Can any of the Watts fanboys provide a response to this (Pack Specialist - I'm looking at you).
Before I start, Watts is a good honest tryer in his role, that is, an uncontested lead up 3rd tall/flanker. He does not play a contested KPP brand of footy. He needs space and time to exert his strengths (skill etc.). He is known to not appear committed, is no leader after 9 seasons and has been dropped in a poor team due to his lack of impact in games and general inconsistency.
Melbourne don't even want him. Worth a pick 35+ IMO.
So.. the questions for the fan boys is....
1) Given Geelong play a contested bash and crash style going forward, we like to run it up and bomb long into Hawkins without any forward system. We don't play an uncontested style of footy like Hawthorn. Given this, How is someone like Watts, who needs open space/uncontested possessions to impact games, going to thrive?
IMO he is not going to take those big grabs when we bomb it long, we don't play a style that suits Watts's strengths. We are not Hawthorn. My view is that our game style is incompatible for Watts to thrive, and he is going to be a massive whipping boy for not impacting games.
2) Geelong's biggest weakness is our mental fagility in September. We are stuck in prelim land not being able to lift when it matters. Watts is known to coast through, uncommitted on field, came back to preseason underdone, drops his head.. before you jump at me, this is what Melbourne supporters say, and I already posted an article confirming this that was posted on the Age a few days ago. We need players that are going to lift with Paddy and Joel when the going gets tough. Do the Watts fanboys really think Watts is the type of player that is going to lift and take the game by the scruff of the neck when the going gets tough in a prelim?
Looking forward to answers to my two questions above.