I've heard some great things about Watts, but im really not sure why they are being so cautious with him. I realise we're still in development stage, and we just have to be patient (no matter how hard it is to watch our team ridiculed and looked down on by other teams, supporters, journo's) but I really don't understand their need to slow him down. I can't remember the last time a number 1 draft pick was kept back like this...

I've heard some great things about Watts, but im really not sure why they are being so cautious with him. I realise we're still in development stage, and we just have to be patient (no matter how hard it is to watch our team ridiculed and looked down on by other teams, supporters, journo's) but I really don't understand their need to slow him down. I can't remember the last time a number 1 draft pick was kept back like this...

Your answer is within your question RP

add to this the prioity of his education and you have the reasoning as to why he isnt on the paddock just yet.

we..and HE is here for the long term not a quick flash in the pan.

hes to skinny riiicky, he needs more time, send him out now and he would just get smashed, hes our golden boy we cant do that to him.

The question you need to ask yourself is "Do we want another Ox?"

I mean no disrespect to David Schwartz, who was a brilliant footballer, but had he not suffered those knee injuries he would have been a superstar. Watts is still only 17 years old and unable to take part in full training due to his studies. He may be an amazing football talent, but that will do him little good if his body is not able to keep pace and his career is destroyed by injuries.

Personally, I am thankful that the coaching staff have decided that there is no rush to play him. At this stage he would make little difference to our results, so the gain would be minimal, and the potential loss is catastrophic.

Should already be in the team, without doubt.

Stick him in a FP with Miller at FF to give him some protection.

I dont buy this crap about him not being ready and school footy and blah blah blah.

He was number 1 pick, he is he best teenager in the country, he should be playing AFL.

Hope he plays vs Port.

Its not about school footy..its about school !! The deal was if we took him he would be free to fiinsh his studies properly.

What does anyone seriously expect to achive by sending him in underdone

Should already be in the team, without doubt.

Stick him in a FP with Miller at FF to give him some protection.

I dont buy this crap about him not being ready and school footy and blah blah blah.

He was number 1 pick, he is he best teenager in the country, he should be playing AFL.

Hope he plays vs Port.

You never fail to bring a smile to my face YM.

Check out this article on the Melbourne website:

Casey Countdown

Mentions that, if he keeps training like he is at the moment, that Watts could well be playing for Casey in the next fortnight which is exciting to say the least. As for playing now, whats the point? Let him take his time so when we are pushing up the ladder he is fit and firing.

Should already be in the team, without doubt.

Stick him in a FP with Miller at FF to give him some protection.

I dont buy this crap about him not being ready and school footy and blah blah blah.

He was number 1 pick, he is he best teenager in the country, he should be playing AFL.

Hope he plays vs Port.

Ricky and Yze Magic - I have to disagree and believe that he shouldn't be playing.

The reason Jack hasn't been picked is due to his development. Whilst he might be the no 1 pick and best teenager in the country, he still is only 17 and in school. The difference with other No 1's is that very few of the past top 5 players over the past few drafts have been in yr 11 when drafted, and yr 12 during their 1st year at an AFL club. From memory Luke Ball was in almost the same scenario (except being a no 2 pick and not a KPP). Others in the same boat are Sam Blease, Hannebery at the Swans. By playing them too early when they're bodies aren't ready for it is a diservice to their development.

What are they going to achieve by playing them too early? Satisfy a few supporters like yourselves for a very short time, before they suffer a long term injury ala Schwarz due to being rushed.

i don't think it's about him getting smashed at the AFL level... many said that about Cale Morton last year, but how many games did he play? to me it's more about having the fitness to run out a game at AFL level... yes you don't have to run much if you're in the forward line, but it's not like the old days... you've still got to run back and fill the holes when required, and you need to keep your workrate up in the forward line...

the fact that he hasn't been able to train full time because of school means his fitness base isn't going to be anywhere it needs to be for AFL footy... give him a run at Casey, let him get some match practice under his belt, and go from there...

think i might have to make the trip down to cranbourne when Jack starts playing down there, will be great to see him in action...

Should already be in the team, without doubt.

Stick him in a FP with Miller at FF to give him some protection.

I dont buy this crap about him not being ready and school footy and blah blah blah.

He was number 1 pick, he is he best teenager in the country, he should be playing AFL.

Hope he plays vs Port.

he is NOT the best teenager in the country. Just because you are the number 1 pick doesn't mean you are the best in the country. it solely means that you are deemed more likely of being the best in about 5 or 6 years.

The question you need to ask yourself is "Do we want another Ox?"

I mean no disrespect to David Schwartz, who was a brilliant footballer, but had he not suffered those knee injuries he would have been a superstar.

I dont see the correlation with the Ox.

Ox suffered those knee injuries through unfortunate incidents on the field that had little to do with him playing too early.

I understand you dont want Watts battered arounnd too young but that was not the cause of Schwartz's injuries.

I agree with you about the development process in place for Watts.

Harry Coventry (standing,6th from left) debuted with La Trobe (Tas) aged 13 and a half in 1897 and successfully combined his studies

for the Merit Certificate with footy training on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Travel to and from matches too consumed

a good deal of his study time.

Should already be in the team, without doubt.

Stick him in a FP with Miller at FF to give him some protection.

I dont buy this crap about him not being ready and school footy and blah blah blah.

He was number 1 pick, he is he best teenager in the country, he should be playing AFL.

Hope he plays vs Port.

I have heard through a neighbour who lunched with Brad Miller last week, there is a strong chance Mr Watts will play for the senior side within 4-6 weeks. He is doing weight training in the morning before school to Harden up. If i hear anymore i shall pass it on.

Harry Coventry (standing,6th from left) debuted with La Trobe (Tas) aged 13 and a half in 1897 and successfully combined his studies

for the Merit Certificate with footy training on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Travel to and from matches too consumed

a good deal of his study time.

Times have changed over the last 110 years.

He is doing weight training in the morning before school to harden up.

Sheesh. Sounds like Brighton Grammar is tougher than we'd thought.

Its not about school footy..its about school !! The deal was if we took him he would be free to fiinsh his studies properly.

What does anyone seriously expect to achive by sending him in underdone

the deal was he didnt want to go western aust, if we picked the fijian kid hed be studying in perth rite now, the kids not ready yet, why play him, and as for miller protecting YM, he needs concentrate on his own performances at the moment.

The question you need to ask yourself is "Do we want another Ox?"

Using Ox as an example, is irrelevant.

Should already be in the team, without doubt.

Stick him in a FP with Miller at FF to give him some protection.

He'd get as much protection from Miller during a game, than Sunblock 8 provides on a 40 C day; UV rating 10.

I don't like the cotton wool approach, but I'm happy with how they're managing Watts.

That said, when he's ready play him.

I don't like the cotton wool approach, but I'm happy with how they're managing Watts.

That said, when he's ready play him.

This is a real balancing act, you don't want him playing too much football, then again you don't want him missing too much either. Surely he is mature enough to play a fair chunk of games in the lower level at Casey

Watts not ready for call up

Watts was just on Channel 10 news.

Trained with the team for the furst time, still not expected to play seniors til the second half of the season.

I guess thats only 10 weeks away, cant wait.

Obviously I don't when he'll debut, but I want him playing against the Filth on Queen's Birthday.

Watts was just on Channel 10 news.

Trained with the team for the furst time,

?

I've been down to Casey and seen him training with the seniors, it was at the first training session this year. Very confident sort of dude it appears.

hes to skinny riiicky, he needs more time, send him out now and he would just get smashed, hes our golden boy we cant do that to him.

Sure he hasn't got the bulk required to play yet, but look at Buddy Franklin. The #1 KPF at the moment, and he isn't the biggest fella out there in terms of muscle. He definitely ain't no Fevola, Hall, Pavlich or Brown.

he is NOT the best teenager in the country. Just because you are the number 1 pick doesn't mean you are the best in the country. it solely means that you are deemed more likely of being the best in about 5 or 6 years.

Who cares?

All I care about is that we have him and the other clubs don't. That's all that matters!