Watts

[ThePuppetMaster]

i have full faith in Watts, he has the ability, he has the desire to become a quality leader as well, remember Nick Reiwoldt was called soft early in his career, as was Hodge in his first 3 seasons (shudder) both are now some of the most courageous players in the league now, when he gains confidence he will deliver on all fronts... he needs time, all of you doubting him after a very promising last 4-5 weeks, simply have no idea about football, don't you remember when he set up a goal, had 8 disposals last week (in the last quarter), and was integral in winning us the game?? (along with scully)... you are way to quick to jump on him after one ordinary performance

 

[Andy_Mac]

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.

My comments were not intend to reflect his school, but the level of footy he's previously played. I'm sure if he'd grown up playing senior and underage footy in a country league (al la Jordie McKenzie) he'd be more accustomed to the crash and bash but he didn't, he played school footy. In time he will fell comfortable with the body contact but I certainly feel that he’s entitled to feel a little intimidated given the hype that surrounds him (evident by the Collingwood disgrace last year) that there is just the smallest target on his back.

Christ I’d be shyting myself knowing that there are blokes like Jono Brown running around collecting blokes.

 

[Tempy Tiger]

So the consensus is that:
1. Jack is too soft at the moment and not attacking the contest;
2. He will be ok when he puts some weight on just like Green and Riewoldt;
3. He is never going to be Rod Grinter mkII
4. He needs to get to Beamers boxing camp and get that private school silver spoon slapped out of his mouth

 

[davey_magik]

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.

Good point, he's probably not up to AFL level fitness and won't be till next year at the earliest.

 

[whelan=legend]

Lol. Just like all you plebs that bagged Frawley at the end of his second season.

Can't wait to see this thread bumped in 2012, where I am proved right again

 

[DemonBlood]

Watts - A second year player at the age of 18 who hasnt had a full pre-season. Travis Cloke wasnt that great when he started he needed a couple years.. Give Watts a break.

 

[StingaArmstrong]

All this negativity has come from our thirst for success, after so long down the bottom we want results and WE WANT THEM NOW DAMNIT!!!

Watts will take time to progress to the level we want him to be at, there aren't too many 19 year old key forwards dominating the game around is there? So we need to show patience him and I belive that his desire and confidence to crash packs will come from him actually being able to physically do it. So that's at least two preseasons away. He is playing up the ground so is probably getting a bit lost on the field, not being able to time his leads properly and our skill level is still a way from being perfect.

I'm prepared to give him time and I hope others do too.

 

[Ageing Demon]

All this negativity has come from our thirst for success, after so long down the bottom we want results and WE WANT THEM NOW DAMNIT!!!

Watts will take time to progress to the level we want him to be at, there aren't too many 19 year old key forwards dominating the game around is there? So we need to show patience him and I belive that his desire and confidence to crash packs will come from him actually being able to physically do it. So that's at least two preseasons away. He is playing up the ground so is probably getting a bit lost on the field, not being able to time his leads properly and our skill level is still a way from being perfect.

I'm prepared to give him time and I hope others do too.

Stinga I agree with you on most of the above however does that mean he gets to play every game despite his form? do we play him for the next two seasons every game without question?

 

[stickman11]

Perfectly said my man.

I have defended this kid to the hilt against all comers but today he made me and our club look stupid.

I don't care how skinny he is or his minimal number in the games column. He lacks desire and that makes me sick. Even as a skinny kid he is 197cm and above the average weight for an AFL footballer so to fear a hit is to be a coward and Jack might just be one. Scully, Trengove, James Mcdonald etc don't have the height or weight that Jack does but they go in hard for the footy and this is why opposition supporters have a field day with us over Jack.

Today I was left speechless and flattened by the realisation that while he may become a good player, He will never be a star. A star has a natural thirst for the contest and an appetite for the physical side of the game.

Jack possesses neither.

Great kick
Great handball
and that's about it.


The Messiah he ain't

LOL Great post.

 

[Wonaeamirri33]

Watts - A second year player at the age of 18 who hasnt had a full pre-season. Travis Cloke wasnt that great when he started he needed a couple years.. Give Watts a break.

Exactly right. It's just plain stupid to be running down Watts at this point.

Leaving aside the fact that he's actually played well in recent months. Jeez, if he gets bagged like this by some people when he's performing decently, how much shite would he cop if he was actually playing badly?

Moreover, Watts laid 5 tackles on the weekend. That's more than all but 8 players on the field that day.

Seems like most of us are on the same page here, but at least a few are sorely in need of a little more perspective, I reckon...

 

[dutchy12]

I remember watching David Schwartz and Neita in their first two years. IMO Watts has out performed both

 

[stickman11]

I remember watching David Schwartz and Neita in their first two years. IMO Watts has out performed both

Didn't Neitz kick 6 goals in one game in his first year.

Second year Neitz was selected for Victoria.

Are you sure you watched Neita?

 

[Crusty Demon]

I remember watching David Schwartz and Neita in their first two years. IMO Watts has out performed both

That's not what we are discussing. We all know the kid can play and will be a very good player for the MFC. What we are wanting more from Jack is to put his head over the ball. Win some free kicks by getting to the contest and winning a hard ball. I don't care if he doesn't take a mark for the game, all i want to see from him is to TRY and win a contested mark!

We all know the kids got skills, his kicking and hands are among the best of his size we have seen at our club. But all i want to see from Jack next season, is to TRY and compete for the hard ball. He is a big piece of the puzzle that needs to fit, for us going forward. As a paying member I want to see every single player that runs out for our side to put his body on the line. What i saw of his efforts on Sunday, i beleive he avoided contact at all costs, and that's not good enough when in the same team a younger and smaller bloke called Tom Scully was attacking the footy like his life depended on it!

 

[stretcharmstrong]

How often do you knob-ends need to hear it???

Jack Watts is not Nic Nat and he is not Tom Scully.

He is a completely different type of player and really should not be compared to either.

 

[demonfan9]

One poor game after a good two month stretch and the critics jump on his back again.

 

[Ando727]

One poor game after a good two month stretch and the critics jump on his back again.

Except this time, it's coming from us!

Everyone, take a few deep breaths and let the emotions about the Hawks game settle. It's not as dire as all that.

 

[Demon 16]

You guys are right.. He's so far behind all the other 19 y/o CHFs in the AFL.

Delist!

 

[00Stinger]

Didn't Neitz kick 6 goals in one game in his first year.

Second year Neitz was selected for Victoria.

Are you sure you watched Neita?

Neitz was a backman for his first few years so I'm pretty sure he never kicked 6 goals in his first year.

 

[Andy_Mac]

One is a 300 game, former captain, AA, and coleman medal winning champion of the game, the other an undersized 19 yo. KPF in his first full year in the AFL.

Lets take a look at there respective careers:

Compare: Neitz/Watts
Disposals: 10.8/12.2
Marks: 4.9/4.1
Goals: 2.1/0.7
Tackles: 0.9/0.9
Hit outs: 1.0/0.5

Hmmm… Watts. What a spud!

 

[The Quite Man]

Neitz played first game on 27th March 1993 & kicked 6 Goals in a 93 point win against richmond on 30th april 1993

http://afl.allthestats.com/index.ph...&catid=49&Itemid=56&pl=10382&itm=1&qry=1&pg=2

but is a different player to Watts

Watts will be a good player is still developing his game should play the rest of season, what benifit do we gain in droping him?

 

[Crusty Demon]

How often do you knob-ends need to hear it???

Jack Watts is not Nic Nat and he is not Tom Scully.

He is a completely different type of player and really should not be compared to either.

I know he's a different type of player to Tom Scully, i just want him to keep his eyes on the ball and put his body on the line LIKE Tom Scully. There's a kid who's not scared of a contest.

When Jack has the ball, I'm confident in his ability to make the right decision and execute. However, i cringe everytime he's involved in a contest. He fumbles far too often, and he clearly is avoiding as many contests as possible. He nearly always runs under the high ball and if there's a 50/50 contested ball to be won, he does not go in hard enough. He's more than happy to tackle the opponent rather than trying to win the contested ball. And this has me worried. He needs that hunger for the contest.

I'm praying that when he puts on some more bulk, he will gain the confidence to go in harder than what he is right now. But courage is not easy to teach.

 

[Surkin]

I know he's a different type of player to Tom Scully, i just want him to keep his eyes on the ball and put his body on the line LIKE Tom Scully. There's a kid who's not scared of a contest.

When Jack has the ball, I'm confident in his ability to make the right decision and execute. However, i cringe everytime he's involved in a contest. He fumbles far too often, and he clearly is avoiding as many contests as possible. He nearly always runs under the high ball and if there's a 50/50 contested ball to be won, he does not go in hard enough. He's more than happy to tackle the opponent rather than trying to win the contested ball. And this has me worried. He needs that hunger for the contest.

I'm praying that when he puts on some more bulk, he will gain the confidence to go in harder than what he is right now. But courage is not easy to teach.

Bingo! You have summed up my feelings perfectly. What concerns me most is when he is in the position to get to the ball first but instead waits for his opponent then tackles. No wonder he had 5 tackles on the weekend.

He needs to look at the approach of his young teammate Tom Scully and future captain Brad Green and the way they attack the ball. Or even better take him to watch the best centre half forward in the business in Nick Riewoldt and watch the way he goes about it. Sure Watts has poise and skill, that has never been in question, but is he going to be the big key position forward we need or merely a classy flanker? At the moment it looks like the later.

As for his spot in the team I would be disappointed if he were to get the nod ahead of Miller this week. Sure Watts is the future but we need to set the example that if you aren't willing to have a go you don't play for the demons. Also we need to reward strong performances at Casey to ensure the hunger remains in those blokes floundering away in the reserves.

 

[Crimson Azure]

Lol. Just like all you plebs that bagged Frawley at the end of his second season.

Can't wait to see this thread bumped in 2012, where I am proved right again

And Bartram, Rivers, Scully (Poor kicking), garland after he didn't dominate in his first game back after a year + off & Green even copped it early on. I guess every player on the list would have got a bagging at some point.

Half the posters on this forum are only here to pick the faults out of players.

I think he will come good, but I'm not going to can him week in & out until he comes good then jump on his bandwagon 7 start singing his praises.

 

[Crusty Demon]

And Bartram, Rivers, Scully (Poor kicking), garland after he didn't dominate in his first game back after a year + off & Green even copped it early on. I guess every player on the list would have got a bagging at some point.

Half the posters on this forum are only here to pick the faults out of players.

I think he will come good, but I'm not going to can him week in & out until he comes good then jump on his bandwagon 7 start singing his praises.

You can't expect supporters to be happy with every player every week! And there is a difference between 'bagging' a player, and having constructive criticism. Most people including myself think that Jack Watts will be a very good player.

Being a #1 draft pick unfortunately comes with the close scrutiny from supporters and footy fans alike, and it's going to follow him all his career. I really enjoy watching Jack with the ball in his hands. I just want to see him WIN the ball more and put his body on the line and head over the ball and show us that he does have that couragous part to his game. He's an easy target, and we as supporters are frustrated in continually defending him, but he has to start giving us something more than just good skills. As a big man and future CHF, he needs to work really hard on winning the contested ball, because he's still a long way off.

 

[Ando727]

As a big man and future CHF, he needs to work really hard on winning the contested ball, because he's still a long way off.

I don't think anyone is disputing this, but we forum members can be put in one of 3 categories:

1) those who have written him off already
2) those who demand that he become a contest winner this week
3) those who think he needs time