Fergus Watts

[Stiffy_18]

He is our great white hope. The potential key forward we have been crying out for ever since Modra was shipped off to Fremantle. He is tall has a crack and is a good mark. Some people have question marks over him but I rate him highly and as our best key forward prospect.

He played 5 games last year with mixed results. He has been suffering from Osteitis Pubis since last year and as a result his pre-season has been affected by it. Keeping this in mind what are your expectations for season 2005? Do you think he will play in the Wizard Cup and will he spend most of the year in the AFL or SANFL?

 

[PAfolwr]

From everything I have read about him, he needs one more year in the twos without too much pressure.
I know that Port keeps getting told we have no youngsters because of that, but bugger what others think as it really can be a good thing, with talls in particular. Hentschell from your team is an example of that.
Let him develop a bit more, then in 2006 start unleashing him properly.

 

[Bockchoy67]

I think he will be a good player for us, but we will have to wait a while until we see what he is capable of.

His sticky hands, good leap, great height and hardness at the ball are his best features, and something that our forward line needs.

However he is injury prone and has been restricted so far. His lack of muscle is also a concern: something that can be improved in time, but it is definitely affecting his current performance, especially in contested situations.

I believe we will probably play him on and off the bench throughout the Wizard Cup, and then let him develop in the SANFL and play him in the AFL when his form warrants.

I believe once he gains some consitency in his form and develops his body, he will be in our best 22. However, it is unknown so far when this will be. I predict in 2-3 years.

He's only been around for one year, so we shouldn't fault him too soon.

 

[macca23]

From everything I have read about him, he needs one more year in the twos without too much pressure.
I know that Port keeps getting told we have no youngsters because of that, but bugger what others think as it really can be a good thing, with talls in particular. Hentschell from your team is an example of that.
Let him develop a bit more, then in 2006 start unleashing him properly.

Well said. Totally agree.

 

[spindoctor]

I saw him in the Archer last night, he isn't looking very big at all actually, Doughty looks bigger than him. Looked quite happy with himself on the dancefloor.

Hudson on the other hand, is huge.

 

[jo172]

I think he will be a good player for us, but we will have to wait a while until we see what he is capable of.

His sticky hands, good leap, great height and hardness at the ball are his best features, and something that our forward line needs.

However he is injury prone and has been restricted so far. His lack of muscle is also a concern: something that can be improved in time, but it is definitely affecting his current performance, especially in contested situations.

I believe we will probably play him on and off the bench throughout the Wizard Cup, and then let him develop in the SANFL and play him in the AFL when his form warrants.

I believe once he gains some consitency in his form and develops his body, he will be in our best 22. However, it is unknown so far when this will be. I predict in 2-3 years.

He's only been around for one year, so we shouldn't fault him too soon.

Totally agree, IMHO he will be our barometer in the next 5+ years. If he suceeds the team will however if he fails it could set the whole team back.

 

[jc67]

I still think that he is likley to seek a trade back to Vic at the end of the year.
With this in mind I reckon that he will play quite a bit this year in an effort to drive up his price.




PS: I hope I'm wrong and he is a one club player.

 

[Stiffy_18]

I still think that he is likley to seek a trade back to Vic at the end of the year.
With this in mind I reckon that he will play quite a bit this year in an effort to drive up his price.




PS: I hope I'm wrong and he is a one club player.

Are you always this pessimistic??????

In all seriousness it is HIGHLY unlikely that a player will want to go home after only serving out their rookie contract. If you said you were expecting him to go home in 2-3 years time I would share your concern but not now. I can't remember anybody who left the club that drafted them after only 2 years with them

 

[jc67]

Are you always this pessimistic??????

In all seriousness it is HIGHLY unlikely that a player will want to go home after only serving out their rookie contract. If you said you were expecting him to go home in 2-3 years time I would share your concern but not now. I can't remember anybody who left the club that drafted them after only 2 years with them

Pessimistic?? me??
in reality (as you probably recall) I am usually overly optimistic.

I have mentioned before that I was on the same flight back from Melbourne as him late last year, and first hand saw the reaction of him and his little sister. I seriously expect him to go home at the first opportunity.
You might also remember that prior to seeing him carry on at the airport I too rated him highly as a long term CHF for us, IN FACT my 5 year old son has number 6 on his jumper (signed of course).

 

[Macca19]

I can't remember anybody who left the club that drafted them after only 2 years with them

If you are talking the whole of the AFL then there has been some.

Anthony Rocca springs to mind immediately. Rory Hilton. Shane O'Bree.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Are you always this pessimistic??????

In all seriousness it is HIGHLY unlikely that a player will want to go home after only serving out their rookie contract. If you said you were expecting him to go home in 2-3 years time I would share your concern but not now. I can't remember anybody who left the club that drafted them after only 2 years with them

Angwin?

 

[Stiffy_18]

If you are talking the whole of the AFL then there has been some.

Anthony Rocca springs to mind immediately. Rory Hilton. Shane O'Bree.

Good point

But its still pretty rare though.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Angwin?

Now Kane you know that Angwin was a headcase and the circimstances of his departure are very unusual in the AFL world these days

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

Do we have to over speculate that every interstate player will go home. Keep in mind by the time they are ready to go, we should be able to trade for like players or high draft picks. We should a least break even.

 

[drakeyv2]

Pessimistic?? me??
in reality (as you probably recall) I am usually overly optimistic.

I have mentioned before that I was on the same flight back from Melbourne as him late last year, and first hand saw the reaction of him and his little sister. I seriously expect him to go home at the first opportunity.
You might also remember that prior to seeing him carry on at the airport I too rated him highly as a long term CHF for us, IN FACT my 5 year old son has number 6 on his jumper (signed of course).

What happened?

I'm no mind reader, so who know's whats in their heads re going home. The best way to keep em here is to get em laid.

I doubt he will have much impact this year after an interupted pre-season.

 

[marvin]

Are you always this pessimistic??????

In all seriousness it is HIGHLY unlikely that a player will want to go home after only serving out their rookie contract. If you said you were expecting him to go home in 2-3 years time I would share your concern but not now. I can't remember anybody who left the club that drafted them after only 2 years with them

Tom Gilligan
Brent Williams
Lance Picioane

 

[pext]

I expect him to play a dozen games this year.

If he is as good as our recruiting staff believe he is, once he gets over OP it should simply be a matter of time before he forces his way into the 22. And lets face it, there isn't much tall timber in his way!

I don't expect him to dominate but a few cameo performances off the bench are required.

I don't care what people say about not wanting to burn out youngsters, the best way to learn is to play at the highest level against the best. Any youngster worth his dollars will want to play top flight anyway.

Let's hope he stays fit!

 

[Mad Dog]

A very interesting topic Stiffy......

I have taken a big interest in "Fergal" since he was drafted.....probably because I've been clinging desperately to the hope that he is "the one" to lead us out of the KPP wilderness with Kenny. I have seen the 'Peckers a few times over the last 2 years....mostly finals...( ), but there was 1 game during the year that Fergal played and was mildly impressive.....(strange I was actually willing him to beat his Doggy opponent when the ball came his way... )
He is a likely lad with huge legs but a small upper body. He has lots of footy talent and he doesn't mind crashing a pack or 2. He does tend IMO to lairise a bit and the jury is still out as to whether this is because he has genuine footy talent and likes to show off his wears, or if it's a result of being lazy, bored, self indulgant, and making up for a lack of fitness that is not getting him to the contest ATM. (this sounds harsh but I'm just raising a theory).
I actually think it is a mixture of both. Depending on his maturity, his 5 games last year could either have done him a world of good (ie shown him that he has a long way to go), or a world of harm, (ie putting in his head that he may not be far off the mark). The reality is that he is still a fair way off IMO, and if he is a level headed boy, an uninterrupted SANFL season + an AFL preseason next year to build his upper body will see him possibly playing senior footy in 2006. I am genuinely hoping he is patient enough to see that it is in his best interests. He needs to remember that his 5 games were at a time when the season was lost, we were interested at looking at youngsters, and we only had about 25 or 26 fit players in the squad to choose from.
All this sounds like I'm being harsh on the big man - but I'm not - just trying to add some perspective because I think he is a genuine prospect....I really hope we can hold him at the AFC long term and not break him down by rushing him.
He looked very ordinary at training earlier in the year...I put that down to his OP recovery, but has looked pretty sharp, more focused, and very strong in the marking contest since.
I don't think he is a Wizard Wok candidate - only because I think our squad needs to use that campaign to prepare for Round 1......Fergal is not a part of those plans IMO......and I think a full year of SANFL will do him a world of good.....but we have a long season ahead of us with potentially lots of twists and turns so who knows......

 

[Stiffy_18]

Good post MD but I would disagree with you that he is not a WIzard Cup candidate. I am pretty sure that NC will give him a run if his training form demands it. He might not be a player you would want to play in round 1 BUT I heard Pyke the other day say that we will be giving some youngsters game time in the Wizard Cup. I think Fergus could be one of those youngsters.

 

[jtrain]

What happened?

I'm no mind reader, so who know's whats in their heads re going home. The best way to keep em here is to get em laid.

I doubt he will have much impact this year after an interupted pre-season.

Best post I have read all day.

A friend's little brother went to school with Radar, and there is no doubt that he has enjoyed himself a lot more over there since he has been popping off hotties at regular intervals.

If Fergie can get hooked up with a decent chick (or even better a lot of different decent chicks), guaranteed he will stick around for a little bit longer. at that age, there is no stronger motivator.

However, regarding his ability, too early to tell - although injuries in the pre-season for someone of his age and frame is not a good sign. realistically 5-10 games and minimal impact would be my prediction.

Jericho, Perrie, Mark Stevens, Hentshel, Welsh and Biglands are probably all ahead of him for the forward spots.

 

[Mad Dog]

Good post MD but I would disagree with you that he is not a WIzard Cup candidate. I am pretty sure that NC will give him a run if his training form demands it. He might not be a player you would want to play in round 1 BUT I heard Pyke the other day say that we will be giving some youngsters game time in the Wizard Cup. I think Fergus could be one of those youngsters.

Fair enough......good to hear that our game plan (and those executing it) etc is suitably developed and bedded down for Round 1.

I've just got this opinion that we can't afford trot out the youngsters this pre-season......we aren't coming from a position of strength IMO.......but obviously I'm happy to be in the small minority on this issue.

I also think it will depend on how soon we join the country circuit during that month. I would think the longer we stay in the comp - the more serious we should become in terms of game plan development and execution.

IMO Watts is not a contender for the season proper......so why not focus on getting the Welsh, Perrie, Stevo, Biglands, Trentschell mix sorted out under match conditions???.....

 

[Stiffy_18]

We will take the comp seriously and we will still work on the game plan development and execution but with the extended bench its not harmful to give a few youngsters a bit of a go.

 

[jc67]

Do we have to over speculate that every interstate player will go home. Keep in mind by the time they are ready to go, we should be able to trade for like players or high draft picks. We should a least break even.

Thats what I was eluding to in my original post

 

[jc67]

What happened?

Upset girl, tears on both sides etc etc.
I assume it was his sister as she was younger and they wern't intamate enough to suggest anything else.
Although I was within listening range I chose not to evesdrop.