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Jack Watts has been Tamblinged - that is, he is a guy taken early in the draft who simply doesn't have the mental nor physical toughness to succeed in the AFL and deal with the pressure of being a 1st round draft pick and the lofty expectations of fans and media and the resultant criticism when they fail to measure up.
They both appear to have let the external pressure get to them rather than develop naturally like other footballers with equivalent talent and temperament.
I'm pretty sure that if Watts had been rookie listed by Geelong back in 2007, we'd see a completely different player today. Perhaps a useful half back flanker like Andrew Mackie - not a champion, but a talented serviceable contributor.
That's just confidence really. Melbourne never really allowed him a chance to build his confidence. They threw him in there at CHF on the Queen's Birthday round vs Collingwood when he was just a wet-behind-the ears Brighton Grammar schoolboy. The experienced Magpie defenders laughed in his face and beat up on him that day while 65,000 people watched him get humiliated.Nope. He's no good. Just doesn't attack the contest.
That's just confidence really. Melbourne never really allowed him a chance to build his confidence. They threw him in there at CHF on the Queen's Birthday round vs Collingwood when he was just a wet-behind-the ears schoolboys. The hardened Magpie defenders laughed in his face and beat up on him that day while 65,000 people watched him get humiliated.
Watts was the classic case of being thrown to the wolves too soon. At any normal, properly-run football club, he would;ve been held back for 2-3 years until he was ready for the big time. Maybe given a taste in the NAB Cup and then learning the caper in the VFL.
I don't believe any kid taken in the first 20 picks of the National draft is simply "no good". They had the raw talent to be taken early. If they don't succeed, then it must come down to other developmental factors: injuries, confidence, laziness, bad attitude.
Jack Watts has been Tamblinged - that is, he is a guy taken early in the draft who simply doesn't have the mental nor physical toughness to succeed in the AFL and deal with the pressure of being a 1st round draft pick and the lofty expectations of fans and media and the resultant criticism when they fail to measure up.
They both appear to have let the external pressure get to them rather than develop naturally like other footballers with equivalent talent and temperament.
I'm pretty sure that if Watts had been rookie listed by Geelong back in 2007, we'd see a completely different player today. Perhaps a useful half back flanker like Andrew Mackie - not a champion, but a talented serviceable contributor.
Or Freo shouldve taken him in the Colin Sylvia/ douchebag Gumbleton era.They should have tried to offload him to some foolish club like Carlton whilst he still had some sort of currency. I honestly wouldn't take him at Fremantle even if he came for free.
Maybe a good fit down at St Kilda? You could trade for him like traded out of the first round of the draft to pick up gun forward Tom Lee.Or Freo shouldve taken him in the Colin Sylvia/ douchebag Gumbleton era.
But I've seen him play a couple of great games in the past.You may be just overanalysing it, maybe he just isn't very good at footy.
I reckon something like a pastry chef or a hairdresser would be right up his alley.Watts should retire for his own emotional health.
Seems a very sensitive young man who really doesn't want to play footy.
For some reason I reckon he'd be much happier in retail. Just chit chatting without any care all day ...
He's just carefree and gentle.I reckon something like a pastry chef or a hairdresser would be right up his alley.
Yeh or maybe this year we'll trade pick 1, that works out well....Maybe a good fit down at St Kilda? You could trade for him like traded out of the first round of the draft to pick up gun forward Tom Lee.
That's just confidence really. Melbourne never really allowed him a chance to build his confidence. They threw him in there at CHF on the Queen's Birthday round vs Collingwood when he was just a wet-behind-the ears Brighton Grammar schoolboy. The hardened Magpie defenders laughed in his face and beat up on him that day while 65,000 people watched him get humiliated.
Watts was the classic case of being thrown to the wolves too soon. At any normal, properly-run football club, he would've been held back for 2-3 years until he was ready for the big time. Maybe given a taste in the NAB Cup and then made to learn the caper in the VFL and serve his apprenticeship.
The Melbourne coaches threw him into the big time like he was Buddy Franklin or Wayne Carey. Big mistake. The Demons proved themselves to be basket case (previous regimes, not the current one.) people blame their poor recruiting, but I don't buy that. I think they've been poor at developing their talent and they've mismanaged the careers of their young players.
I don't believe any kid taken in the first 20 picks of the National draft is simply "no good". They had the raw talent to be taken early. If they don't succeed, then it must come down to other developmental factors: injuries, confidence, laziness, bad attitude.
Or Freo shouldve taken him in the Colin Sylvia/ douchebag Gumbleton era.
I don't buy this whole idea "It's Melbourne's fault because they played him on Queens Birthday as a skinny kid." It was a stupid move yes, but it's been SIX YEARS! Jack has had plenty of time to grow up as a footballer and a person. It doesn't take much to put in an effort, to show hunger for the footy, he doesn't, he produces one good game for every ten poor games, he just floats around the ground waiting for the ball to come to him. There is no way that is how he has been instructed to play football. Jacks problem is that he's either scared or lazy but either way he doesn't have the attitude that warrants him a place on an AFL list. Jack is responsible for his own performance, you simply can't excuse the performances he gives now. The club has gotten more out of every single player on the list the past couple of years.
Nah he was a douchebag tooGumby was a douchebag? I thought he just had shocking luck with injury.