Purple's latest quoteless, baseless effort is 'Lobb to the Dockers'...
Makes for some interesting hypotheticals though, particularly in light of the murmurings about Fyfe.
IF, and it's an unbelievably huge if, Fyfe was open to a move, Freo could look to cash in on him whilst he's still contracted so they can get maximum value for him. Yes he's been out for a year with recurring leg issues, but he's the reigning Brownlow Medallist, young, and one of the best players in the game.
How then would any trade get done, and what would it mean for Freo overall?
1. Fyfe is comfortably worth a 'Treloar deal', so let's say two first rounders to Fremantle, though it may cost more.
2. Freo surely need to address their aging and 'role-player'-filled list and we already know that McCarthy and Brad Hill are their major targets so far.
3. Let's take Purple seriously for the moment (odd, I know), and factor in Lobb.
4. Hill is not worth a first IMO; he was Pick 33 in 2011 and despite his premiership medal I don't think his value has appreciably risen from that. Factor in he allegedly wants to go home.
5. Lobb most certainly is; he gives Freo height, youth and versatility in one go, and has been a revelation this year. He was Pick 29 in 2013 and his value is rising weekly.
6. The Dockers also want McCarthy, but a year or more out of the game, and indeed out of the system entirely, plus mental health demons makes his value hard to assess; Pick 14 in 2013, but God knows now.
Could it be that Fyfe leaves for two firsts, and Freo pick up Hill, Lobb and McCarthy for a first, second and something, leaving them with a first this year or next as well?
I'd considering offering two firsts for Fyfe personally... Though I'll concede the price might be higher than the club is willing to pay.
Also, that leaves the Dockers with something like this side in 2017;
FB: Dawson - A.Pearce - Ibbotson
HB: Tucker - Johnson - Sutcliffe
RK: Sandilands - Mundy - Neale
CR: S.Hill - Blakely - B.Hill
HF: Weller - Taberner - Walters
FF: Ballantyne - McCarthy - Lobb
IC (from) Barlow Bennell* Apeness Sheridan Crozier
Still a lot of old stagers needing replacement, but that's a start.
Let's say we got Fyfe (and lost Fisher) though...
FB: Geary - Carlisle - Dempster
HB: Savage - Gilbert - Webster
RK: Hickey - Fyfe - Steven
CR: Newnes - Armitage - Ross
HF: Riewoldt - McCartin - Billings
FF: Weller - Bruce - Membrey
IC (from): Montagna Dunstan Acres Gresham Roberton
Yo.