Watts

[wonna]

Watts just needs to look at a kid like Scully for inspiration. Here's a kid who barely weighs more than my ballsack, and he continually puts his body on the line and never shirks a contest. Watts needs to toughen up and grow some hairy balls over summer. I can put up with the kid not kicking any goals or not getting many possies, but i can't stand any player in the red and blue jumper not putting his body on the line. I don't care how old or how skinny you are...

Crusty Demon???

...Is that you???


[youtube]SbP-mMQldmI[/youtube]

 

[Rojik of the Arctic]

I've backed him completely this (and last) year but I found myself yelling "FFS! Grow some testicles!" in the 1st Q. He went harder after that but I think it was only because he got a rocket and not because it was part of his plan.

I agree with the OP that a good crunching that doesn't injure him might make a big difference to him.

You can have all the talent in the world but a fear of the contest will leave you as a fringe player at best.

 

[Ando727]

I've backed him completely this (and last) year but I found myself yelling "FFS! Grow some testicles!" in the 1st Q. He went harder after that but I think it was only because he got a rocket and not because it was part of his plan.

I agree with the OP that a good crunching that doesn't injure him might make a big difference to him.

You can have all the talent in the world but a fear of the contest will leave you as a fringe player at best.

Let's assume that he is, in fact, deathly afraid of the mere hint of a contest. People confront and conquer fears every day. There is no reason to be sure that he will be afraid of these contests forever. You can't know what is happening in a player's mind, nor can you know the changes that may happen in that player's mind.

I'd be willing to bet that every single player on this board was once afraid of something when they were younger which they are now no longer afraid of.

Watts may need to experience something to turn that corner, but we should recognise the possibility that he might. If we don't, we should also deny ourselves the possibility of changing. Yet most of us, if we are honest, imagine ourselves changing in some way every day.

It's easy to stand in a grandstand and shout commands and tell somebody what they should be doing and how brave they should be.

I'd also remind people that a few seasons ago, most people were talking about how useless Mark Jamar is and how he will never be a patch on Darren Jolly. Things can change, and they can change quickly.

 

[richoatthedisco]

he did get 5 tackles as well though, just thought it was worth noting...

If I had a dollar for every time I'd read that in a Tambling thread...

 

[Gazza_11]

 

[Ageing Demon]

Whatever he may be in the fututre he is simply not earning his spot at present.
5 kicks ( 2 off the ground ) and 1 mark does not justify your spot in the team, remember we lost! And please do not say we have to get games into him, from yesterdays performance I doubt he has improved in the last 8 weeks.
It must look a bit raw to a number of the other young guys like Maric who put in one average game and they are out. How come the same approach does not apply to them.
Back to Casey for the last two games please, we need Morton and Bate to win in Adelaide, Watts will not gets us across the line.

 

[BigSexc]

Vindication/

 

[Andy_Mac]

Whatever he may be in the fututre he is simply not earning his spot at present.
5 kicks ( 2 off the ground ) and 1 mark does not justify your spot in the team, remember we lost! And please do not say we have to get games into him, from yesterdays performance I doubt he has improved in the last 8 weeks.
It must look a bit raw to a number of the other young guys like Maric who put in one average game and they are out. How come the same approach does not apply to them.
Back to Casey for the last two games please, we need Morton and Bate to win in Adelaide, Watts will not gets us across the line.

I'm sorry, but that's a contradiction. You can't drop Watts because he's not holding his place in the team but then suggest we replace him with Bate and/or Morton. If Watts is dropped for a poor performance then Brad Miller is straight in.

In any case Dunn was clearly worse than Watts yesterday. Hardly touched the ball, and even worse allowed Hodge to get goal side of him (that resulted in a goal to Hodge) and failed to chase his opponent on the southern stand side wing. At least Watts chased hard, won 5 tackles and at least one smother.

What people fail to understand is how difficult it is for basketballers to transition across to footy. In Watts’ case it’s manifested in the form of physical contact. He's not scared of getting hurt, watch how he throws himself to smother the ball it’s his first reaction is to “steal” the ball rather than “lay a bump” etc.

 

[DonMare]

Our season is over, we won't make finals, so there's no point dropping Watts to the VFL.

Keep him in the AFL squad and get 2 more games into him.

 

[saj_21]

What people fail to understand is how difficult it is for basketballers to transition across to footy. In Watts’ case it’s manifested in the form of physical contact. He's not scared of getting hurt, watch how he throws himself to smother the ball it’s his first reaction is to “steal” the ball rather than “lay a bump” etc.

I am glad you stuck up for Watts, but he has been playing football since he was 10 there has been no transition. Football would of been his main sport the last 3 years of his life around the time he committed to the Vic metro side before getting drafted.

All the reactions on here are harsh, he is not physical player as yet he may or may not develop that into his game. I don't he shirks every contest like some people mentioned, sure some players from time to time shirk a contest but the majority of players commit to the contest each and every time (altho to varying degrees).

He is a smart footballer, which may sometime curb a natrual instict to attack the footy not in fear but in a way to better the outcome of the situation he is in. There are some players who play on instinct and recklessly throw there bodies around but its not always the correct option.

I have complete faith in Watts, just give him time to get his body in right shape and size to compete physcially with the bigger opponents he plays on. Once he has the body and the confidence he will be more physical.

 

[RedLegs#5]

He's a kid. Lay off and give him a few pre-seasons. The most over discussed topic on this site. Watts watts watts.

Sh*t UP!

 

[BigSexc]

This song is how i feel right now listening to you people crap on about what i have been crapping on about for the past 12 months!!!

[YOUTUBE]MCQ7VLoY7bQ[/YOUTUBE]

hate to say i told you so!!!

nah i love it!

 

[Andy_Mac]

I am glad you stuck up for Watts, but he has been playing football since he was 10 there has been no transition. Football would of been his main sport the last 3 years of his life around the time he committed to the Vic metro side before getting drafted.

Didn't know that. All i know is that to me he looks like a bloke that is still trying to play basket ball on a football field.

Also, whats with him not having shots. First quarter, 30m out 45 degree angle. Pull the trigger son!!

 

[stretcharmstrong]

You guys jump off pretty quick!!

I don't think I've ever seen a teenager cop as much shit as Watts does... it's as if everyone in the football world (including some of his own fans!!!) want him to fail.

Well I have faith in the kid and have no doubt he'll make it. He's not Glenn Archer and never will be, but neither is Liam Jurrah and he seems to do OK. It's clear as day that he's trying hard out there, 5 tackles today is testament to that.
It was a poor game from Jack today, but it was on the back of 2 months of promising performances.

NIce to see some reason shining through

 

[stretcharmstrong]

Let's assume that he is, in fact, deathly afraid of the mere hint of a contest. People confront and conquer fears every day. There is no reason to be sure that he will be afraid of these contests forever. You can't know what is happening in a player's mind, nor can you know the changes that may happen in that player's mind.

I'd be willing to bet that every single player on this board was once afraid of something when they were younger which they are now no longer afraid of.

Watts may need to experience something to turn that corner, but we should recognise the possibility that he might. If we don't, we should also deny ourselves the possibility of changing. Yet most of us, if we are honest, imagine ourselves changing in some way every day.

It's easy to stand in a grandstand and shout commands and tell somebody what they should be doing and how brave they should be.

I'd also remind people that a few seasons ago, most people were talking about how useless Mark Jamar is and how he will never be a patch on Darren Jolly. Things can change, and they can change quickly.

^ here also.

 

[stretcharmstrong]

I am glad you stuck up for Watts, but he has been playing football since he was 10 there has been no transition. Football would of been his main sport the last 3 years of his life around the time he committed to the Vic metro side before getting drafted.

All the reactions on here are harsh, he is not physical player as yet he may or may not develop that into his game. I don't he shirks every contest like some people mentioned, sure some players from time to time shirk a contest but the majority of players commit to the contest each and every time (altho to varying degrees).

He is a smart footballer, which may sometime curb a natrual instict to attack the footy not in fear but in a way to better the outcome of the situation he is in. There are some players who play on instinct and recklessly throw there bodies around but its not always the correct option.

I have complete faith in Watts, just give him time to get his body in right shape and size to compete physcially with the bigger opponents he plays on. Once he has the body and the confidence he will be more physical.

^ and here.

/thread

 

[THE D]

You guys jump off pretty quick!!

I don't think I've ever seen a teenager cop as much shit as Watts does... it's as if everyone in the football world (including some of his own fans!!!) want him to fail.

Well I have faith in the kid and have no doubt he'll make it. He's not Glenn Archer and never will be, but neither is Liam Jurrah and he seems to do OK. It's clear as day that he's trying hard out there, 5 tackles today is testament to that.
It was a poor game from Jack today, but it was on the back of 2 months of promising performances.

Your right. Except Jurrah has played less games, weighs less yet still throws himself at the marking contest and plays in a key post for us forward. Has taken some big marks, kicked some great goals and put his body on the line by crashing a pack and causing a crumb many times for us in his very few AFL games.
Watts crashing a pack (or even attempting a pack mark) seems so distant a fantasy as a lotto win.

Jurrah was never rated in the same cosmos as Watts but guess what?.....

One of them is grabbing AFL by the horns and demanding respect and his spot in this great game, while the other thinks it's rightfully his and needs the suitcase knocked out of him.

You be the judge

 

[Ageing Demon]

I'm sorry, but that's a contradiction. You can't drop Watts because he's not holding his place in the team but then suggest we replace him with Bate and/or Morton. If Watts is dropped for a poor performance then Brad Miller is straight in.

In any case Dunn was clearly worse than Watts yesterday. Hardly touched the ball, and even worse allowed Hodge to get goal side of him (that resulted in a goal to Hodge) and failed to chase his opponent on the southern stand side wing. At least Watts chased hard, won 5 tackles and at least one smother.

What people fail to understand is how difficult it is for basketballers to transition across to footy. In Watts’ case it’s manifested in the form of physical contact. He's not scared of getting hurt, watch how he throws himself to smother the ball it’s his first reaction is to “steal” the ball rather than “lay a bump” etc.

I was at last weeks game for Casey, Morton and Bate played a lot better than Miller and even though I have been a Miller fan he is not the future.
Dunn had one bad game Watts has struggled to have one good one.
We are talking about wether Watts should be dropped.
He cleared struggles in the wet and the Adelaide ground is wet at present.
So do not take him over for another poor game, give him a spell at Casey.
I want him to live up to his No.1 spot however
simply willing it will not make it happen he has to produce and somtimes a rest at a lower level can do the trick.
And you know what I do not care how hard it is for basketballers to make the transition! If you are the no.1 pick and come to play AFL then you either can or you can't, clearly we all want him to succeed as we need a big power forward just look at Hawthorn, Franklin got them over the line.
I am not saving lock him up and throw away the key. I just think a spell at Casey would do him more good than harm at present.

 

[Rojik of the Arctic]

Let's assume that he is, in fact, deathly afraid of the mere hint of a contest. People confront and conquer fears every day. There is no reason to be sure that he will be afraid of these contests forever. You can't know what is happening in a player's mind, nor can you know the changes that may happen in that player's mind. etc

You are running on the assumption I am bagging him - I'm not. I am just pointing out that it is a part of his game that he needs to work on if he is going to live up to his potential. He doesn't have to be crazy brave like Rivers but he does need to go harder at the ball and enjoy the prospect of contact.

The OP is correct that getting crunched a couple of times and realising it is not the end of the world will do young Jack some good.

 

[davey_magik]

After watching him for 18 months now, I think there are three things that will stop him from being a superstar:

1. Putting on weight
2. Improving his workrate to the level that a CHF should have
3. Hardness at the contest

I think he'll get there, I'll admit I'd like to see him go harder, but he'll learn in time, and I'm sure it is something Bailey will bring up with him behind closed doors.

 

[Andy_Mac]

Your right. Except Jurrah has played less games, weighs less yet still throws himself at the marking contest and plays in a key post for us forward. Has taken some big marks, kicked some great goals and put his body on the line by crashing a pack and causing a crumb many times for us in his very few AFL games.
Watts crashing a pack (or even attempting a pack mark) seems so distant a fantasy as a lotto win.

Jurrah was never rated in the same cosmos as Watts but guess what?.....

One of them is grabbing AFL by the horns and demanding respect and his spot in this great game, while the other thinks it's rightfully his and needs the suitcase knocked out of him.

You be the judge

Jurrah is probably a bad example. Clearly he comes from a whole different background that I for one could not begin to understand. But Jurrah has played against men. Hard men in the VFL and back north, as he is still 3 years older the Watts.

Watts is the product of the private school system. No he is not a hard nut by nature, and no I don’t think Jack will ever get tats on his neck etc. We picked a kid that had played no senior footy and was finishing year 11. He was bottom age so his draft class by rights could and maybe should have been 2009.

Has anyone seen Butcher, Talia or Aaron Black play AFL footy this year? Ben Griffiths although played a couple of games was only getting 3 touches a game prior to injury. I think we need some perspective.

Maturity and life experience has no substitute, in life and in footy.

 

[The Dr]

Jurrah is probably a bad example. Clearly he comes from a whole different background that I for one could not begin to understand. But Jurrah has played against men. Hard men in the VFL and back north, as he is still 3 years older the Watts.

Watts is the product of the private school system. No he is not a hard nut by nature, and no I don’t think Jack will ever get tats on his neck etc. We picked a kid that had played no senior footy and was finishing year 11. He was bottom age so his draft class by rights could and maybe should have been 2009.

Has anyone seen Butcher, Talia or Aaron Black play AFL footy this year? Ben Griffiths although played a couple of games was only getting 3 touches a game prior to injury. I think we need some perspective.

Maturity and life experience has no substitute, in life and in footy.

Actually, that's a great point.

 

[mattyc25]

Jurrah is probably a bad example. Clearly he comes from a whole different background that I for one could not begin to understand. But Jurrah has played against men. Hard men in the VFL and back north, as he is still 3 years older the Watts.

Watts is the product of the private school system. No he is not a hard nut by nature, and no I don’t think Jack will ever get tats on his neck etc. We picked a kid that had played no senior footy and was finishing year 11. He was bottom age so his draft class by rights could and maybe should have been 2009.

Has anyone seen Butcher, Talia or Aaron Black play AFL footy this year? Ben Griffiths although played a couple of games was only getting 3 touches a game prior to injury. I think we need some perspective.

Maturity and life experience has no substitute, in life and in footy.

That is total BS.


Among others Jack Dyer, Kevin Sheedy and John Kennedy Snr went to the same private school as I did. Don't think any of them are regarded in a certain way due to their school background...

Watts attack on the ball is not hard enough. He takes short steps. It is to do with him not his background.

 

[Ando727]

Among others Jack Dyer, Kevin Sheedy and John Kennedy Snr went to the same private school as I did. Don't think any of them are regarded in a certain way due to their school background...

But we aren't comparing you to anyone. Surely it would have been better to find a list of tough players from Watts' school to make that argument. I would have to say from my experience going to a public school that was very close to a private school, on average, the public school kids were a whole lot tougher than the privates. There were always a few thugs at the private schools too though - but they were tough before they even got to private school. In fact, sometimes the reason they are at private school is to try and take some of the thug out of them. The athletics programs at the privates were a lot better, but it wasn't as tough an environment as a public school. Which is not to say that plenty of tough players didn't go to private schools, but these schools don't promote or generate toughness. A lot of public schools make you have to be tough to even get through a day there.

Watts attack on the ball is not hard enough. He takes short steps. It is to do with him not his background.

That's true. It's what he and the club need to work on. Take him down to Beemer's boxing camp again - maybe even let him run it for a day. Might bring out his inner-mongrel.

 

[Selective Retention]

I've seen Watts out and about a few times recently and the guy was struggling to walk. Both times it was late in the week, so it wasn't as if he had just pulled up from a game.