By know means is this a negative thread but more one to actually have a good think about. Jacks watts is 17. I Believe in his first year it is nearly going to be impossbile to live up to the expectations put on him. Put youself in his shoes and think when you were 17? I myself am 19 and im sure he is a much more mature kid for his age but still i think the pressure is going to mount. any thoughts?

I am from the same town as colin sylvia and have known him for a while as my brother is friends with him. I know the pressure colin has been put under and i know for a fact that he absolutly hates it. Im sure it would have affected his football along the line. So is it better and more beneficial to not be picked in top 3 picks?

Pressure is perceived pressure, Jack Watts is going to be doing something he loves and getting well paid for it, he would probably do it for free.

I had a great chat to him at the after match function Richmond game.....he is a great guy....he is busting to play and we both had a good laugh when I asked him if he was playing next week coz it is not his decision...he said he hopes so and he can't wait to make his senior debut........we also spoke about watcfhing him play in 10 years time and he is totally in agreement he will do whatever it takes.....and the best he can.

I spoke to a couple of players, Jack, James Strauss and Rhys Healey, they are all young and loving every minute of it, not everybody gets the chance....and you grab it when you can and run with it.

As for Col Sylvia, he needs to realise the above, he is a talented player, the pressure on him is because he seems to be intent on wasting the opportunity.....if he doesn't like it he can always retire this week..and give somebody like Shane Valenti a chance to be elevated...I reckon Shane would crawl every inch from Casey to MCG if he thought that would give him a shot in the first team

Pressure is perceived pressure, Jack Watts is going to be doing something he loves and getting well paid for it, he would probably do it for free.

I had a great chat to him at the after match function Richmond game.....he is a great guy....he is busting to play and we both had a good laugh when I asked him if he was playing next week coz it is not his decision...he said he hopes so and he can't wait to make his senior debut........we also spoke about watcfhing him play in 10 years time and he is totally in agreement he will do whatever it takes.....and the best he can.

I spoke to a couple of players, Jack, James Strauss and Rhys Healey, they are all young and loving every minute of it, not everybody gets the chance....and you grab it when you can and run with it.

As for Col Sylvia, he needs to realise the above, he is a talented player, the pressure on him is because he seems to be intent on wasting the opportunity.....if he doesn't like it he can always retire this week..and give somebody like Shane Valenti a chance to be elevated...I reckon Shane would crawl every inch from Casey to MCG if he thought that would give him a shot in the first team

Hear Hear, without sounding like a sermon, most kids would give their left one to play AFL footy, I know I have been in junior footy for some +30years. AFL players today have the ability to use psychologists, fitness coaches, councilors, and so on. This is an opportunity of a life time to be paid well, admired (as well as critisied) for a talent the many others wish they had. I only wished I had 1/2 the talent an play on the MCG. So take the opportunity and make it yours. Give 100% all the time and the critics will disappear. Just remember your chance at this level and being paid well doesn’t last long so give all NOW

Jack seems the type of kid who thrives under the pressure. He doesnt seem phased by the expectations of fans at all.

I have every confidence he will become all that we hope he will.

Watts eats pressure for breakfast.

i think dean bailey is good with the younger guys and is doing all in his power to relieve the pressure from jack, and i for one applaud him. jack will probably play 6 matches this year and if possible less than 60 percent in his first 2 (hopefully kick a couple, get the media excited, then do the same the week after to shut them up) and its very important that melbourne wins one of his early games without the game riding on his shoulders so he can keep enjoying footy.

crap if they cant handle the pressure now, what happens if we make a grand final.

Many Young Players have played on Anzac Day or Late September Finals on the MCG. I have faith that Jack Watts will do the same. The club & players around him are sure to help him closely. He will make it i believe. No hurry in playing him early. Make him hungry for a game & he will eat the pressure. Jack "Charlie" Watts will be a great Melbourne player.