Past #36: Shannon Watt - drafted at #14 in '97 ND - 155 games - 0 Brownlow votes - original whipping boy

Do you agree with the 'Watt' decision?

  • Yes

    Votes: 21 51.2%
  • No

    Votes: 20 48.8%

  • Total voters
    41

mark73

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Arden said:
Yeah, probably a bit harsh from me. But was meant more around his ability to run and jump, ala Trent Croad or Shannon Watt. Still was a better athlete than probably 98% of people on the street, but when put in comparison with some of todays footballers, would be made to look pretty pedestrian. But it didn't matter with his game, because if he knew where the ball was going first, he could be there before a quicker guy.

And yes, his skills were underrated. Had awesome hands, was a thumping kick (torp in the wet against Carlton), and knew how to position his body to win the ball. And still has pretty good skills by the way, and wouldnt be too far above his playing weight.
It was a bit harsh because when he got himself fit,around 1993,he actually did have a bit of dash (the night game against Essendon that year).Had ten times the skill of Watt and vision that made him a cut above players of Watts' capabilities.Not the most intelligent of comparisons Devil Fish,sorry.
 

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Zondor

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Devil Fish said:
With the addition of Hay down back, hopefully this will allow Watt to play up the ground & with his run & mobility, I couldn't help but wonder whether Watt could become a Mark Roberts type player? Thoughts?
There is no chance in Hell, Heaven, Pluto, the Andromeda Galaxy, and even on Earth itself that Watt could ever become a "Mark Roberts" type player. Arden sums it up nicely with the following.

Arden said:
Pretty much agree, the Fridge was one of the smartest players you will see on a footy field. Didnt have much athletic ability, but the fact he was able to go into the ruck at his size, and turn a game on its ear, speaks volumes about the man. Still my old man's favourite footballer.

I think Watt is the absolute opposite of Roberts. He has the athletic ability, but not the footy smarts. He panics when under pressure, and doesn't seem to naturally know where to be. Classic case of footballer vs athlete.

I still reckon we have another Bar-Fridge, Leigh Brown. He has the potential to be our Mr Fixit, like Roberts did during the 90's.
Arden, you're spot on about Leigh Brown. Last year Mr Fixit went to Full Back as a replacement for Watt in that position. This year he seems destined for Centre Half Back as a replacement for Watt. Mr Fixit indeed.

Also how bad was Watt as the "Third Tall" in defense on the weekend? O'Keefe gave him a bath.
 
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Falkroo said:
I also remember the legendary game against Essendon in '93 when Carey Longmire and McAdam when nuts. Roberts was sensational, showing genuine pace and agility several times.
This was one game I had in mind. Especially the gather in the back pocket and the sprint past Michael Long and up the wing. Someone provided a brilliant shepherd for him on the wing which allowed him to turn inside and deliver the ball lace out to Carey at CHF who unfortunately missed the goal.
 

Falkroo

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HangarHarris said:
This was one game I had in mind. Especially the gather in the back pocket and the sprint past Michael Long and up the wing. Someone provided a brilliant shepherd for him on the wing which allowed him to turn inside and deliver the ball lace out to Carey at CHF who unfortunately missed the goal.
I think it was that little runt Ezard, he ran into the man mountain Ishenko
 

Event Horizon

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As mentioned here by others, there is a big difference between Roberts and Watt. The football brain Roberts had you can't buy. In fact I am surprised the Fridge hasn't resurfaced somewhere in the AFL as an assistant.

Watt on the other hand has better physical tools.
I wouldn't put it past him to have a 200 game career, as he is about 9 games away from his century and is 25 years old. He should be in his prime. Being a shy kid, I reckon now that he is a bit older, and the pressure of FB is off, he may just play the best footy of his career.

Not Roberts like though.
 

Davo01

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Watt shouldnt be mentioned in the same breath as Roberts. When Watt has the ball he either looks like a bunny in the headlights and coughs it up... or makes a dash out of defence and delivers the ball with purpose... right onto the chest of an opposition player.
 

Devil Fish

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Arden said:
Pretty much agree, the Fridge was one of the smartest players you will see on a footy field. Didnt have much athletic ability, but the fact he was able to go into the ruck at his size, and turn a game on its ear, speaks volumes about the man. Still my old man's favourite footballer.

I think Watt is the absolute opposite of Roberts. He has the athletic ability, but not the footy smarts. He panics when under pressure, and doesn't seem to naturally know where to be. Classic case of footballer vs athlete.

I still reckon we have another Bar-Fridge, Leigh Brown. He has the potential to be our Mr Fixit, like Roberts did during the 90's.
As Curt Henning would say, "Absolutely Perfect." There's no doubting you Arden.
 

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ssreid

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Loved the Fridge!!I believe with the addition of Hay Watt will be a better player.We all know Watt was no Micky Martyn ,freeing him up and letting him run of the halfback line we may have another Kingy.
 

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Mailman said:
Im hoping LeCras can grasp this kind of Mark Roberts role this year
Spot on!

Brown will stay at CHB and make it his own this year. Le cras is a player who might be the 20-40 goals a year player that we will lack now squib...i mean prick...ohhhh Motlop was for us.
 

Shinboners

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Arden said:
I still reckon we have another Bar-Fridge, Leigh Brown. He has the potential to be our Mr Fixit, like Roberts did during the 90's.
I reckon Leigh Brown is the player who can do a similar job to Mark Roberts.

But you have to remember, Roberts wasted a few years with the Swans and Lions before he really blossomed with us. If we have the patience, I reckon Brown can develop in the same way that Roberts did.
 

Zondor

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Shinboners said:
I reckon Leigh Brown is the player who can do a similar job to Mark Roberts.

But you have to remember, Roberts wasted a few years with the Swans and Lions before he really blossomed with us. If we have the patience, I reckon Brown can develop in the same way that Roberts did.
I think Brown could step into that Mark Roberts role of a mobile ruckman/follower/resting forward now, if it wasn't for one S Watt not coming along as the coaching staff would have liked and holding down a key defensive post.

Lets remember that a part of McKernan's success during the 90's can be attributed to Roberts who was able to swap roles with big Corza allowing for the mismatch to happen be it up forward or around the ground.

Brown could do the same with Hale now and we could still have room for a second ruckman in the side as was the case with Capuano back in our "Glory Years" of the 90's.
 

year of the roo

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Zondor said:
Also how bad was Watt as the "Third Tall" in defense on the weekend? O'Keefe gave him a bath.
Not too bad at all. Gave some good rebound from defense. Not his greatest game, but far from his worst. Also he did not play on O'Keefe, and O'Keefe wasn't giving out any baths to anyone.

But don't let facts get in the way of yet another pathetic attempt at slagging Shannon Watt. Boring.
 

Zondor

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year of the roo said:
Not too bad at all. Gave some good rebound from defense. Not his greatest game, but far from his worst. Also he did not play on O'Keefe, and O'Keefe wasn't giving out any baths to anyone.

But don't let facts get in the way of yet another pathetic attempt at slagging Shannon Watt. Boring.
You're kidding me, right? Mate Watt played on O'Keefe for the majority of the match and let me tell you he didn't do a good job of it. Did you watch the game?
 

year of the roo

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Zondor said:
You're kidding me, right? Mate Watt played on O'Keefe for the majority of the match and let me tell you he didn't do a good job of it. Did you watch the game?
Firrito played on O'Keefe.

Not sure why Green didn't after the job he did on him in the GF, but there ya go. Oh and yeah I certainly didn't watch the game :rolleyes:
 

cobba

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brown and watt could play like MR but brown can play ruck which is even better

lecras will be improve out of sight this season, im glad we didnt delist him for woey or stupido
 

Angus1

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Does anyone really want to compare Watt to Roberts? I mean come on if Watt is our best choice at that role then we are in some serious trouble. Actually if Watt can hold down a position this year I will be happily surprised.
Some of you talk about him as if he is some young bloke about to break lose. Isn't this his 9th year at the club? Bloody hell if this guy gets games in front of Perry, Smith and Trotter then something is wrong.
 

Zondor

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year of the roo said:
Firrito played on O'Keefe.

Not sure why Green didn't after the job he did on him in the GF, but there ya go. Oh and yeah I certainly didn't watch the game :rolleyes:
So watched the game under the influence? Mate, Firrito went onto O'Keefe later in the game. I believe it was during the third quarter when this occurred. You probably saw O'Keefe outmark Firrito and believed that he had played the whole game on him but let me assure you that Watt played the majority of the game on O'Keefe.
 
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