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Senior 4. Jack Watts

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KickLongTackleHard said:
I see a few similarities in the way Kurt Tippet moves and plays. I wonder if it comes from the basketball backgrounds of theirs or I'm just seeing things.
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Sorry but i don't see the comparison at all.

Kurt's strength is his strength which combine with his excellent hands make for a deadly fd50 player. He's pretty mobile too but he's contesting is his strength.

Jack's got excellent hands too but his speed and footskills are his biggest strengths. Jack needs a bigger tank but he can play that linking CHF with his footskills as well as play closer to goal when he gets bigger. Kurt is better closer to goal. Don't see him playing CNF but he can ruck i guess.

Don't get me wrong, I think Kurt Tippett's a jet but they aren't comparable apples to apples.
 
melbournemartin said:
I did have a little chuckle at this comment:

Craig of Ballarat Posted at 9:11 AM Today

Naitanui - weakness, ability to play football
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:D haha, I like that
 

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http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/114855/default.aspx


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Jack In The Box - By Jennifer Witham 7:27 PM Thu 26 May, 2011
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BOXING and a change in his on-field role has been behind Melbourne forward Jack Watts' improved form, according to teammate Nathan Jones.

Watts, the 20-year-old No.1 selection from the 2008 NAB AFL Draft, played his first season under immense pressure, largely associated with his pecking order in the draft order.

In 2010, he played 15 games and looked much more comfortable as he took a step forward in his AFL career before he added weight to his frame over the summer months.

This year, he has shifted from predominantly the forward line to further up the field after becoming a tougher unit, owing to the persistence of his teammates and the encouragement of Jones - a renowned fan of boxing as cross-training - to spend more time in the ring.
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Watts' last 6 weeks:

18.8 disposals
1.2 goals (whilst spending time in defence)
6 marks
82 Dream Team (superior CD/SC score indicates a good efficiency level)
86 Champion Data/SuperCoach

Is consistently playing a good role for the club, and the one game I would classify him as 'average' in (vs Blues) he still stayed involved in the game.

Will only improve from here IMO.
 
# 4 – Jack Watts

Expectations for season 2011:

I’m not sure what most Demon fans expected of Jack, but as a staunch believer in his talent I was hoping for a mini-breakout season (think of this more as a serious announcement of talent); although, as we had only seen glimpses of his ability in years 2009 and 2010, it was hard to gauge just how much improvement should be expected of Jack.

At the beginning of season 2011 I thought to myself; "A 25 goal season from Jack, playing at CHF, would be great" and it would have him following a similar development path to some elite players; such as Nick Riewoldt.

Basically I considered this year another one of development.

One thing was certain in my mind, he would win over a lot of doubters (I even had a couple of casual bets following this theme) and would play some very good football.

Key Statistics:

Season
- Disposals = 16.1
- Goals = 1.0
- Marks = 5.6 (1.2 contested)
- Tackles = 2.4
- DT/SC = 72.8/75.0

Overall Performance:

Overall I, and Melbourne fans as a whole, was very pleased with Jack’s progression and performances this season. He was literally a shining light for us this season, playing a lone hand in some matches.

The season started off averagely for Jack however; he lacked intensity and desire. I’ll be honest, when he was named as a substitute for the game against the Gold Coast my confidence in him wavered for the first time (Although I didn't let the Essendon supporters in Watts vs Hurley threads know this!! ... come at me).

His response however, was fantastic (Let my faith waver... no more). There was a notable change in his attitude from the next round (a bloodbath at Patterson’s) and he looked a like a player with purpose, skill and desire.

Jack proceeded to produce an array of very pleasing performances for the next few weeks; playing some excellent roles in our games against St. Kilda, Essendon, North Melbourne and Collingwood (He was one of the few who could hold his head up high after the Queen’s Birthday debacle).

Then came two weeks of football that I don’t think I will forget… the weeks that Jack Watts showed what he could accomplish on a football field.

Firstly there was the round 13 game against Fremantle; Jack was literally everywhere and he had the ball on a string. He was taking one handed grabs, weaving in and out of players on the wings, scooping the ball up one handed in the forward line and weaving through forward fifty congestion. I watched this game live and it was a joy to have my faith in Jack given excellent vindication.

Then came a match against Richmond, round 14… again I was in the stands to watch this display. Jack rose to the occasion, taking contested grabs and kicking important goals… that goal on the third term siren is one that has stuck in my memory ever since (in fact I’m going to make it into a .gif and set it as my desktop background after I finish this review), it was a great moment.

Jack had a more subdued end to the season than I would have liked, but my sources tell me that he struggled with a chest infection (or an ailment of a similar ilk) in the lead up to the Port Adelaide game… and to be fair he didn’t look quite right up in Darwin (Those familiar with a chest infection would do well to remember the adverse impact upon it has upon lung capacity… anyway this only from a ‘sauce’). His form and effort was solid in the coming weeks, and in the context of team performance he was regularly a standout.

He did have one last game worthy of significant praise, and it was on a dark day too. Round 20 against Carlton; an excellent performance… there was individual brilliance in the form of two running goals from outside 50, courage in the form of marks running back with the flight in defense and class in the form of don’t argues on B. Thornton and the use of his speed and agility to weave through packs and players on the wing.

There were a few cameo 'moments of class' in the last month of season 2011 (particularly the West Coast game; why couldn’t Morton have drop punted that shot at goal??) but it was fairly obvious the long season had taken its toll.

Which was a little disappointing considering I thought there was an opportunity for Jack to finish the season off really strongly (GC, Richmond and Port).

Wattsy capped off the season with a top 10 finish in the Melbourne BnF (9th overall) and I would rate his season as a 7.5/10; a really solid foundation for him to explode from over the next couple of years.

Where to go??

Well, the obvious answer is that Watts will only improve from here. He has more weight to put on (hopefully he’ll work his way up to just under the 100kg mark from the 91.5 – 92 he is currently), a bigger fitness base to build, more strength to develop and more experience to gain in terms of playing AFL football and learning how to play with his teammates and within Neeld's game structure.

One of the beauties of Watts is that we aren’t quite sure what he will become, he has a large number of attributes which make him an outstanding candidate for a variety of roles.

Ultimately I see him becoming a roaming CHF, although a prototype CHF at that… a 'play-maker' if you will.

He’ll be a goal kicker, he’ll be a star and I don’t think we’ll have to wait too much longer to see his full capabilities.

What are my expectations for Watts’ 2012 you ask?

Well, I’ve placed great faith in the lad.... and I’m not about to stop now! Considering a KPP's fourth season can often be their breakout (although keep in mind Jack is a year younger than most others taken in the 08 draft... yes, including Hurley and Naitanui) I'll ask for 40+ goals, 17-ish disposals per game, 7+ marks (with at least 2 of them being contested!!!) and a sprinkling of goal assists as well.

On a more specific note I would like Jack to win more contested possessions, take more shots on goal (hopefully he won't be swung to half back whenever we are losing under Neeld!!) and obviously increase his consistency throughout the season.

Make it happen Jack!
 
Good write up mate. Has copped a lot of flack, and made a lot of progress last year, particularly in the middle of the season. I for one hope he becomes a star, not just because he plays for my beloved MFC, but so he can vindicate himself from all the negative press he has received.

The game against Richmond in Round 14 was a highlight this year, as was the game the previous week against Fremantle. Hopefully, in the future, these types of performances become the norm for Jack.
 
Good stuff TPM, nicely done.
 
Samsara said:
The game against Richmond in Round 14 was a highlight this year, as was the game the previous week against Fremantle. Hopefully, in the future, these types of performances become the norm for Jack.
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With #4 on his back, how could it be anything but? :D Hopefully he'll land a few GF BOG medals too.
 
Jack Watts 2011 Review:
Todd Viney said:
Wattsy had a really good year. He got tired towards the end of the season, but developed as a key forward during the middle part of the season. He took some contested marks and he worked really hard for a forward. His work-rate up the ground was also good. I reckon he took some confidence when we put him behind the ball, but we just need him to show some further improvement next year. We’re looking forward to his continual improvement. He’s still got a fair way to go, but we reckon he’ll get there.
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http://www.melbournefc.com.au/tabid/7415/default.aspx?newsid=126027
 

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Robert Shaw on Twitter saying Watts should move to CHB immediately.

No room there I'm afraid he'll have to improve quickfast
 
AFL Website: Watts up?

MELBOURNE'S Jack Watts has shrugged off any external criticism of his game, saying the opinions of his coach Mark Neeld and forwards coach Leigh Brown are the only ones that matter to him.

"The thing for me is listening to my coach … I'm sure there are many other people out there with many other opinions and that is fine. I'm fine with that," said Watts...
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IMO if Neeld keeps working with Jack on his particular role then he obviously thinks the improvement will come.
 
2012 Preview

I know what you're all thinking, "not another ****ing opinion about Jack Watts!!?!".

Fortunately I'm not part of the media pack which thrives on an easy target.

Make no mistake, this will be a very interesting (perhaps difficult) year for Wattsy. In my review of his last season I was really, really positive... now, not so much.

I didn't imagine the drastic increase in fitness (and resulting drop in weight from around 93-4kg's at the end of last season to 89kg's listed at the start of this season), the drastic change in his role (although considering Neeld's background, perhaps I should have) and the drastic change in our game-style; specifically F50 entries.

This is another development year.

Some of you might say 'but he's a no.1 pick who has been in the system for four years already!!!'

Well... too ****ing bad.

That's ignorant of the player he was, the player he now is, how much he has improved and how much further he will improve.

I look at a player like Hurley/Naitanui and think; yes, they've improved significantly as AFL footballers over the journey.

I look at Watts and think, this kid has improved significantly MORE than either of those two in his time (one year less in a full-time system no less); In fact I'd argue he is at least ten times the player he was when called out on draft day.

That said, while there are a lot of factors against him improving this season, the reality is that he must.

Neeld won't be as accommodating as Bailey I feel; obviously he acknowledges Watts needs to learn... but if he isn't at least playing his role he will be learning in the VFL.

And I'm okay with that.

I still have great faith in the kid, he will be a great of this club.

But hard work and patience are needed.
 
Round 1

Disposals: 18 (83% efficiency, 4/14 uncontested)
Marks: 5
Dream Team/SC: 78/88
My Rating: 6/10

Wattsy had a really good first half, he was probably sitting on close to an 8/10 and was our second best player behind fellow midfield noob James Magner.

He was evasive, creative, worked hard and was very clean... just what you want in a midfielder.

He was moved to deep forward in the 3rd and it's no surprise that he lost all involvement in the game; considering Brisbane outscored us by six goals in that quarter.

Neeld alluded that Watts was a player he was content with during the game; stating that a '40 game player who has probably never played in the midfield before' was our best midfielder along with Magner (or in Neeld's words 'a first gamer').

It's a decent starting point, and hopefully he can keep being used as a utility type player throughout the season while he continues to build his form, body and confidence... as well as his understanding of the game.

He did look to tire during the back end of the third quarter (no surprise given he doesn't have a midfield tank as of yet) but despite only 5 or 6 touches in the second half he was still comfortably in our best half dozen players on the day.
 
The most unfortunate thing about Wattsy is that he just isn't that good. Hope he resurrects that.
 

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Round 2

Disposals: 14 (93% efficiency, 8/8 unc/cont)
Marks: 4 (2 contested
Dream Team/SC: 48/72
My Rating: 4.5/10

Another so/so game from Watts this week, he'll unquestionably do some nice things every week and continual smashing while trying to learn a new position definitely isn't making it easy on the lad to perform.

He looked set for a big performance with 7 disposals in the first quarter, then as the midfield got smashed by greater margins his influence waned.

He's making strides, he had a very 'non-Watts' performance today. Nothing flashy; just a stock standard head over the ball, win a contest and use the ball effectively type performance.

His strength is an obvious improvement, he had Priddis beaten quite effortlessly a couple of times.

Again he was in our best dozen players; but he didn't do enough IMO.

We need more from him as our no.1 draft pick, hopefully he'll start to take some more responsibility as he did last year.

It's interesting to note his performances in regard to other KPF's taken from the same draft however. For some reason Hurley, Watts and Vickery have all had average starts to the season (with the former two clearly in front at this point); I'll contend that all will come good, again, as the season progresses.

All in all, he's been alright early on.
 
What do you make of his move to the midfield? Do you think he could become a genuine utility or do you think he'll eventually become a permanent CHF?

I think he could become a Goddard/Hird type utility, someone that can play midfield, forward and even sweeping across the backline at times. But mainly an attacking weapon.

I'm not comparing those guys in ability/performance, just positions.
 
I think that's how he should be used; or as a wide roaming CHF link player.
 
demonfan9 said:
What do you make of his move to the midfield? Do you think he could become a genuine utility or do you think he'll eventually become a permanent CHF?

I think he could become a Goddard/Hird type utility, someone that can play midfield, forward and even sweeping across the backline at times. But mainly an attacking weapon.

I'm not comparing those guys in ability/performance, just positions.
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I'm with you df9, I think he will be more a utility than a permanent CHF. That's what he's more suited to. Not to say he wouldn't make a good forward, but I think he's more use to the team in a 'sweeping' role with the ability to make a regular impact up forward (i.e. most weeks).
 
Will be interested in what neeld does with watts. He said he wants him as a chf/ff to justify the pick but he seems to be reneging due to lack of influence.
 

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