Watts a defender: Neeld

[Jordie_tackles]

Watts already has the tank

No not yet, still gets tired imo.

The Tank he needs is mammoth

 

[Viney]

No not yet, still gets tired imo.

The Tank he needs is mammoth

He has a very good tank and capacity to build it

 

[Amarula]

People often spout off it can't be taught, but that's BS. It's about confidence and size (and the right coach)

Look at Goddard and Farren Ray, both changed their game in this regard dramatically

I wonder too if it's about being in more games where we have a chance of winning.

He doesn't instinctively put his body on the line; he weighs it up first, like a lot of footballers do. And if the team is getting well beaten, like we were in most games this year, there's very little to gain and a lot to lose by being reckless and risking serious injury.

But Jack will go hard & put his body on the line if the game's in the balance.

 

[Ando727]

If you look at his skill attributes, Watts has the potential to be something like a Pendelbury. The fact that he's so tall has pigeonholed him as a forward/backman. I hope Neeld is open minded enough to recognise that as he toughens up, he could be a real weapon in the middle of the ground. He has time and space like Hird/Pendles which is a virtue few players have. He lacks physical strength and confidence. The rest is already there.

 

[Crusty Demon]

He may take over the Rivers role as loose man in defence. Yes he can set up play well and does read the ball ok, but his one on one skills are non existent. Just about everytime he got singled out in a contest down back this year, he got beaten. Sure, he can work on this, but I can't see him as a true defender. I'd prefer to see him delivering the ball inside our 50, than rebounding out of the back half. His versatility will hopefully be his best asset where he can play just about anywhere on the ground. I can't see him staying in the one position for too long.

 

[Dez!]

Rivers wasn't a loose man in defence, he was just that good at zoning off, getting to a contest and being the third man up.

 

[Blackas87]

I reckon we should be developing him into an Adam Goodes styled player.

 

[caesar86]

U mean like Car picking Gibbs at number 1 and playing him in defence, Also didnt use select Kreuzer In front Of Cotchin

I was waiting for that one. And I agree, Gibbs is wasted in defence. More about Ratten playing him out of position rather than any lack of ability. This has been a constant frustration over the last 3 or so years. The only reason why Ratten played him down back was because he is the best kick and he wanted to sure up the defence as other carlton defenders such as Jamison can't kick. I believe this was always the wrong thing to do. Gibbs is a gun midfielder (just watch any of his juniour tapes). I am glad the blues got rid of Ratten. Hopefully malthouse will finally unleash gibbs in the midfield so he can finally show the afl how good he is.

Also on the kruezer topic...too early to call. Kreuzer is only one season back from a full knee reconstruction. It's not until the second or third year back from such a severve injury before a player hits his straps again. Also it's not until around 25-26 that a ruckman finally reaches their potential.

I believe that Dees are playing Watts out of position as a defender just as what Carlton has done to Gibbs. To be fair to watts he was put forward as a young guy with no support, in a struggling team. This in turn affected his confidence. I still believe he is best suited to the role that Richo played in the latter part of his career...on the wing/midfield and regularly pushing into the forward line. He will benefit from having big bodies such as clark and dawes beside him. I hope that neeld doesnt make the same mistake as carlton did with gibbs and by playing watts in defence

 

[Jordie_tackles]

He has a very good tank and capacity to build it

Its not bad, but nothing i would brag about, will be very good after this preseason imo

 

[Sprout]

Also, in case people are wondering, I have always have had a soft spot for Melbourne as they are my second side. My criticism of the Dees recruiting policy is out of frustration as I want the Melbourne to do well.

We weren't wondering.

 

[Spirit of 39]

Also, in case people are wondering, I have always have had a soft spot for Melbourne as they are my second side. My criticism of the Dees recruiting policy is out of frustration as I want the Melbourne to do well.

To say the jury is still out on whether Watts will make in the big time is just wrong. Watts is already a capable AFL player. Whether he becomes elite or not is the question. And with his selection over Natanui, 90% of clubs would have made that very same selection.

Travis Johnstone was a good player for us and won our BF. He was inconsistent but his best was elite. So I'm not sure how we really got that wrong either. He was the stand-out number one selection that year.

So if you're going to gob off on our board, at least get your facts right!!!

 

[Sprout]

I find it funny how people on forums like this like to personally attack people who disagree with their own opinions. Surely its all about putting forward different ideas and having robust debate on the issues rather then denigrating the person who posts an idea you disagree with. Play the ball, not the man. Rather than resorting to online troll behaviour how about people post their competing arguments so that we can instead have a mature debate and share ideas? Isn't that what a democracy is all about?

I find it funny when supporters from opposition clubs come onto another team's board, introduce themselves by slamming said team's drafting history (backing it up with the highly unique debate of "How could they choose Watts over Natanui omg!"), and then call foul when they aren't accepted with open arms.

 

[Bluelegs]

I find it funny how people on forums like this like to personally attack people who disagree with their own opinions. Surely its all about putting forward different ideas and having robust debate on the issues rather then denigrating the person who posts an idea you disagree with. Play the ball, not the man. Rather than resorting to online troll behaviour how about people post their competing arguments so that we can instead have a mature debate and share ideas? Isn't that what a democracy is all about?

Look I'm fine with having a decent discussion with opposition supporters regarding the Dees but when you come onto our board and introduce yourself by spouting generic inflammatory statements that one would expect on the Bay we tend to lose our patience very quickly and you are perceived as a troll. Why even bother bringing up Travis Johnstone or Naitanui in a discussion about Watts? We've heard it all before and it just seems like childish ridicule at best.

 

[Spirit of 39]

Why did Melbourne trade Travis Johnstone to the Brisbane Lions then?

He was traded at a time when we were bottoming out. Bailey was stockpiling elite youth. We got a round one draft pick for him so he was obviously rated very highly by the Lions.

To say he was a wasted number one draft pick is just absolutely wrong!

 

[CowboyFromHell]

Hey Caesar Salad - the personal attacks are because we don't need other supporters turning up on our board to criticise our team. If you don't like the recruiting policy then that's fine but find some place else to put your thoughts forward. Here is not the place.

Now sod off.

 

[caesar86]

I find it funny when supporters from opposition clubs come onto another team's board, introduce themselves by slamming said team's drafting history (backing it up with the highly unique debate of "How could they choose Watts over Natanui omg!"), and then call foul when they aren't accepted with open arms.

Have a read over part of my subsequent post. It shows that I am not one sided and offer a solution to the title of this thread...about where to play watts:

"I believe that Dees are playing Watts out of position as a defender just as what Carlton has done to Gibbs. To be fair to watts he was put forward as a young guy with no support, in a struggling team. This in turn affected his confidence. I still believe he is best suited to the role that Richo played in the latter part of his career...on the wing/midfield and regularly pushing into the forward line. He will benefit from having big bodies such as clark and dawes beside him. I hope that neeld doesnt make the same mistake as carlton did with gibbs and by playing watts in defence."

I think that it is valid to analyse the recruiting stragey of a club that hasn't tasted ultimate success for a long time. I am not saying that every club gets it right all the time. For example Carlton chose Luke Livingstone with pick 4 which turned out to be a bad decision.

But, in all my posts I have not personally attacked anyone. I have only raised opinions that happen to differ from others in the forum.

 

[Spirit of 39]

Have a read over part of my subsequent post. It shows that I am not one sided and offer a solution to the title of this thread...about where to play watts:

"I believe that Dees are playing Watts out of position as a defender just as what Carlton has done to Gibbs. To be fair to watts he was put forward as a young guy with no support, in a struggling team. This in turn affected his confidence. I still believe he is best suited to the role that Richo played in the latter part of his career...on the wing/midfield and regularly pushing into the forward line. He will benefit from having big bodies such as clark and dawes beside him. I hope that neeld doesnt make the same mistake as carlton did with gibbs and by playing watts in defence."

I think that it is valid to analyse the recruiting stragey of a club that hasn't tasted ultimate success for a long time. I am not saying that every club gets it right all the time. For example Carlton chose Luke Livingstone with pick 4 which turned out to be a bad decision.

But, in all my posts I have not personally attacked anyone. I have only raised opinions that happen to differ from others in the forum.

**** off!

 

[Ando727]

Have a read over part of my subsequent post. It shows that I am not one sided and offer a solution to the title of this thread...about where to play watts:

"I believe that Dees are playing Watts out of position as a defender just as what Carlton has done to Gibbs. To be fair to watts he was put forward as a young guy with no support, in a struggling team. This in turn affected his confidence. I still believe he is best suited to the role that Richo played in the latter part of his career...on the wing/midfield and regularly pushing into the forward line. He will benefit from having big bodies such as clark and dawes beside him. I hope that neeld doesnt make the same mistake as carlton did with gibbs and by playing watts in defence."

I think that it is valid to analyse the recruiting stragey of a club that hasn't tasted ultimate success for a long time. I am not saying that every club gets it right all the time. For example Carlton chose Luke Livingstone with pick 4 which turned out to be a bad decision.

But, in all my posts I have not personally attacked anyone. I have only raised opinions that happen to differ from others in the forum.

You're right, most of what you said was perfectly acceptable. Just consider next time that those troll-like statements don't go down well on club boards. If you hadn't made that one particular post, I think you would have been accepted very well here. We're not averse to opposition supporters coming in, in fact it is welcome, but it's one place where venting/point-scoring/playing loose with the truth/insulting won't go down well. We get enough of that crap on the main board.

 

[RandB]

Have a read over part of my subsequent post. It shows that I am not one sided and offer a solution to the title of this thread...about where to play watts:

"I believe that Dees are playing Watts out of position as a defender just as what Carlton has done to Gibbs. To be fair to watts he was put forward as a young guy with no support, in a struggling team. This in turn affected his confidence. I still believe he is best suited to the role that Richo played in the latter part of his career...on the wing/midfield and regularly pushing into the forward line. He will benefit from having big bodies such as clark and dawes beside him. I hope that neeld doesnt make the same mistake as carlton did with gibbs and by playing watts in defence."

I think that it is valid to analyse the recruiting stragey of a club that hasn't tasted ultimate success for a long time. I am not saying that every club gets it right all the time. For example Carlton chose Luke Livingstone with pick 4 which turned out to be a bad decision.

But, in all my posts I have not personally attacked anyone. I have only raised opinions that happen to differ from others in the forum.

You've made 6 posts on our board with no substance other than you think watts is suited to the wing - fine we get it.

Our recruiting history and recent performance is irrelevant in this discussion and we don't need opposition posters talking down to ours thanks.

You've reached your quota. Don't post on our board again.

 

[demon_dynasty13]

the funny thing is that Caesar is right

Watts should be up on a wing where he can use his talent and kicking skill to do damage forward of the centre

Will be wasted down back

 

[Gumblestar]

I wonder too if it's about being in more games where we have a chance of winning.

He doesn't instinctively put his body on the line; he weighs it up first, like a lot of footballers do. And if the team is getting well beaten, like we were in most games this year, there's very little to gain and a lot to lose by being reckless and risking serious injury.

But Jack will go hard & put his body on the line if the game's in the balance.

That is a disgraceful attitude to have. That is the sort of thing that instils a poor culture at clubs, picking and choosing when you will go for your team rather than going 100% creating a positive environment where success in every contest is craved.

Pitiful attitude and one I hope my players never harbour.

 

[PureFooty]

Jack Watts really frustrates me I just don't like his attitude. I really want him to do good, and am up in the air when he does good things, but he still looks as if he is happy to be an AFL player. I know his still young, I don't doubt he has talent, but he has zero excuses next year not to perform well. I hope he has learn't that he whether he likes it or not, holds great responsibility at the club. I honestly think his role as a loose defender was laughable. Opposition coaches never seemed to shut down his influence, because, quite frankly he didn't have any IMO. I don't think there is a position in the forward line for him after next year, and I don't think he has the competitive nature and ferosity to be a key defender. Maybe he can play off half back, but even then I still don't see him using this pace we know he has from his combine results in 08'. I'm intrigued to see what Neeld is going to do with him come next year.

 

[SPC 98]

Jack Watts really frustrates me I just don't like his attitude. I really want him to do good, and am up in the air when he does good things, but he still looks as if he is happy to be an AFL player. I know his still young, I don't doubt he has talent, but he has zero excuses next year not to perform well. I hope he has learn't that he whether he likes it or not, holds great responsibility at the club. I honestly think his role as a loose defender was laughable. Opposition coaches never seemed to shut down his influence, because, quite frankly he didn't have any IMO. I don't think there is a position in the forward line for him after next year, and I don't think he has the competitive nature and ferosity to be a key defender. Maybe he can play off half back, but even then I still don't see him using this pace we know he has from his combine results in 08'. I'm intrigued to see what Neeld is going to do with him come next year.

I have watched him closely in defense and he is disgraceful one on one. I hear people saying that he will make a good 3rd defender because of his speed and skill, but he just doesn't have the strength and positioning to make this spot his own. In fact i think Dunn is a better proposition as a natural defender.

Our forward line, looks strong for 2013 and stronger in 2014 onwards, so I'm not sure he will find a spot there. So what does that leave as at?, midfielder... Really? I think this has been the 'elephant in the room' are we creating a position to keep him in the side? and if so, how long can we carry this on?

In my opinion, he is played forward all next year and we see where he is at comes years end.

 

[Tulip]

That is a disgraceful attitude to have. That is the sort of thing that instils a poor culture at clubs, picking and choosing when you will go for your team rather than going 100% creating a positive environment where success in every contest is craved.

Pitiful attitude and one I hope my players never harbour.

They all did (besides Watson) in the second half of last year.

 

[Tulip]

I have watched him closely in defense and he is disgraceful one on one. I hear people saying that he will make a good 3rd defender because of his speed and skill, but he just doesn't have the strength and positioning to make this spot his own. In fact i think Dunn is a better proposition as a natural defender.

Our forward line, looks strong for 2013 and stronger in 2014 onwards, so I'm not sure he will find a spot there. So what does that leave as at?, midfielder... Really? I think this has been the 'elephant in the room' are we creating a position to keep him in the side? and if so, how long can we carry this on?

In my opinion, he is played forward all next year and we see where he is at comes years end.

Not an elephant in the room, aside from the fact that he could be even better. Bet the rest of you love 'punt it long and act tough' Lynden Dunn's attitude - when Watts is far better than him by foot which is a modern day HBF's role. At the back end of he year, not having Watts costed us games when the forward line started to fire.