Jesse Hogan could be deployed as a key defender if he stays at Melbourne next season
MELBOURNE spearhead Jesse Hogan faces the prospect of making a shock switch into defence for the Demons next year if his move to Fremantle falls over.
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MELBOURNE spearhead Jesse Hogan faces the prospect of making a shock switch into defence for the Demons next year if his move to Fremantle falls over.
The Demons are prepared to trade Hogan to Fremantle in return for pick No.5 so they can use it to claim Gold Coast stopper Steve May.
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Melbourne has also demanded a second high pick such as No.23 to be part of the Hogan trade, but may have to consider softening its stance on the additional selection to complete a deal before Wednesday’s trade deadline.
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Fremantle’s surprise decision to back away from negotiations on Friday, believing Melbourne’s asking price for Hogan was too high, have put the deal on the brink of collapse and angered Hogan connections.
The Herald Sun understands Fremantle is still keen on Hogan but do not want to give up more than the Dockers accept from Brisbane for dual best-and-fairest winner Lachie Neale.
The tense stand-off has forced Melbourne to consider restructuring its side for next season including the prospect of swinging Hogan into a key defensive post for the first time in his AFL career.
Hogan, 23, shone at both ends of the ground in the under-18s and, if he remains at AAMI Park next season, would almost certainly spend a large chunk of the pre-season campaign training with the defenders.
It would make Hogan, who is set to earn about $900,000 next year, one of the highest paid defenders in the competition if it became a permanent move.
Former Melbourne coach Paul Roos said the key defensive switch remained a viable option for the Demons because Hogan had the potential to star in the back line for Simon Goodwin.
“For me, Jesse Hogan can play centre half-back,” Roos said.
“So this notion of you cannot have Weideman, McDonald and Jesse Hogan (in the same team next season is false).
“This is a kid who has got super talent, Jesse Hogan, but he could be an All-Australian centre half-back. He’s an elite talent.”
Melbourne is on the hunt for another big body to anchor the defence alongside returning interceptor Jake Lever and Oscar McDonald as the club looks to break the game’s longest premiership drought next season.
The Demons are excited by the potential of a forward line featuring Tom McDonald, 26, Sam Weideman, 21 and Jake Melksham, 27, which led the club to commanding finals wins over Geelong and Hawthorn.
In particular, Weideman bagged three goals in a sensational breakout performance in the cut-throat win over Geelong, reinforcing long-held internal beliefs he is one of Melbourne’s brightest young talents.
The 195cm big man is one of the hardest running players at Melbourne and is expected to recover fully from a stress fracture in his navicular bone in his foot in time for Round 1 next season.
Sam Frost played centre half-back late in the season, but the Demons see considerable upside in keeping Weideman at centre half-forward and playing Hogan in the back half.
However, Hogan has never endeared himself as a leader at Melbourne and speculation that he would return home to Western Australia have followed him throughout his 71-game career.
Goodwin has reportedly denied Hogan would be traded, but has reluctantly accepted the big man’s request to return to Perth, if the Dees’ demands are met.
Melbourne is adamant Hogan’s spot at Melbourne is not untenable next year despite the trade request. He is contracted at the club next season.
“This is a guy who was potentially heading towards All-Australian (selection) before he got injured,” Goodwin said.
“His first 71 games as a player with the Melbourne footy club rank with the best of anyone in the competition.
“He’s a Melbourne person through and through, Jesse, and we love having him in our team.”
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