Freo hits hurdle in pursuit of Hogan
FREMANTLE, the club in the midst of delicately placed trade negotiations on several fronts, has been warned about the dangers of getting “too cute” as it pursues 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 its firstround 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 next 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.
The Dockers, who are set to receive Brisbane’s pick No.5 should reigning best-andfairest 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 goalkickers 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.
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 this morning.
CLUBS must have six players inside both 50m arcs, with one player inside the goal square. Four midfield players must start inside the centre square with the two wingmen stationed along the wing.
AT KICK-INS, a player will no longer need to kick to himself to play on from the goal square. Following a behind, the man on the mark will be brought out to 10m from the top of the goal square, rather than the existing five metres.
WHEN defenders mark or receive a free kick within nine metres of their own goal, the man on the mark will be brought in line with the top of the goal square.
TEAM runners may only enter the playing surface after a goal has been kicked and must exit before play restarts. Water carriers are not permitted to enter the playing surface during live play.
PLAYERS will be prohibited from setting up behind the umpire at centre bounces.
THE player with the ball will be able to play on while the 50m penalty is being measured out.
A PLAYER who has been awarded a mark or free kick once play has ended will now be able to kick across their body using a snap or checkside kick but must kick the ball directly in line with the man on the mark and the goal.
THE ‘hands in the back’ rule interpretation has been repealed so a player can now place his hands on the back of his opponent to protect his position in a marking contest provided he does not push his opponent in the back.
A RUCKMAN who takes direct possession of the ball from a bounce, throw-up or boundary throw-in will no longer be regarded as having had prior opportunity. Where there is uncertainty over who is the designated ruckman, the ruckman for each team will still be required to nominate to the field umpire.