I remember what a nasty sniping thug he was so I guess I am coming off a lower base. Fine footballer when he went for the ball - an animal at other times - very good coach, but respect as a bloke? Naah.

Exactly right pitmaster. Matthews was nothing more than a dirty little gutless thug. I was abt 10 years old standing 15 metres away from him when he committed his thug criminal act on Steve Smith at Optarse oval in about 1984. The ball was about 150 metres away.

Take a deep breath people. Jack is only just 18, completing yr 12 and was playing schoolboy footy a month ago.

Exactly right pitmaster. Matthews was nothing more than a dirty little gutless thug. I was abt 10 years old standing 15 metres away from him when he committed his thug criminal act on Steve Smith at Optarse oval in about 1984. The ball was about 150 metres away.

Take a deep breath people. Jack is only just 18, completing yr 12 and was playing schoolboy footy a month ago.

My earliest footballing memory is being at a game and watching him king hit Peter Giles behind the play, this seems to be a common theme.

My earliest footballing memory is being at a game and watching him king hit Peter Giles behind the play, this seems to be a common theme.

Why don't you answer Tim's questions ?

You can do it.

Why don't you answer Tim's questions ?

You can do it.

What question was that? I asked for clarification but I'm still waiting....

I'm also still waiting for your answer.

What question was that? I asked for clarification but I'm still waiting....

There's nothing to clarify. It's not hard to comprehend what he's asking.

There's nothing to clarify. It's not hard to comprehend what he's asking.

And Jarka, this had better be very good. No-one would want to see that you're using gross generalisations that you cannot substantiate.

Oh yeah, feel free to comprehend away.

Oh yeah, feel free to comprehend away.

"One poster at towards the start of this thread mentioned JBrown and his efforts. Watts is far behind - in what respect? Physical development? Reading of the game? Ability to play in the team? Ability to play his position? Ability to make decisions on field? Total developement relative to potential? Behind relative to midfielders or KPP draftees?"

This is his question to you.

Surely you don't need spoon feeding.

"One poster at towards the start of this thread mentioned JBrown and his efforts. Watts is far behind - in what respect? Physical development? Reading of the game? Ability to play in the team? Ability to play his position? Ability to make decisions on field? Total developement relative to potential? Behind relative to midfielders or KPP draftees?"

This is his question to you.

Surely you don't need spoon feeding.

How the [censored] would I know? I didn't make any comparisons between Jon Brown and Watts, that was someone else.

I suggest you read the whole thread before making a fool of yourself.

How the [censored] would I know? I didn't make any comparisons between Jon Brown and Watts, that was someone else.

I suggest you read the whole thread before making a fool of yourself.

Because you compared him to other "1st picks". You said "Watts was far behind those other 1st picks". Timmy wasn't inferring that you used the Brown comparison. In fact he said "at the start of the thread" someone used Brown as a comparison. He then asked you a series of questions starting with "Watts is far behind - in what respect?", ......, .......,

Maybe I should go a little easier on you. You're clearly out of your depth if you can't comprehend Tim's question to you and why he asked it.

Because you compared him to other "1st picks". You said "Watts was far behind those other 1st picks". Timmy wasn't inferring that you used the Brown comparison. In fact he said "at the start of the thread" someone used Brown as a comparison. He then asked you a series of questions starting with "Watts is far behind - in what respect?", ......, .......,

Maybe I should go a little easier on you. You're clearly out of your depth if you can't comprehend Tim's question to you and why he asked it.

You're joking right? Are you really this slow?

Let's use Kruezer as an example, the most recent number 1 pick, also can play as a kp. Now compare when they both started their respective pre seasons. By the time round 1 came for Kruezer he pretty much had a full pre season under his belt and by this stage he had played every game. I won't even bother making the comparisons like Gibbs and Cooney, they're so obvious I can't believe that anyone is seeking an explanation.

A decision was made between the club, Jack's parents and his school to delay his pre season by about 6 months so yes, of course he's behind other recent number 1 picks and I believe that the right decision was made. I'm also amazed that you disagree with this, the kid is still at school and I'm bewildered that cretins expect him to already be at his best. Give him a chance to get a couple of pre seasons under his belt before execting the world of him

You're joking right? Are you really this slow?

Let's use Kruezer as an example, the most recent number 1 pick, also can play as a kp. Now compare when they both started their respective pre seasons. By the time round 1 came for Kruezer he pretty much had a full pre season under his belt and by this stage he had played every game. I won't even bother making the comparisons like Gibbs and Cooney, they're so obvious I can't believe that anyone is seeking an explanation.

A decision was made between the club, Jack's parents and his school to delay his pre season by about 6 months so yes, of course he's behind other recent number 1 picks and I believe that the right decision was made. I'm also amazed that you disagree with this, the kid is still at school and I'm bewildered that cretins expect him to already be at his best. Give him a chance to get a couple of pre seasons under his belt before execting the world of him

Oh God. I didn't realise you were this thick.

I simply asked you to answer Timmy's question - you know, the one you couldn't comprehend. I was trying to pry some in depth analysis out of you. Perhaps you could have provided some good stuff. Nothing more, nothing less.

Fwiw, I wasn't sure if Watts would play a game this year. In fact, I was under the assumption he'd play more for Brighton Grammar than the Scorpions. I'm quite content with his progress.

At least you finally understand the question Timmy was asking. Talk about slooow.

Jack Watts will deliver in spades. Patience please.

Boring.

I thought I saw a few signs last night that Watts is beginning to feel more at ease in the game. Not all were "positive" in terms of direct action, but signified Watts getting involved in the game for longer.

His frees against Monfries and Fletcher I thought were a little crude, but at least showed he was willing to start finding his way into the contest.

The holding the ball in the (2nd?) quarter showed how he is still adjusting to the game of AFL footy, it seemed as though he was playing the way he always has as you can probably get away with that in junior/VFL footy. It's for this reason I think he needs to play a few more games this season at least. He shouldn't be dropped if he looks like he "hasn't found his place," he should be exposed as much as possible.

The two goals he kicked were very good kicks.

He's 18 and in year 12 people.

I wonder if Watts will be rested for the trip to Brisbane next week? I'd prefer him to play as many games as possible, but with school and everything it might be easier on him to play him in Melbourne only.

I think Watts has a great football brain. You can tell by looking at him. His positioning is normally pretty good. However, you can tell he is still adapting to playing against the big boys and is still learning what his body can handle.

Exactly, and we need to keep this in mind for the nexy year or so.

I also believe that Matthews said he was a key position player, and he's obviously going to take time...

Oh God. I didn't realise you were this thick.

I simply asked you to answer Timmy's question - you know, the one you couldn't comprehend. I was trying to pry some in depth analysis out of you. Perhaps you could have provided some good stuff. Nothing more, nothing less.

Fwiw, I wasn't sure if Watts would play a game this year. In fact, I was under the assumption he'd play more for Brighton Grammar than the Scorpions. I'm quite content with his progress.

At least you finally understand the question Timmy was asking. Talk about slooow.

Don't be so melodramatic, this has already been discussed ad nauseam, it's not like we're breaking new ground on anything.

Heard Bailey on SEN this morning talk about Watts.

He mentioned the tackle by Davey on him, and said that Watts is the sort of player who will learn quickly and not make that mistake again. Said that the experience is so invaluable that after that one small bit of play, he now understands that he has to always look at going full speed (which he has in spades), and always look to evade the player instead of thinking he can beat them at half pace.

The boy will be a phenomenal talent, of that I'm fairly sure.

But as Bailey said, draftees need two full pre-seasons under their belt before they can start to seriously compete. For Watts, a KPP, that might take 3-4 years.

Bailey also mentioned Frawley, and how he has come on so well this year, after putting that finals 3-4 kgs onto his frame. It took Frawley, who isn't as big as Watts, 3 years to really adapt. He looked hopeless at the start of his career.

I was impressed with Watts last night, he showed confidence that we didn't see in his debut. For people to be judging him in his 2nd game, it's ridiculous. I have no doubt he'll be a great player for Melbourne, but it will take time. I'd also give him a rest against Brisbane, then bring him back against the Eagles. The kid should be happy with his performance last night, I know I am.

Have people seen the replay of Watts taking his eyes off the ball when he marked and kicked his first goal ?

I wanted some other opinions, at first i thought he did it as he was expecting to get hit from behind but after watching it a couple of times he looked very casual and relaxed. Not really bracing himself for a hit.

Does anyone else think he just took the mark quite casually or am i way off and he was expecting to cop a whack?

He mentioned the tackle by Davey on him, and said that Watts is the sort of player who will learn quickly and not make that mistake again. Said that the experience is so invaluable that after that one small bit of play, he now understands that he has to always look at going full speed (which he has in spades), and always look to evade the player instead of thinking he can beat them at half pace.

I noted this event as a significant moment in his cognitive development (sorry, too much Primary school exam study!)

What I liked is that later in the quarter he had the ball at Centre Half Forward in a pack. But rather than learn from his mistake by bombing the ball thoughtlessly into the forwardline, he steadily ran at a diagonal angle away from the contest, finding space and hitting Green on the chest.

Breaking tackles isn't always about force, it's about angles and thinking one's way through a problem - this was reiterated when Green was on the wing and had Davey hot on his heel. Rather than attempting to wait for the tackle and break it, or get rid of the ball before being tackled, Green took possession of the ball and ran at an angle so that when Davey did reach him, he was too off balance to affect a tackle.

Positive stuff from the young man, give him a few more weeks and I think he'll learn a whole lot more.

Really good marking players can feel so assured of what they are about, that that they instinctively see what is coming next.

This is not 'spending it before you have it"BTW.

If you look at any picture of Gary Ablett senior taking a mark you will see he is not looking at the ball as he takes the grab, he is looking at where he will land/what to do next. I am making no comparison with Gary, Im merely pointing it out...

Seeing this in JW made my heart leap.

Also when he kicks a goal, it does not faze him one iota. This is a good indicator.

As opposed to Brad Miller who when he kicks a goal is reminiscent of Michael Palin's stuttering character in a Fish called Wanda. When he drives a steam roller over Kevin Kline who is stuck in concrete at one km/per/hr he says"Got Him!". Poor old Brad is relieved to hit the side of a barn.

You respected Leigh Matthews?

I remember what a nasty sniping thug he was so I guess I am coming off a lower base. Fine footballer when he went for the ball - an animal at other times - very good coach, but respect as a bloke? Naah.

As for what he said about Watts, we're over reacting aren't we?

He said he had not seen last night why the kid went No 1. So? Has anyone else seen it at AFL level. I don't think so. He showed some promise last night. Compare Watts' laser straight kicks at goal to that wobbly one from Miller. Took a nice mark, but Matthews was saying he was not having the impact of Rich, which is right.

But Matthews did not say Watts should not have been No 1 - just that he isn't showing it yet.

Anyways, next week he will be back at Casey. He's had a taste of the pace and the pressure and now he gets it eased back some to refine his game.

Yes spot on re Matthews. I will never forget the day i stood mortified as he smashed Steven Smith`s nose across his face well behind play at Princess Park. Similar to his whack on N.Bruns that had him charged.

It just so happened that i knew his young daughter at the time and that night, as my parents were away, i had a party (as you do). Later on she said her goodbyes as her dad was here to pick her up. Here`s

my chance, i thought. I went out to the veranda and from a distance of about forty metres, in my high pitched, quivering voice, i gave him a serve any Melbourne supporter would be proud of. Obviously

i`m still alive today - i made sure his window was up !

im sorry but all good markers of the footy look at the ball when marking it

im sorry but all good markers of the footy look at the ball when marking it

hmmm your profile pic