Watts: raw or ready?

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by Kane McGoodwin
Why wouldn't he be stoked about coming to a great club such as the Crows! Makes a pleasant change from some of the other Melbourne juniors we have drafted who have appeared hesitant. Welcome Fergus!

It definetly is a nice change. He genuinely looked stoked and was practically jumping out of his skin. They showed a couple of his marks. One was Wayne Carey in his prime stuff.

I am stoked with this selection

Welcome Fergus Watts. Great to have you on board

 

[ant]

Originally posted by Stiffy_18
It definetly is a nice change. He genuinely looked stoked and was practically jumping out of his skin. They showed a couple of his marks. One was Wayne Carey in his prime stuff.

I am stoked with this selection

Welcome Fergus Watts. Great to have you on board

Alleluia to all of that!

That mark in the goalsquare going with the flight of the ball, exceptional stuff. And his goalkicking action looked competent too.

Seems like a good lad, hopefully he'll get lucky with injuries and get a chance to show some of that talent in the years to come.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by ant
Alleluia to all of that!

That mark in the goalsquare going with the flight of the ball, exceptional stuff. And his goalkicking action looked competent too.

Seems like a good lad, hopefully he'll get lucky with injuries and get a chance to show some of that talent in the years to come.

That mark was sensational stuff. Just needs to beef up a bit and he will go alright. He could really benefit from Wayne Carey.

 

[Jerome]

Originally posted by Stiffy_18
That mark was sensational stuff. Just needs to beef up a bit and he will go alright. He could really benefit from Wayne Carey.

I was pretty happy with what I just of him on Channel 10. Seems deadset keen to come and play here and learn from Carey. He should definatley get the # 6 jumper. Welcome abourd Mr Watts!

As for Carey, we really should keep him on as either the forward coach (this is unlikely as Jars has that gig) or junior development coach.

 

[ajmart]

Have to agree that Watts looked absolutely stoked to be coming to the Crows. Some others they interviewed said the right things but seemed to have some reservations and when you saw their body language when not being interviewed, made me wonder whether they were really happy, especially Port's first choice.

However, not only Watts, but his parents looked really happy. Hopefully, we have made the correct decision at last with a Vic Metro player.

We haven't had the best luck ( or made the best decisions ) with some of our interstate draftees and I would be certain that is why we didn't draft Hall as his attitude to leaving Perth left a lot to be desired. I'm sure, having been stung by homesick interstaters, that our drafting team would have taken all that into account.

Cheers,

a.j.

 

[macca23]

Originally posted by ajmart
Have to agree that Watts looked absolutely stoked to be coming to the Crows. Some others they interviewed said the right things but seemed to have some reservations and when you saw their body language when not being interviewed, made me wonder whether they were really happy, especially Port's first choice.

However, not only Watts, but his parents looked really happy. Hopefully, we have made the correct decision at last with a Vic Metro player.

That was the good thing wasn't it??? Watts AND his family looked like they'd won lotto when he was drafted by us. And the body language said "yep, I really am happy about this"!!

You were dead right about some of the others though. Although they made all the right noises, they looked like they'd ordered a steak and got served up with a steaming hot **** on the plate instead!!

Chaplin certainly fitted that category.

Adelaide had quite a few talks with Hall about drafting him prior to the draft, and perhaps his body language turned them off him in the end.

 

[spindoctor]

Sounds like it must be. Certainyl when I read the interview with him I didn't like his attitude about leaving.

Sounded like 'I'll fulfil my contract to start my AFL career, then I'm off home'

 

[Stiffy_18]

Guys I made a few calls to find out a thing or 2 about Ben Hudson. Apparently he has played the game for only 3 years and has come on in leaps and bounds. A QLDer who moved to Melbourne and has come 2nd in the Werribee best and fairest. Can go forward and kick a goal.

Also found out some of the stupidest reasons why we didn't draft Hall. His aerobic base is poor and we felt that is would take some 2-3 years to get it to acceprtable level. AFC also felt that Krueger has the ability to play as a forward AND a defender. AFC also felt that it was better to get a ruckman that is a local boy

With our pick 58 we were definetly going to take Mott but Carlton snapped him up right under our nose. AFC felt that Hudson was the 2nd best ready-made ruckman.

 

[spindoctor]

Fair enough on Hudson, sounds pretty alright as a back-up, might be a gem. He's about the right age for a prime ruckman.

If those are the only reasons for not taking Hall, they seem wrong. Hall's natural ability would likely outweigh his fitness, and as he is so young it would take them about two years to develop him anyway.

Krueger's around-the-ground skills better be good if that's the reason we've taken him. I'm not worried about his ruckwork, as the ruck unit can improve him with proper training - FFS he was at Glenelg, a bottom side. Our ruck unit turned Biglands into a great ruckman, surely Krueger can be as well. It is the ability to take marks you can't teach, and if Krueger has that over Hall more power to him.

 

[Jerome]

Originally posted by Stiffy_18
Guys I made a few calls to find out a thing or 2 about Ben Hudson. Apparently he has played the game for only 3 years and has come on in leaps and bounds. A QLDer who moved to Melbourne and has come 2nd in the Werribee best and fairest. Can go forward and kick a goal.

AFC also felt that Krueger has the ability to play as a forward AND a defender. AFC also felt that it was better to get a ruckman that is a local boy

I agree with going for a ruckman who is a local boy. Looks like we've learnt our lessons from Gilligan/Angwin.

Good to see we've picked blokes who can play a variety of roles and whose marking is a strong feature of their game. We desperatley need big blokes who can take marks around the ground.

 

[Gets!]

Originally posted by PrideOf
Well, now that we've got Watts, I hope we throw tradition out the window and GIVE THE KID A GAME.

HERE BLOODY HERE!

 

[Gets!]

Originally posted by spindoctor
Fair enough on Hudson, sounds pretty alright as a back-up, might be a gem. He's about the right age for a prime ruckman.

If those are the only reasons for not taking Hall, they seem wrong. Hall's natural ability would likely outweigh his fitness, and as he is so young it would take them about two years to develop him anyway.

Krueger's around-the-ground skills better be good if that's the reason we've taken him. I'm not worried about his ruckwork, as the ruck unit can improve him with proper training - FFS he was at Glenelg, a bottom side. Our ruck unit turned Biglands into a great ruckman, surely Krueger can be as well. It is the ability to take marks you can't teach, and if Krueger has that over Hall more power to him.

Who'd ya call to find that out?

 

[Thunderstruck]

Very happy with Watts, as stiffy said his agression will do us no harm in the forward lines, we have really lacked a key forward like that in the past since Moda who can hang onto a grab in the packs, Perrie can do it a bit so can carey altho he aint what he was. Watts is a real genuine excitement prospect, lets hope his style of play doesnt lead to injury after injury, we would firstly want to whack on 10KG to his frame that will take about 2 years, and play him in the SANFL a lot but def expose him this year at AFL for a few games.

Ive always had a funny feeling about Krueger, the first time i saw him play I thought, hmm a chance to be drafted, very very raw hardly heard of him b4 that but what he did for Glenelg deserved all praise, looks the goods, is 21 so should be fast tracked, lets hope he can be the premier ruckman for Glenelg to start with, they have Cranston, Griffiths, Golding down there as well.

Hudson, must admit I didnt have the foggiest who he was, but a 24Year old, 2nd in B&F at a VFL level clubs is great so he can ruck, also good to read he competed well against AFL ruckman dropped to the VFL such as Alessio and Street. 200cm 90KG sounds like Ben Marsh but must be better than that, also younger. be interesting to see him develop.

I really do like Watts tho, to be honest I dont think Bradley is all that great, he seems a tad in between for his size, altho Fletcher is the same type. I liken Watts to cross between Riewoldt and Dermie, he said himself he models his game on Dermie, certainly a good choice, hell wouldn't mind if he turns out half as good as him, be great to have finally a real decent CHF for 10-15years, a problem position for us over the years gone by.

 

[spindoctor]

Where'd you find out that stuff bout Hudson?

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by Thunderstruck
Hudson, must admit I didnt have the foggiest who he was, but a 24Year old, 2nd in B&F at a VFL level clubs is great so he can ruck, also good to read he competed well against AFL ruckman dropped to the VFL such as Alessio and Street. 200cm 90KG sounds like Ben Marsh but must be better than that, also younger. be interesting to see him develop.

He is heavier than that mate, 199 cm / 98 kg. To be perfectly honest Alessio, Loats and Street aren't much of a competition.

We can't really do worse than Marsh. For starters, Hudson is younger, has only played footy for 3 years, and is still developing.

I am really looking forward to seeing him play. I am not expecting anything big except a decent back up if Clarke or Biglands get injured.

As for Krueger, he is more of a key forward than a ruckman and I honestly thing AFC have given us p|ss weak excuses for selecting Krueger over Hall. Hall is a genuine ruckman while Kruegeris touch undersized. I would like to see us develop him into a player that can play a few different roles (ala Pittman)

As for Watts, I am stoked.

 

[spindoctor]

Hall ain't a local boy. AFC feel burnt.

 

[macca23]

Originally posted by Stiffy_18


As for Krueger, he is more of a key forward than a ruckman and I honestly thing AFC have given us p|ss weak excuses for selecting Krueger over Hall. Hall is a genuine ruckman while Kruegeris touch undersized. I would like to see us develop him into a player that can play a few different roles (ala Pittman)

Let's reserve our judgement on this one Stiffy. At this stage Hall has only played colts at WA level which isn't the flashest comp in the world. Krueger has played league at SANFL level and according to reports is very athletic, can take a contested mark, is versatile and kept improving as the year went on

I think it was the Age which suggested that Hall was a project type player that would take at least a couple of years to develop, and that Collingwood had gambled by taking him. Project players have an enormous failure rate IMO.

In 2 to 3 years time, you might be saying "thank God we didn't take Hall".

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by macca23
Let's reserve our judgement on this one Stiffy. At this stage Hall has only played colts at WA level which isn't the flashest comp in the world. Krueger has played league at SANFL level and according to reports is very athletic, can take a contested mark, is versatile and kept improving as the year went on

I think it was the Age which suggested that Hall was a project type player that would take at least a couple of years to develop, and that Collingwood had gambled by taking him. Project players have an enormous failure rate IMO.

In 2 to 3 years time, you might be saying "thank God we didn't take Hall".

I will reserve my judgement. Hopefully Krueger is one of those blokes that improve out of sight after a pre-season with an AFL club

BUT I am stoked about this one:

 

[naughty monkey]

Originally posted by Stiffy_18
Also found out some of the stupidest reasons why we didn't draft Hall. His aerobic base is poor and we felt that is would take some 2-3 years to get it to acceprtable level. AFC also felt that Krueger has the ability to play as a forward AND a defender. AFC also felt that it was better to get a ruckman that is a local boy

And next time you speak to your source Stiffy, you can tell Fanta he has a cabbage for a head.

The absolute easiest thing to do with an AFL footballer is to get him fit. FUGGEN ANYBODY CAN DO IT.

We are talking about a 17 year old ruckman for Kernahan's sake. He won't play for 2-3 years anyway!

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by naughty monkey
And next time you speak to your source Stiffy, you can tell Fanta he has a cabbage for a head.

The absolute easiest thing to do with an AFL footballer is to get him fit. FUGGEN ANYBODY CAN DO IT.

We are talking about a 17 year old ruckman for Kernahan's sake. He won't play for 2-3 years anyway!

Mate I am as confused and p|ssed off as you are.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Watts was on 5AA and I must say he is an impressive young man who is jumping out of his skin to play for AFC. During the press conference today @ West Lakes, he said that he is here to stay. He sees himself as a one team player and wants to play out his career with the Crows.

Very impressed with him. He handles himself well in the media. He played most of his football as a defender and it was only this year that he was moved up forward and never looked back. He prefers playing in the forward line and he likes to split packs and take marks. Thats exactly what we need

 

[Crow-mosone]

Originally posted by Stiffy_18
VERY surprised that Gayfer was overlooked. I would have snapped him up with 67 in a second. The fact that we didn't tells us one of the following:

* our recruiting group has no bloody idea (and after our 2nd round debacle, I am beggining to wonder)
* our salary cap is so tight that we simply cannot afford it.

Either way, I am not happy. More to the point why didn't we get Hall with our 2nd pick??????

It tells us 1 thing only:
that we didn't want gayfer and we didn't want hall - at least not at the price of one of our 2 first picks.

 

[macca23]

Originally posted by Crow-mosone
It tells us 1 thing only:
that we didn't want gayfer and we didn't want hall - at least not at the price of one of our 2 first picks.

Well it does - that's unarguable.

Unlike Stiffy, I don't have the hots for Hall as he's proven SFA so far, having only played at colts level in WA. He could be an absolute dud - too risky to take too early.

Gayfer has me confused. I've seen him play twice and he can really play. I would have snaffled him like steam at #67. Until the last 2 to 3 weeks he was being touted by all and sundry as a first round draft pick, and yet no club picks him up in the end.

Who gives a fat rat's clacker if he performed lousy at the draft camp. He can play - that doesn't change. He's a footballer not an athlete.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by macca23
Well it does - that's unarguable.

Unlike Stiffy, I don't have the hots for Hall as he's proven SFA so far, having only played at colts level in WA. He could be an absolute dud - too risky to take too early.

Gayfer has me confused. I've seen him play twice and he can really play. I would have snaffled him like steam at #67. Until the last 2 to 3 weeks he was being touted by all and sundry as a first round draft pick, and yet no club picks him up in the end.

Who gives a fat rat's clacker if he performed lousy at the draft camp. He can play - that doesn't change. He's a footballer not an athlete.

C'mon macca23. Any underage ruckman is a gamble.

Hall is a 17 year old. TO expect him to play against man is a bit too much IMHO. Krueger made his SANFL debut as a 19 year old. He played a handful of rather forgetable SANFL games for a team thats crying our for a good tall. At least Hall is a "real" ruckman who is 198 cm not an undersized one who is average with his ruckwork. Hall's ruckwork is more advanced than Krueger's.

Both Krueger and Hall would have been gambles at 31 but with one of them you are at least getting a true ruckman who is 2-3 years younger and with greater scope for improvement.

 

[macca23]

Originally posted by Stiffy_18
C'mon macca23. Any underage ruckman is a gamble.

Both Krueger and Hall would have been gambles at 31 but with one of them you are at least getting a true ruckman who is 2-3 years younger and with greater scope for improvement.

I'm not saying you're wrong Stiffy.

I'm saying that we have different views re Hall, that's all. You see him as a top ruckman of the future, I see him as one of these project players with whom you can fall on your arse all too easily. We may both be wrong and he might fall into something in between.

Either way I'm happy to go along with the AFC on this one as their stated reasons for taking Krueger in preference make sense to me.