Fergus Watts Petition

[WaynesWorld19]

Originally posted by jc67
Sarcasim mate.
just relating Hart's begining to the current watts debate.
(thats why its on this thread) did anyone else not see i was being sarcastic?

Sorry been living in Victoria too long

 

[magicman]

I can't see any harm in playing Fergus this season. Even if he doesn't set the world on fire, at least he will get a taste for AFL footy and it should help him identify any part of his game that he needs to develop. The team we are putting out on the park at the moment isn't going to win us too many more games so why not play him.

 

[naughty monkey]

What will Watts learn playing CHF/HF/FP in a side that can't kick 10 goals a game?

For me THE most important thing with Fergus is that he have a fantastic preseason next year. Then he will be primed for the start of '05. That's the whole point here, I want him as advanced as possible by the start of 2005.

For that reason I don't want him to be carrying a few niggles and be "worn down" at the end of the year like nearly all first year players seem to be when they come in and play during their first season. (e.g. Luke Ball and Brendon Gooddard)

In the grand sheme of things Stiffy, what difference is 6 to 8 weeks going to make to the career of Fergus Watts? Yes he is a good size already, but his body is still maturing (he will put on another 10 kegs at least imo). He has only been back for 5 weeks from OP. Why not let him settle in at SANFL level and find his feet there. What do you gain by promoting him now instead of in 8 weeks time?

If he maintains a respectable level of form in the SANFL why not promote him for the last 4 or so matches? I just don't see why he has to go up straight away, the risks far outweigh the benefits, imo.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Originally posted by naughty monkey
What will Watts learn playing CHF/HF/FP in a side that can't kick 10 goals a game?

For me THE most important thing with Fergus is that he have a fantastic preseason next year. Then he will be primed for the start of '05. That's the whole point here, I want him as advanced as possible by the start of 2005.

For that reason I don't want him to be carrying a few niggles and be "worn down" at the end of the year like nearly all first year players seem to be when they come in and play during their first season. (e.g. Luke Ball and Brendon Gooddard)

In the grand sheme of things Stiffy, what difference is 6 to 8 weeks going to make to the career of Fergus Watts? Yes he is a good size already, but his body is still maturing (he will put on another 10 kegs at least imo). He has only been back for 5 weeks from OP. Why not let him settle in at SANFL level and find his feet there. What do you gain by promoting him now instead of in 8 weeks time?

If he maintains a respectable level of form in the SANFL why not promote him for the last 4 or so matches? I just don't see why he has to go up straight away, the risks far outweigh the benefits, imo.

I don't disagree with the comments, other than he will learn more at AFL level than SANFL level. Particularly about the pace, ball movement and that would hold him in good stead for next year.

Having said that His form is OK with WWT, but nothing special, and Iam in favour of him finding his feet, certainly for another 4-6 games with WWT.

My major concern is the way he plays his football - its a very physical brand that he plays, which presently he can get away with at SANFL, but the bodies are bigger and moving quicker at AFL.

I would like to see a season of development at SANFL, as you say 4-6 games in a FP to learn from Carey, and a full PS, where he can add more weight and better prepare his body for the type of game he plays.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by naughty monkey
In the grand sheme of things Stiffy, what difference is 6 to 8 weeks going to make to the career of Fergus Watts? Yes he is a good size already, but his body is still maturing (he will put on another 10 kegs at least imo). He has only been back for 5 weeks from OP. Why not let him settle in at SANFL level and find his feet there. What do you gain by promoting him now instead of in 8 weeks time?

Yes he is still learning the game and yes he is still maturing BUT he will learn a lot more playing AFL than he will in SANFL. As I said I am not expecting anything major from Watts for a couple of years. Playing him alongside Carey will be of more benefit to Watts' development. He will learn from the best in the business and that will be a HUGE thing for him.

I want to make it clear that I do NOT want to play Watts in KP in the AFL. I want to play him in a pocket or on a flank but not in a KP.

 

[spindoctor]

Watts will get chewed up and spat out in the AFL...he is still way too rangy to get involved in pack-marking, and if he plays the bang-crash style of game that he loves with his current frame, he could end up with a serious injury.

You say it would be good experience for him, maybe. But what is more important is that we know how he plays, and while he is still a skinny lad it would be irresponsible to play him when there is a big chance of a serious injury. One of the commentators yesterday blurted 'Watts just tried to kill himself' when he ran headfirst into a pack. He could hurt himself doing that in the AFL.

Rutten is ready, he is at the very least a stop-gap contested mark for our forward line.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Originally posted by spindoctor
Watts will get chewed up and spat out in the AFL...he is still way too rangy to get involved in pack-marking, and if he plays the bang-crash style of game that he loves with his current frame, he could end up with a serious injury.

You say it would be good experience for him, maybe. But what is more important is that we know how he plays, and while he is still a skinny lad it would be irresponsible to play him when there is a big chance of a serious injury. One of the commentators yesterday blurted 'Watts just tried to kill himself' when he ran headfirst into a pack. He could hurt himself doing that in the AFL.

Rutten is ready, he is at the very least a stop-gap contested mark for our forward line.

I agree that Rutten should come in before Watts, because Fergus had an injury-interpted start to the season & should get a few more games under his belt with WWT. However, would like to see Watts play a few games later in the season to give him a taste of AFL.

 

[Alex99]

He can play out of a forward pocket and he will be fine. he needs to play at least 20 games before he starts to shine.

Our forward line this week should be

FF Watts M Stevens G Johncock

Hf Carey Bock B Burton

Watts can take the 3rd or 4th best tall and not have any Pressure to Perform. At the beginning of the season l was against him being rushed into the side, but now he has played 5 games at SANFL leval and promoting him isnt going to do any long term damage.

Look at port in there first season, they played darrel poole and scott commings as key forwards with tredray in a pocket and the second season poole didnt even play did he, so 15 - 20 games to allow watts to find his feet. ( but l not compairing F watts to W Tredray)

 

[eddie eagle#2]

He should be allowed to develop a bit longer with the EAGLES.
No doubt he was the one that got slipped through in the minidraft, can't believe we got him at number 7

If he can show some signs in this years finals campaign, and maybe contribute to an SANFL flag, then round one wizard cup next year the crows can have him

 

[macca23]

Originally posted by eddie eagle#2
He should be allowed to develop a bit longer with the EAGLES.
No doubt he was the one that got slipped through in the minidraft, can't believe we got him at number 7

If he can show some signs in this years finals campaign, and maybe contribute to an SANFL flag, then round one wizard cup next year the crows can have him

He never slipped through IMO eddie.

I think the truth would be that most clubs would have recognized that they would get some of this year out of Watts and then never see him again as he builds a permanent long-term career with the Crows.

 

[eddie eagle#2]

Originally posted by macca23
He never slipped through IMO eddie.

I think the truth would be that most clubs would have recognized that they would get some of this year out of Watts and then never see him again as he builds a permanent long-term career with the Crows.

agreed macca23, was tongue in cheek.....just wanted to use a "talk it up" type line along the lines of a steal by another afl club who couldn't believe they picked up someone like mahoney so early

 

[Crow-mosone]

Originally posted by jc67
It was good to have Ben Hart back last night.
I remember when he got his first game, he was about 23 years old and built like mr universe.
just as well we left him to develop (not waste) in the SANFL or he would proberbly only lasted a couple of seasons before he got dishartned and quit football.

If I recall correctly he was all australian as a 17 and 18 yr old.
I don't mean teal cup either!!