1st Round picks from 2008 Draft

[HighettBomber]

Because he is a year younger than most of his draft, needs to develop physically, and is meant to play CHF in the worst side in the competition (Or second worst at best).

Thought he was alright with 2 goals in his second game against Essnedon when we got thumped, looks like no-one watched it....

I was at the game vs Essendon, I thought Watts looked pretty good. I think the main issue is not if he has the talent to be a top player, that seems pretty obvious, it is whether he can firstly put on the weight he will need to be a KPP, and if he does whether it will hinder his mobility. If he can fill out and keep his mobility he probably will be a worthy No1 pick, but at the moment it is a pretty big "if" especially given the performances of some of the other high picks.

 

[el jefe]

Hill all the way, then NN followed by Rich.

 

[Marc Shmurf 3]

thoughts on Yarran thus far guys? Seems to be getting more confident in every game he plays. Started to take the game on more on Sat night.

Not suggesting he is in the top 7 yet, but is showing great signs so far.

for mine,

Hurley, NicNat, Hill, Watts, Beams and then Rich

 

[WN123]

It will be at least another season till he can hold down a KPP spot.

Why?? Pears did it last year for 23 matches and he is 12 months and 2 days older that Watts.
I saw a fair bit of Watts in the U18 carnival and he looked to be a beauty. Having said that NN, Rich, Hurley and Hill have all already shown enough that you would be wrapped taking any at Number 1.

 

[STC]

Naitanui already looks like he will turn out to be the pick of the draft, not just in skill but in excitement - he could become a player that brings supporters to games of football, and from that perspective Melbourne messed up big time in overlooking him - he could give the club the kick up the ass it so badly needs.

Down at Geelong in the short and long term we could use another ruckman badly, although Hurley in the long term would also be a great acquisition to play forward and back when Mooney and Scarlett retire in a few years.

 

[Weiterbot23]

Could possibly be the strongest draft of all time

 

[E Shed]

Incredible draft, You'd want all of them, as evidenced by most clubs supporters being happy with their pick.
I know I'm biased but I wouldn't swap Hill for any of them. If I could have a pick from the rest would be Big Nat or Hurley. Either would do me fine. Rich is obviously a good player as are Ziebell and Anthony. Watts I haven't seen enough of to say but I'd be surprised if he's not a champ.

 

[Spartan]

I wouldn't give up Naitanui.

That being said based on what we've seen Hill is something special.

With hindsight if WCE had picks 1 + 2 i'd take Naitanui followed by Hill.

 

[tubbis]

Hurley and Naitanui miles ahead of everyone else. Interesting that Daniel Rich has dropped back after the hype of last year. Perhaps we've seen his best (or close to it). I'm guessing he'll be a very serviceable, reliable player but may lack the match-winning star quality of the aforementioned. Stephen Hill was a bit of a surprise for me, but I think the fact that he played a blinder over the weekend against Geelong may have swayed a few votes.

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Stephen Hill was a bit of a surprise for me, but I think the fact that he played a blinder over the weekend against Geelong may have swayed a few votes.

Not at all, while it was probably his most complete game to date, he has been showing extremely promising signs since he was drafted. Just has that elite aura about him.

 

[Hannabal]

I was at the game vs Essendon, I thought Watts looked pretty good. I think the main issue is not if he has the talent to be a top player, that seems pretty obvious, it is whether he can firstly put on the weight he will need to be a KPP, and if he does whether it will hinder his mobility. If he can fill out and keep his mobility he probably will be a worthy

The good news for Melb supporters is that he already has. He's bulked up considerably. My Brother went out to Casey last Sat night and was really surprised by how big he looks. But the best news of all was his pace. Some supporters have thought he looked a tad slow, which was at odds with his draft camp results (third fastest player ever tested over 20 metres, i.e top 1%), but his pace was one of the standouts last weekend. I put it down to coming to terms with the tempo required playing men's football. Afterall, unlike some other draftees, he'd only played against kids.

 

[Sylvia Saint]

I think Watts will justify his selection pretty soon. I can see why he cops so much crap on here - good looking, good at everything, private school types annoy me too , but when you consider that he's 196cm, athletic abilities that would rival Buddy Franklin, AND footy smarts, he's gonna be seriously good.

But the #1 pick doesn't always become the best player from the draft, and I think Hurley and Hill will rival him in the coming years. NikNat is very very good, but I think a bit overrated. Even when he does the basics (pack marks, hitouts) that any big man does, the commentators blow their collective loads. He'll be a gun though.

So not including Watts, my unbiased order would be:

Hurley
Hill
NikNat
Rich
Yarran

 

[davey_magik]

I think the main issue is not if he has the talent to be a top player, that seems pretty obvious, it is whether he can firstly put on the weight he will need to be a KPP, and if he does whether it will hinder his mobility. If he can fill out and keep his mobility he probably will be a worthy No1 pick, but at the moment it is a pretty big "if" especially given the performances of some of the other high picks.

You can say this about just about every KPP drafted though (With the exception of a few like Hurley and Hawkins who already have a good build).

I'm prepared to be patient with Watts, if he dominated Casey for most of the year I'd be happy. He is after all the same age as the draft of 2009.

 

[tubbis]

Hurley, Hille and Naitanui clearly in front. Interesting to see that last year's love for Daniel Rich has dissipated somewhat. Jack Watts showed some positive signs against Port. Be interesting to see how this thread pans out if he gets consecutive games.

 

[Rack Watts]

Hurley is having a decent year considering he had no pre-season which is not good for a 19 year old.
Hill, Sidebottom and Beams have been the picks of the bunch this season.
Watts, Natia and Hurley have tall ceilings though.

 

[Seb78]

I don't get that either.. 3 years in the system has shown diddly squat

Gumby couldn't get a game due to injury,
Watts cant get a game due to lack of ability.

Truth hurts I know

 

[}>-DEMON-<{]

Gumby couldn't get a game due to injury,
Watts cant get a game due to lack of ability.

Truth hurts I know

what an odd time to bump this thread, Watts has just put in a couple of very decent performances, although you must not have seen them with your head up some bloke's arse


hmm Watts v Gumbleton tough choice

 

[whelan=legend]

Watts cant get a game due to lack of ability.

What planet are you on?

Don't know if it's Earth, because Watts is playing and playing better than Gumby.

**** me some Essendon supporters are just stupid.

 

[Demonheart]

Gumby couldn't get a game due to injury,
Watts cant get a game due to lack of ability.

Truth hurts I know

Perhaps you should take something for the pain then

 

[Lance Uppercut]

Don't know if it's Earth, because Watts is playing and playing better than Gumby.

**** me some Essendon supporters are just stupid.

come on mate, Watts is looking the goods, but he's not playing better than Gumby, bar last week.

Gumby has played all games this year, and improved in every one until last week.

Watts has played two games, and been nothing more than solid.

Let's not get too carried away huh

 

[saj_21]

Gumby couldn't get a game due to injury,
Watts cant get a game due to lack of ability.

Truth hurts I know

Watts suffered a back injury in February which meant he had around 4-6 weeks off footy, hardly ideal preparation to push for round one AFL selection. He then played in the VFL round one and earned senior selection after some solid performances and most importantly got some match fitness.

 

[Sin City]

Gee the Melbourne supporters are up and about after Watts' two goals in two games.

 

[whelan=legend]

Gee the Melbourne supporters are up and about after Watts' two goals in two games.

Hmm, maybe if you actually watched him play instead of looking at his goal tally?


A 19 year old 197cm KPF, extremely athletic, great hands, sublime skills.... how could you not be excited?

 

[Spartan]

Gee the Melbourne supporters are up and about after Watts' two goals in two games.

The server will go into meltdown if/when he dominates a game like Nic vs Essendon.

 

[Sin City]

Hmm, maybe if you actually watched him play instead of looking at his goal tally?


A 19 year old 197cm KPF, extremely athletic, great hands, sublime skills.... how could you not be excited?

I know, we've got a 20yo one who is out performing yours.