Perspective on Watts' debut

[LeBron James 41]

Nick Riewoldt on debut: 3 posessions, 1 behind

Lance Franklin on debut: 6 posessions, no score

Jack Watts on debut: 8 posessions, 1 behind

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,078]

Nick Riewoldt on debut: 3 posessions, 1 behind

Lance Franklin on debut: 6 posessions, no score

Jack Watts on debut: 8 posessions, 1 behind

Good work M2W. Lovin' the avatar

[wattsup 470]

well bailey has already said he wont be dropped in his press conference

[praha 11,226]

I think we can all agree Watts is better than all of those players and anything less than 12 goals today would have been a massive under achievement. I call bust.

[Hannabal 4]

Good work M2W. Lovin' the avatar

You've got to read more. I posted this in another thread:

Let's look at the debuts of all no. 1's since 2000:

2000 Nick Riewoldt - rnd 15 3 disposals no goals

2001 Luke Hodge - rnd 5 13 disposals no goals

2002 Brendan Goddard rnd 4 11 disposals 1 goal

2003 Adam Cooney rnd 1 8 disposals 1 goal

2004 Brett Deledio rnd 1 9 disposals no goals

2005 Marc Murphy rnd 1 17 disposals 1 goal

2006 Bryce Gibbs rnd 1 11 disposals 1 goal

2007 Matthew Kreuzer rnd 3 16 disposals 2 goals

I'll throw in Justin Koschitzki (pick 2) rnd 3 5 disposals no goals

[Carn dees 108]

encouraging post.

Not that i had any doubts in Jack

[waynewussell 5,147]

Jack has to go harder than that. I didn't expect more than 10 disposals, but he was overly concerned about the physical attention, which didn't eventuate. I know he will develop, but I wanted to see a little bit more desperation. If he gets a name for being soft it will haunt him for the rest of his career. Morton was criticised for putting in a few short ones in game 1, but his ability to handle the traffic soon became evident. I'll go on record now... all the junior accolades that Jack has amassed will = Jack sh*te if he isn't prepared to put his frame to the test within 2 more games.

[rodent killer 0]

Nick Riewoldt on debut: 3 posessions, 1 behind

Lance Franklin on debut: 6 posessions, no score

Jack Watts on debut: 8 posessions, 1 behind

he did alright and he WILL be a star in the future, give him 1-2

years

[Deano74 156]

I was disappointed with his game, Maybe i expected more.

Didnt have any impact, looked abit lost in traffic.

Im not worried however, will assess him more next year, after a big summer on the track and in the Gym.

The positives are that the hype is now over and he found out what AFL is all about.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Jack has to go harder than that. I didn't expect more than 10 disposals, but he was overly concerned about the physical attention, which didn't eventuate. I know he will develop, but I wanted to see a little bit more desperation. If he gets a name for being soft it will haunt him for the rest of his career. Morton was criticised for putting in a few short ones in game 1, but his ability to handle the traffic soon became evident. I'll go on record now... all the junior accolades that Jack has amassed will = Jack sh*te if he isn't prepared to put his frame to the test within 2 more games.

FFS, it was his first game in the big time where all his teammates bar Sylvia and Jamar shirked it today. He is 18, no pre season, 196cm and a light frame. He came onto the ground when we were already 4 goals down and had to contest against the tide of play.

And you worried about him being soft? Unbelievable.

[dazzledavey36 54,083]

gotta remember ladies he hardly ever did a pre season so in all he is facing up to his first afl pre season at the end of the year.

i wasn't expecting much at all from him today but atleast he has now got a taste of afl action and the speed of the game.

all the best in his exam tomorro aswell.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Ka chink Ka chink, $$$ Attendance: 61,287 $$$

Just a taste for a kid underdone.

Lets revisit this in 12 months time.

[Damo 3,320]

I thought Watts looked exhausted by Qtr time.

Pretty big build up would be the probable cause.

[Jarka 767]

I was one of the few who thought that Watts was perhaps played too early and it looks like I'm going to also be in the minority again because even though he clearly struggled with the pace of the game I was quite impressed with his endeavour. Never once did he completely pull out of a contest, in fact several times I was impressed that he did something knowing that he'd get crunched.

I'm glad he didn't dominate and kicked multiple goals, it's important that he realises how difficult this sport is.

[Ryan Dee 140]

I thought Watts looked exhausted by Qtr time.

Pretty big build up would be the probable cause.

Or maybe he just didnt have a good game.

I didnt expect him to.

[Jaded No More 68,835]

FFS, it was his first game in the big time where all his teammates bar Sylvia and Jamar shirked it today. He is 18, no pre season, 196cm and a light frame. He came onto the ground when we were already 4 goals down and had to contest against the tide of play.

And you worried about him being soft? Unbelievable.

Now now, we all knew this was coming. No need to get angry.

Anyone who needs to see the game stats of other first timers to prove to themselves that Watts' debut was perfectly acceptable, is hardly worth arguing with.

Today was about Watts getting a taste, and he sure got one.

Despite being under enormous pressure, his disposal and decision making was composed (a couple of very smart handballs), but spending large amounts of time in a dead forwardline obviously didn't help his stat count.

Also agreed that he was exhausted in the second half, and it's no wonder. No pre-season, heavy conditions and never having played at this level. To expect anything more than what we got today is unrealistic.

Would have been great if that ball bounced through for a goal instead of a point, but that's life.

It's not what you do in your first game that counts, it's what you can take from your last game that matters.

[Einstein 1]

I think Jack did about as much as anybody could have seriously expected him to today. I think he had a crack in a game where for most of the time we were seriously out-contested by the opposition.

And just like it has been pointed out, statistically he compared reasonably with other high draft pick debuts in recent times.

Sure, we would have loved him to have had more of an impact on the game. (I would have loved alot of things to be different about todays game.) But...........

He was the least of our concerns today.

Now the big debut is over with, he can go about developing his game in his own good time. The kid will be fine.

[Keepin up with the Joneses 48]

Nick Riewoldt on debut: 3 posessions, 1 behind

Lance Franklin on debut: 6 posessions, no score

Jack Watts on debut: 8 posessions, 1 behind

There were numerous times today that if our players had taken the first and best option, Jack would have had a bit more of it.

Instead, we hesitate, stop, dodge, bounce, hesitate again and then handball to someones feet

As someone else has already mentioned, the joint endeavour of all bar 2 or 3 players meant we were always going to get belted. Tough initiation, I can't wait til he puts on his other 10 KG of muscle so he can provide some of the leadership we craved today.

[TopCorner 103]

I just liked seeing the way he moves - seems to be able to lope across the ground with some speed. He put in a couple of chases on smaller faster players which didn't come off but you might not expect a 6' 4 bloke to even get near.

[Keepin up with the Joneses 48]

Nick Riewoldt on debut: 3 posessions, 1 behind

Lance Franklin on debut: 6 posessions, no score

Jack Watts on debut: 8 posessions, 1 behind

There were numerous times today that if our players had taken the first and best option, Jack would have had a bit more of it.

Instead, we hesitate, stop, dodge, bounce, hesitate again and then handball to someones feet

As someone else has already mentioned, the joint endeavour of all bar 2 or 3 players meant we were always going to get belted. Tough initiation, I can't wait til he puts on his other 10 KG of muscle so he can provide some of the leadership we craved today.

[grant 10]

I was pleased today to see that the kid had a naturally larger frame than I had expected and has the ability to grow nicely into an AFL body.

No beampole

[Dexter23 2]

Wont be judging Watts harshly untill his 100th game. He Looked "Unsure" today about when to commit to a contest. He looked to me like he was in this big maze. I Think he done well when he was contesting the footy. I would've liked more attack from him, though he was probably nervous. Any person would be nervous hearing your name being called out at qtr time while your running in to a huddle. I have liked what i seen from him. and Go DEES

[whitito 187]

Jack has to go harder than that. I didn't expect more than 10 disposals, but he was overly concerned about the physical attention, which didn't eventuate. I know he will develop, but I wanted to see a little bit more desperation. If he gets a name for being soft it will haunt him for the rest of his career. Morton was criticised for putting in a few short ones in game 1, but his ability to handle the traffic soon became evident. I'll go on record now... all the junior accolades that Jack has amassed will = Jack sh*te if he isn't prepared to put his frame to the test within 2 more games.

[censored]

[Toot182 7]

Ka chink Ka chink, $$$ Attendance: 61,287 $$$

Here's an interesting stat from after match function - via Jimmy Stynes.

For gate attendance's today: we earned as much for the game, as we will for the rest of the season from ALL our other home games at the MCG. The 1 home game at Carrara, nets us the same amount as today (I think it was about 350K? Can anyone confirm?) and the crowd at Carrara is about 20K.... crazy sh!t deal we got at the MCG.

As far as JW goes, I think he performed as I expected. Did some good things. To me, showed he has the hands/skills to play at this level. The fitness will come, and so will the body shape. I'm excited.

[mo64 5,843]

Watts was the least of our problems today.

If we continue moving the ball through ridiculous handballs to stationary targets, as a forward, Watts will be pulling out his ample blond hair.

And speaking of our young messiahs, why isn't Morton given a run in the middle?