids.
Paul cotton
Guest
I think you will find Hoges is done and dusted with Freo now. His manager and he are ropable with freo behaviour They have actively sought this player for some years now and when every thing is moving positively towards a good solution they basically spit in the player and clubs face. Who would really want to go this club.??? Its interesting to note the cats player wanting to move back to wa will NOT consider freo as an option. Mmmm that's telling hey!!!
User
Roar Rookie
Highly possible it all pans out but I don't see anything more than pick 5 for Neale, he's a extremely good player but isn't yet in that top echelon, maybe he will be in the top five onballers over coming years but imo is probably somewhere in the range of 15-25.
ScottD
Roar Guru
I predict Freo will do the Neal deal late for 5 plus a early 2nd round pick. They will then do the Hogan deal for 5 . Along the way they will also pick up Lobb. That will leave them with a net gain and they can also have a crack in the draft.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Neale is the clubs best and fairest for 2 of last 4 years and IMO is arguably one of the top 5 midfielders in the competition. Is Hogan rated the same way? Freo should expect a top 5 pick for Neale plus a high 2nd round pick due to the fact that a high draft pick is not great compensation for a b&f player yet to reach his prime. If they were offered that then they would probably agree. Hogan is very good and Freo wants him but nobody is saying that he is top 5 in his role nor is he a b&f player. He also has an injury history. I can see him being worth a high (top 10) pick but only if he comes with a 2nd round pick which I struggle see being put on the table as yet. A fairly strong draft and some very good young players coming through this year also complicates the scenario for Freo. They may be happy with Lobb and 3 draft picks in the top 25. Who knows? A lot of water to flow under the bridge yet and I still think that Freo will look to trade Neale and Hogan and Lobb and keep a top 10 picks plus 2-3 2nd round picks up their sleeve. It will be interesting. Maybe Belly has been watching Kevin Costner in Draft Day?