Fremantle, the AFL club in the midst of delicately-placed trade negotiations on several fronts, have been warned about the dangers of getting “too cute” as they pursue Jesse Hogan and Rory Lobb.
The fourth day of the league’s trade period brought plenty of talk but only one deal, which was a declaration of the Dockers’ intent.
Fremantle swapped their first-round selection (No.6) and a future third-round selection to Port Adelaide, who parted with picks No.11, 23, 30 and 49.
The acquisition of two second-round picks allowed the Dockers to start meaningful dialogue with GWS regarding ruckman Rory Lobb, who requested a trade home to Perth last week.
A Lobb deal is widely expected to be completed before Wednesday night’s deadline.
The Dockers’ latest attempt to sign Hogan, who underwent a medical in Perth last week before heading overseas for a holiday, is proving more tricky.
The Demons are believed to be seeking two first-round picks in exchange for Hogan, whose current contract runs until the end of the 2019 season.
Fremantle, who are set to receive Brisbane’s pick No.5 should reigning best and fairest Lachie Neale be traded to the Lions, aren’t willing to meet that demand.
“If you’re Fremantle, don’t be too cute on this,” former Demons captain Garry Lyon told radio station SEN.
“They have tried at various stages over the journey (to recruit a key forward and failed). Mitch Clark, Travis Cloke, Jarrad Waite, Jay Schulz, Cale Hooker… now they’ve got a chance to maybe get a Jesse Hogan into the club with Rory Lobb.
“Why would they not grab this with both hands?
“Their leading goal-kickers have been Cam McCarthy with 25 goals (in 2017) and this year, Michael Walters with 22.”
Port, eyeing highly-rated South Australian prospects Jack Lukosius and Izak Rankine, were keen to improve their position in the draft and now hold picks No.6 and 10.
They may yet gain another first-round selection, having confirmed late on Thursday that playmaker Chad Wingard wants to join Hawthorn.
“Chad has now informed us of his want to explore the opportunity that Hawthorn have presented him,” Port football manager Chris Davies said.
“He is also aware that unless an acceptable trade can be struck, that he will be playing for Port Adelaide in 2019.
“Unless Port Adelaide is suitably compensated, a trade will not happen.”
Gold Coast captain Steven May and Collingwood defender Tom Langdon, who is weighing up a shift to Sydney or Fremantle, are yet to reveal their intentions.
Langdon’s uncertainty is holding up the trade that will send Swans vice-captain Dan Hannebery to St Kilda but both clubs are on the same page and that deal should be finalised soon.
The paperwork that will result in Melbourne’s Dean Kent becoming a Saint is set to be rubber stamped on Friday morning.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Told ya.
anon
Roar Pro
Told ya
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You can believe what you want. I'll believe what Lachie says with his own words. You can call him a liar but, as always, you'd be in error.
anon
Roar Pro
He's not happy. That's why he's demanding he be traded to a worse team than Fremantle to a city with zero AFL culture.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Neale said the exact opposite. He said, " No way would I stand out of football for a year." Neale is quite happy to stay. He actually used the word, 'happy'. You can hear him say that on the Freo website. Or...you can believe Kim Hagdorn's gossip the night before this. (You actually would).
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Re: your second last paragraph, Freo doesn't do that. You do. Change the first two words of your post to, "Anon is..."
anon
Roar Pro
Neale doesn't want to be there. He said he's not playing there next year. He's a disgruntled employee. A deal might happen but the ball is in Fremantle's court. They'll have to back down. Melbourne can hold on to Hogan. Fremantle needs to dispose of Neale. The smart thing would be for the teams to just lock Fremantle out of negotiations. Lobb stays, Hogan stays, Brisbane get Neale next year for less.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Oh! There it is. Another one of your certainties turned out the other way anon? You get so sad then, don't you? Freo is totally in control of both situations. Melbourne meet Freo's terms...Brisbane meets Freo's terms. The difference? Freo does not want to part with Neale. Melbourne seem prepared to part with Hogan.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Even without reading the next one (from anon), we know the cut and paste will arrive.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Freo has class forwards already. Do you know why Taberner did not top Freo's goalkicking? He only played 6 games. Surely a football commentator like Lyon knows that. I wonder if he knows that in last year's draft we took Hugh Dixon. He missed the season with injury. Came back for the last few at Peel and gave real sharpness to its forward line. Today's celebrity footy experts don't bother with information. Carey and Healy know and they speak well of Freo's squad. Just ignore garry on this one. He is under-informed and has a Melbourne agenda.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Only footy commentators reckon Freo went after those players. They reckon that's what Freo needs so they turn it into a truth. They just copy each other and somewhere along the line they forgot it was a fanciful suggestion. Mitch Clark and Hogan have been the only 2 they chased. I think Macca was the one suggesting Schulz. If Freo want Hogan at that price, they'll pay that price. If Melbourne don't want to trade at Freo's price, they don't deal. Melbourne Garry sounds upset. If he is echoing Melbourne's response, Melbourne knows how to change things. It is nothing to do with being cute. Freo won't get rid of Neale to get Hogan. That would be silly.
dontknowmuchaboutfootball
Guest
One of the few sensible comments posted here about this particular situation.
asd
Guest
They want to much for Hogan
anon
Roar Pro
Fremantle are stupid. If they think Neale is disgruntled now, just wait until they hold him to his contract. They have the opportunity to offload a disgruntled player and get Lobb and Hogan. I think I read that Fremantle turned their nose up at 5 and 22 for Neale. They want two first rounders. Is there really that much difference between pick 22 and 15 (or whatever Brisbane have?). Is it really worth jeopardising a trade over? You have to laugh. This is a club that blames all their ills on never having a crack at a key forward. They have two fall in their lap and still can't pull off a deal. Hogan might just have a great year at Melbourne and suddenly might stay, or the Eagles might take a crack at him. Kennedy is getting old and injury-prone after all.
paul cotton
Guest
freo have been after a class forward for how long now. The dees want Hogan to stay however given his life circumstances have agreed to help him but not a a total fizzer of a deal. he is 23 has kicked over 2 goals per game & is elite in various aspects. that is fact I am not making it up. if they want a fair deal put out a reasonable deal. here's the go- its a chance for freo that may not come again. Dees are looking positive- of course nothing is guaranteed but it looks like they are well placed demographically for the finals for the next 5 years. Hoges is contracted for next year & if he stays & plays finals I reckon he will then sign for another 3-4 years. Freo are playing cutesy Ditto- tthey are hoping to get an elite player on the cheap & it aint going to happen Bro!!! Look at the trade west coast & blues did years ago- kennedy for juddy. win win. freo need to lift their game
TomC
Roar Guru
There are an awful lot of Victorian media outlets telling Fremantle to be more agreeable, but I can imagine from their perspective if they wind up without Hogan, but with Neale and their existing draft picks, they'll consider themselves not too bad off. So perhaps they don't really have much to lose by being obstinate. They have a year to convince Neale to stick around. A year is a long time.
Ditto
Roar Rookie
So Melbourne are pushing Hogan into the market to satisfy their wants and expecting absolute top price and Fremantle are trying to negotiate a more favourable deal. This according to Gary Lyon is Fremantle being ' too cute'. Go stuff youself Lyon, you smug turd.