fergus watts

[superfraser]

hey guys.

could anyone tell me about fergus watts.
i know there was a bit of hype about him around mid season.
hows he going? how many games is he likely to play next season?

thanks for your time.

 

[Alex99]

Would expect Fergus to start round one on a half forward flank next season (if during the pre season everything goes to plan).

The forward six round one next season could look like this IMO:


FF L Jericho S Welsh Recruit* (could be anyone)

HF F Watts T HentschelT Edwards

Ian Perrie must be traded this season. Quality AA defenders will be able work his style out next season and have a shocker, trade him now whilst his value has risen with his form of late, it isn’t going to get any higher.

 

[Alex99]

hey guys.

could anyone tell me about fergus watts.
i know there was a bit of hype about him around mid season.
hows he going? how many games is he likely to play next season?

thanks for your time.

To answer your question:

197 cms.
86 kgs, has to get to between 93 and 95 Kg in 18 months

3 games 1 goal in season 2004

CHF, modelled his game after the great hawthorn player Dermott Brereton, but lets not expect much yet, give him some time.

Looked good for the WWT early in the season

 

[Mong]

Watts had a taste of it this year and probably played around 5 games (edit: ok it was only 3). He's also been an emergency a few times so is on the verge.

Didn't really do much at all in the games he played but I would expect him to play at least 10 games next year and possibly more. Probably just needs that one breakout performance to send him on his way.


****

 

[RooDog]

kicked two goals actually, one in first game against bulldogs from a mark in the goal square and the snap against Freo!

 

[Alex99]

kicked two goals actually, one in first game against bulldogs from a mark in the goal square and the snap against Freo!

You are dead set correct, AFL footy record vs. Geelong have it incorrect.


I remember that snap now vs. Fremantle, and his ground burner mark vs. The Bulldogs

 

[AngelEyes]

Didn't really do much at all in the games he played but I would expect him to play at least 10 games next year and possibly more. Probably just needs that one breakout performance to send him on his way.

Agreed however, I also found that he needs to bulk his upper arm strength up a bit more. Will be a good player in time, yet we have to wait until he develops more stronger, reliable set of marking arms.

Anyone see the way Mods still moves when he kicks the ball at AAMI stadium the other week? *sigh* why can't the youngsters looking to play FF or FP have a look at how he played and model themselves accordingly?

 

[tribey]

Would expect Fergus to start round one on a half forward flank next season (if during the pre season everything goes to plan).

The forward six round one next season could look like this IMO:


FF L Jericho S Welsh Recruit* (could be anyone)

HF F Watts T HentschelT Edwards

Just re Watts on a flank, are you envisaging a Riewoldt-esque role for him?

 

[Alex99]

Agreed however, I also found that he needs to bulk his upper arm strength up a bit more. Will be a good player in time, yet we have to wait until he develops more stronger, reliable set of marking arms.

Anyone see the way Mods still moves when he kicks the ball at AAMI stadium the other week? *sigh* why can't the youngsters looking to play FF or FP have a look at how he played and model themselves accordingly?

Because in a kind way Tony Modra was “FREAK”.

We have a high marking strong leading full forward, it's just the club concede they would rather him burn the ball in the mid field rather than kicking goals and being a contender for “mark of the year”, pitty

 

[Alex99]

Just re Watts on a flank, are you envisaging a Riewoldt-esque role for him?

No, a Chad Cornes forward type role for him, up the ground between 50 and wing.


Not that we would be to disappoint if Fergus Watts turned into another Nick Riewoldt

 

[tribey]

No, a Chad Cornes forward type role for him, up the ground between 50 and wing.

Fair enough, but do you think he has the requisite speed and fitness for that role?

Not that we would be to disappoint if Fergus Watts turned into another Nick Riewoldt

Nah, I'd personally be devastated

 

[Mitch Power]

No, a Chad Cornes forward type role for him, up the ground between 50 and wing.


Not that we would be to disappoint if Fergus Watts turned into another Nick Riewoldt

He will be one hell of a CHF in the future - your club has done well to recruit this guy

 

[RooDog]

He will be one hell of a CHF in the future - your club has done well to recruit this guy

thanks...

we will trade him for Tredrea if ya like

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

He will be one hell of a CHF in the future - your club has done well to recruit this guy

Mitch, I reckon you are right, but I hope you haven't put an Ackland-like curse on hiim!

 

[DJ75]

I initially liked the look of the guy. but heard some disturbing stories. After one game in the SANFL where he failed to take a mark, he apparently started mouthing off to his opponent about his future and how he was going places and wouldn't be stuck in "this sh*t league" for ever.
I like a bloke to have confidence, but you don't start big-noting yourself before you've actually done anything!
Oh well, perhaps just the innocence of youth!
Lets hope he is half as good as Dermie was!!!!
Personally, I think he's going to be a gun.

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

Although he didnt take too many grabs or kick a bagful of goals in his limited games he played this year I think he looked the goods.
He got to alot of contests and wasnt outmarked that often to be honest he was just easily knocked of the ball. Give him a solid preseason in the weights room and hopefully we can see him come out and hold a few grabs and kick a few.
I could see him playing every game next year, maybe not at CHF but maybe a pocket. I think Perrie should be our CHF next year while Watts develops then come 2006 Perrie can hopefully bugger off and Watts can step up to become a dominant CHF for 10 years.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Agreed however, I also found that he needs to bulk his upper arm strength up a bit more. Will be a good player in time, yet we have to wait until he develops more stronger, reliable set of marking arms.

Anyone see the way Mods still moves when he kicks the ball at AAMI stadium the other week? *sigh* why can't the youngsters looking to play FF or FP have a look at how he played and model themselves accordingly?

Correct on all counts

Its no secret that I am a self proclaimed Watts fan but he still has some deficiencies to iron out. His attack on the ball and work rate cannot be questioned. You are 100% correct when you say that he needs to bulk up and another 10-15 kg would see him as a brute force forward. So many times he gets his hands on the ball but is just not strong enough to hold onto it at this stage.

Another thing he needs to improve on is his agility and pace. His pace is acceptable but if he can improve that a bit it would help him a lot. Agility he can work on. Give him the same set of exercises as we did to Rutten and he will be fine. His one on one body contests need work but I think his lack of "competativeness" in this area is a result of his lack of strength.

And Modra, well he is a FREAK

I expect Watts to play a handful of games next year but I expect him to be a regular in 2006.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Mitch, I reckon you are right, but I hope you haven't put an Ackland-like curse on hiim!

That slab of beer looks more and more promising with every passing day









*watch us now trade for that dud*

 

[Asgardian]

I agree that Watts looks to be a good CHF in the making, but I do have a few reservations.

At the moment he's built like a stick insect, something that is easy to work on, but ocasionally when a skinny kid becomes a muscular monster, he can lose pace, and co-ordination.

So the jury has to be out on that one, to see how he develops, and how he handles that development.

Secondly there are whispers about his attitude, nothing concrete, so it may all be crap, I dunno.

If it is true, the Crows have the best guy possible to fix this "problem", Wayne Carey, he can pound it into the kid, he can chastise the kid, he can cajole the kid, or he could plain mentor the kid. In my opinion, Carey is the best possible bloke to turn Watts into an AFL player, the Crows just gotta keep Carey, that's all.

 

[Stiffy_18]

If it is true, the Crows have the best guy possible to fix this "problem", Wayne Carey, he can pound it into the kid, he can chastise the kid, he can cajole the kid, or he could plain mentor the kid. In my opinion, Carey is the best possible bloke to turn Watts into an AFL player, the Crows just gotta keep Carey, that's all.

Easier said than done

Carey has publicly stated a number of times that he is not interested in coaching even as an assistant. I think he is eyeing off the career in the media and as such he is most likely to move back to Melbourne. Even if we could keep him as a mentor so he spends 1 or 2 hours a week with our youngsters it would be worth it. Hell I would even fly him over once a week from Melbourne just so he can give the kids like Watts some pointers.

 

[macca23]

Secondly there are whispers about his attitude, nothing concrete, so it may all be crap, I dunno.

I'm not quite sure what that's supposed to mean, as he undoubtedly works far harder on the track than most.

Are you talking about off-field attitude, because personally the only whispers I've heard have been full of praise for Watts and his attitude??

 

[Asgardian]

Like I said Macca23, nothing concrete, just a word here, a post there, an odd comment from 2 SANFL players.

Maybe what was said, was out of character, I dunno?

Certainly nothing like the avalanche of words that followed Angwin around

 

[Bockchoy67]

I agree that Watts looks to be a good CHF in the making, but I do have a few reservations.

At the moment he's built like a stick insect, something that is easy to work on, but ocasionally when a skinny kid becomes a muscular monster, he can lose pace, and co-ordination.

Oh don't worry, he doesn't have much of either right now.

Seriously though, Fergus has the right frame of mind and attitude to be successful at AFL level. The reason he can't mark like he has shown is, especially in contests, is purely from a lack of muscle. In time this will change and that's where his true potential lies.

People can't expect him to dominate games as an 18 year old. Give him time and he will deliver the goods. It's more experienced kids like Reilly, Mattner, Rutten and Schuback we should be expecting to deliver. That's why it's so exciting to see them beginning to maintain some solid, consistent form. Reilly and Rutten especially.