Has it crossed your mind that Melbourne don't want to do a swap for 2024? Let me play it out for you:Congrats, you have stated exactly what I was saying....
We have Blore for 2024, we could negotiate a good exit/swap since Blore seems hell bent on going.
Instead we just let him leave for Melbourne and we will let another team pick up Olam or another back from the storm.
Step 1) Tigers and Storm discuss a swap for Blore and Olam for 2024 but can't agree the details: the Storm want us to take Olam's whole contract for instance, and we - rightly - think that's a poor deal.
Step 2) Blore signs for the Storm for 2025.
Step 3) The Tigers go back to Melbourne and say "we want a player swap for 2024".
Step 4) The Storm say "we made you our best offer, if you don't like it you can keep him and we'll have him in 2025".
Step 5) Nothing. That's the end of the conversation.
The bit of my comment you either ignored or didn't understand is that unless Melbourne are particularly keen to get Blore for 2024 we don't have any leverage. All the Blore/Olam talk sounds to me like Melbourne thought we might be dumb enough to let them have a player they want in return for one they don't. Fortunately we managed to avoid treading on that particular rake - for once - but otherwise the Storm aren't especially fussed if they get Blore for 2024 or 2025 and therefore certainly aren't going to offer anything of value for 2024.
If you're running the Tigers right now what's your play with Melbourne? Please refer to steps 3 and 4 above before replying.