Mark Duffield - Four Thoughts (06.10.2026)

Mark Duffield (0:00)

Let's get on to Four Thoughts on Sport to get us rolling this morning. And first thought is on Essendon's decision to get the Zac Merit Trade done early this trade period and get on with life without him. We'll be talking to afl.com that I used Dylan Bolsch soon to get his view on the Merit Trade and others taking place in the AFL at the moment. So at the moment, the Bombers will get Pigs 15, 25, and a future second rounder from the Hawks. It is worth revisiting what was on offer last year when Essendon took a stand on trading their best player out and rejected two first round Pigs for the 2025 draft and a future first round Pigs. So that would be one this year as well. And a player, Hawke Henry Husswait. So let's ignore Husswait at the moment because there is no evidence yet, and I stress yet, that he's going to amount to an AFL player.

But it is impossible not to reach the inclusion that the Bombers would have had the opportunity to extract more from the Hawks last year had they done the trade. Merritt got a seventh Crichton medal. That's their best and fairest out of his final years at the Bombers.

Essendon won two games and the wooden spoon. So this is a cautionary tale if ever there was one. Second thought is on another club pushing back on a trade deal. St Kilda is yet to agree to a trade for Rowan Marshall to join Geelong. This is the second year in a row Marshall has tried to get out. The Saints wanted a first round draft pick and a player for the 30 year old Ruckman. They won't be getting that. They asked that Lawson Humphreys be considered as the player they could get. They certainly won't be getting that either. Marshall boycotted the Saints best and fairest last night.

This one has the potential to get ugly if St Kilda aren't careful. Third thought is on West Coast now. Clearly in the box seat to seal a deal with Jack Viney after Essendon withdrew from the race for Viney at the start of trade period. So mixed feelings on this one, I have to admit. On the one hand, Viney would offer valuable experience, leadership and would be a mentor for young midfielders like Harley Reid and Willem Dursma.

On the other hand, given they are not likely to make wholesale list changes this year, the Eagles have a host of young midfielders they need to find out more about next year. I'm talking about Elijah Hewitt, I'm talking about Tom Gross, I'm talking about others as well. They need to find out about them before they make decisions on them. If Viney is fit and playing, he will be taking one of their spots. Hopefully Jack Viney, should he make the decision to come to West Coast, brings plenty of vigor, plenty of leadership, plenty of mentorship for the young mids. And finally, Four Thought is on Jesse Hogan.

He opened the batting in this trade period with a low price trade, shipping him to Collingwood for pick 75

I think Hogan needs to be very careful about the legacy he leaves in football. He did win a Coleman medal two years ago, but he also entered the system as the most promising youngster in Australia when he first joined at Melbourne. And he hasn't quite been that over the course of his career. Earlier this year, he was WA's best player in a state of origin game. So Jesse Hogan's best is still very, very good. But this is now his fourth club, and he has left three in less than ideal circumstances. The last two, Fremantle and GWS, have practically given him away. This is Jesse's last go at it. Time to get it right, and not just for a year or two. Give us your thoughts and questions. 487 736 736 That is our text line. And 13 12 55 is the Bauer and Doday open line. Bauer and Doday, because the little things are everything. Made in WA for WA. This is Mornings with Mark Duffield on SEMWA.