Jack Watts

[Marc_Remillard]

Not sure we should be including practice games but I guess I'll take anything at the moment.

 

[teknodeejay]

Didn't watch their NAB cup games, did you? He was even better in those.

If Collingwood has taught us anything, it's that Nab Cup and Real Season form are about as relative as Eddie McGuire trying to educate Essendon on drugs policies.

 

[teknodeejay]

While your general point is sound, he actually has played like that for a month now

I for one hope it continues. Truth!

 

[WaltzingMatera]

You remember incorrectly. Melbourne was only ever eyeing off two prospects with their number 1 pick. Jack Watts or Nic Naitanui. Nik Nat was dismissed because of the Perth factor. It was only ever going to go one way. For better or for worse...

This seems pretty much correct. From WC side, I think they thought Melbourne was always going to choose Watts after the State Carnival so were making the choice between Nic and Dan. Generally WC would prefer to pick the WA kid, all things being equal too (this comment is more about the potential of picking Hurley). Nic had some good highlights or performances at the back end of the WAFL season that probably sealed his fate over Dan.

However, it certainly would have been interesting if Melbourne did choose Nic then what would WC do. One or two days before the draft, there were really strong rumors that Melbourne would pick Nic but that didn't eventuate.

 

[franjon]

It's always been above the shoulders with him. So frustrating because if he had some belief he would be a very good player. Let's hope he's starting to find some.

If the media/football wannabe's and football supporters also/, had any idea from watching the game they'd know that big fella's take a while. He's also had a few years in the system and copped a truckload of abuse. He was also drafted with a shitload of talent, from a private school which probably caused some of the angst, not to mention his Eastern suburbs hairstyle at the time, but he'll be right. Can play.

 

[Toump Ass]

I think people forget how good Scully was for us.

You mean the last quarter of Saturday's match, right?

Handed the ball to us every time he got it.

 

[Proper Gander]

He'll never be worthy of number 1 pick and is very lucky to still be on an AFL list.

But so far this season he has been very impressive. Would have been a solid pick in the mid 30's.

The slight looneyness of this comment is that the only thing you have to do to be worthy of pick one is to be picked at one. Which he was.

Then the lucky to be on an AFL list thing - maaaaybe, but he's remained on the list of a very poor AFL team, with good reason being as there have been any number of people worse on said list - so he didn't stick out as the first guy to drop - so I'd argue that luck doesn't come into it.

But I get what you are getting at I think. He hasn't to date validated the artificial performance requirements of a very high pick. I'm not deeply bothered though. I think it will pan out okay in the long run.

 

[gillo94]

I'm sick of hearing about Jack Watts changed after 1 Round of football. He will go back to his old ways

 

[replicant]

If Collingwood has taught us anything, it's that Nab Cup and Real Season form are about as relative as Eddie McGuire trying to educate Essendon on drugs policies.

While Collingwood's turnaround was dramatic and hilarious, i was talking more about Jack and the role he's playing. He's been playing to his strengths, and Melbourne's gameplan seems to have evolved to give him a bit more opportunity. Melbourne also seemed to take the NAB a bit more seriously than most clubs. They fielded a real best 22, they stuck to gameplan and structures, and didn't move people around too much. We'll see how the season pans out, but he looked really good, kind of reminded me of Westhoff when Port had a really good season, but he's a better kick.

 

[Toump Ass]

I'm sick of hearing about Jack Watts changed after 1 Round of football.

The stop reading threads called "Jack Watts" after 1 round of football

 

[Kakkle]

Not sighted in the first half at all today.

 

[MightyDons4]

Didn't even realise he was playing.

 

[midorigreenwood]

Not sighted in the first half at all today.

He had one good kick....

Then I fell asleep because bombers v demons.

 

[Big Cox 88]

Watts a shit game he had!

 

[The 747]

And regular Jack Watts programming resumes.

 

[kaiserchief13]

He will never play in a finals team. Just lacks hard work

 

[Donakebab]

Popping up for a few moments in the last quarter doesn't make up for him being Mr Invisible for the majority of the game.

 

[Testekill]

Watts a shit game he had!

Wasn't alone there either. But jesus christ, that Essendon team has only played like four games together and no professional team should be losing to them.

 

[bresker]

*plumps cushion, puts on comfortable slippers, pulls armchair closer to fire*

Please tell me the story of this new Jack Watts. I'm dying to hear all about it........

 

[Shane Hird]

At least Brighton Grammer parents will always have fond memories of him.

Poor kid. I feel sorry for him.

 

[Testekill]

At least Brighton Grammer parents will always have fond memories of him.

Poor kid. I feel sorry for him.

Yup, he might have become the player he could have been at another club but he has just had the weight of expectations on him for ages and he was never actually forced to play in the VFL if he wasn't doing well enough.
I still point to him dropping himself to the reserves the week Melbourne played the Hawks then coming back the week afterwards against the Bulldogs. Like you can't fix your problems in one week and if you're going to drop yourself to the reserves then you should be prepared to do a couple of weeks work in order to return.

 

[Gavin Excell]

At least Brighton Grammer parents will always have fond memories of him.

Poor kid. I feel sorry for him.

Why?

Clearly has talent. His club crying out for leadership but he picks and chooses when he will try.

 

[SterlingArcher]

Could have sworn this is a repeat of a round 1 thread last year, either that or Melbourne supporters were 'bumping' comments after a very good display v Gold Coast...and the season did not go Jack's way.

The issue is that Watts has always been capable of a good moment, a good quarter, a good half and a good game. When has he ever put it together (besides when he was the leading intercept marking player for an arbitrary 6 week period lol) for any meaningful length of time? That's his true test, backing performances like Saturday up with many over the course of a season.

I don't like bumping my old posts (that's a lie, I do) but this is still the same old problem.

It's amazing how much hatred there is for Watts

Is it 'hatred'? Cotchin, Gibbs, Cloke, Tippett, Carlisle cop a shitload too. Underperforming talented players cop it...

 

[10571z]

He will never play in a finals team. Just lacks hard work

Not a terrible call.

I’ve seen enough of this bloke. Just doesn’t have the desire to be an AFL footballer

 

[Frank Gallagher]

Not a terrible call.

I’ve seen enough of this bloke. Just doesn’t have the desire to be an AFL footballer

Lazy and soft.