Jack Watts

[Geddy Lee 582]

On what basis can you say that? What's your reasoning?

There is overwhelming evidence to suggest there are some things about Watts' game that won't change and will always prevent him from being a good, consistent footballer. I'm intrigued as to what Roos could get out of him but you're making it sound like it's a given he'll be transformed.

Hope over reason. Will have a TJ-esque career. We will crap on in ten years about what could have been and how great his skills were. This is professional sport fellas, we have plenty of better backs AND forwards than JW, trade him for a mid.

[Fitz Fitzpatrick 886]

My thoughts exactly Geddy

[Sir Why You Little 37,416]

On what basis can you say that? What's your reasoning?

There is overwhelming evidence to suggest there are some things about Watts' game that won't change and will always prevent him from being a good, consistent footballer. I'm intrigued as to what Roos could get out of him but you're making it sound like it's a given he'll be transformed.

Having 2 cheap rookie coaches has ripped the guts out of this club.

Are you insinuating that Jack is the only player on our list to reach not even half their potential??

Jack can play. He lacks confidence in himself at the top level right now.

The Bloods Culture is full of blue collar hard workers who have become Premiership/Top 4 players repeatedly.

With any other coach i would agree to trade him. But with Roos, the Bloods work ethic is EXACTLY what JW needs and i think is looking for.

[rjay 25,413]

On what basis can you say that? What's your reasoning?

There is overwhelming evidence to suggest there are some things about Watts' game that won't change and will always prevent him from being a good, consistent footballer. I'm intrigued as to what Roos could get out of him but you're making it sound like it's a given he'll be transformed.

Agree 'P_Man', Roos will keep him if he thinks he can work with him or trade him if the offer is good. To date he has shown nothing to indicate he will fit the game style and player type that Roos has gone for at Sydney. Not to say he can't but the evidence to date says no, he really needs to lift his work rate.

Anyway I'm interested to sit this out and see which way it goes.

[CBDees 3,167]

Hope over reason. Will have a TJ-esque career. We will crap on in ten years about what could have been and how great his skills were. This is professional sport fellas, we have plenty of better backs AND forwards than JW, trade him for a mid.

He is a wingman in Roos hypothetical starting 22 [capable of playing forward or back]. In ohter words, Roos rates him as an integral part of his optimum midfield strategy.

[Jack Jack Tappy 112]

On what basis can you say that? What's your reasoning?

There is overwhelming evidence to suggest there are some things about Watts' game that won't change and will always prevent him from being a good, consistent footballer. I'm intrigued as to what Roos could get out of him but you're making it sound like it's a given he'll be transformed.

If you read the Roos article on MFC again he says " make no mistake, Melbourne need to keep hold of Watts because he is incredibly talented and could still be a star". Roos wants Jack to stay, no doubt in my mind.

[DeeSpencer 26,659]

Everyone talks about Roos' game plan with the in close tackling and pressure but he also has always favoured having speed and skill on the outside. I remember in the West Coast games it was guys like Kirk and Bolton on the outside but then he'd always have Fosdike and McVeigh on a wing and Malceski from half back.

But the problem with that so far is that we haven't seen Watts show consistent hard running to get the handball receives and open marks no matter where he's been played.

Either way with Watts if he's to be a true tall forward he has to get more physical in the air or if he's to be an outside flanker at either end or winger then his work rate has to go up by heaps. I'm not sure either of those are easy to achieve, but I do see why Roos would want to try. At least Watts has a fitness base and a few preseasons under his belt, it's probably much easier to [censored] him into hard football than to start all over again with a second round pick who you have to build up.

[Ted Lasso 19,586]

I think Roos is smart enough to know he will need a new game plan that suits our list, Watts is clearly part of that based on his best 22 article

[Tatu 416]

On what basis can you say that? What's your reasoning?

There is overwhelming evidence to suggest there are some things about Watts' game that won't change and will always prevent him from being a good, consistent footballer. I'm intrigued as to what Roos could get out of him but you're making it sound like it's a given he'll be transformed.

how many goals and how many possessions would it take to change your mind about Jack?

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

What a ridiculous statement. He is EXACTLY the player we need to trade, right now while he has value, for a player that produces every week.

and he is a surplus asset who can get some badly needed midfield quality in exchange

[DeeSpencer 26,659]

I think Roos is smart enough to know he will need a new game plan that suits our list, Watts is clearly part of that based on his best 22 article

I'm not sure. I don't think Roos is overly keen on special games plans he just more has a style of footy he will want to be implemented. That will start from hard running midfielders who are super strong around the stoppages. I significantly doubt he would move away from that ideal. And then again for his backline he will want dour defenders on the full back line who are very disciplined and then half backs who can use the ball similar to the way he played. And for forwards he will want guys who can run all day in both directions presenting and chasing.

He would want Watts because he's at that ready made age when he's right to step it up and he has speed and skills. But how he plans to use Watts (and Howe for that matter) will be interesting. Watts hit the score board today playing at full forward with sharp goal kicking and some good fast leading, but besides that barley touched the ball. I'm thinking we could get just as much success in that role with Fitzpatrick (who also rucks), Clark or Hogan.

I'm hoping Roos doesn't overrate his ability to coach and fix Watts' problems when a great trade is staring us in the face. But if we don't get that great trade then I doubt a guy like Roos would be disappointed that he still has Watts and has a versatile skilled player to develop.

[Return to Glory 8,518]

Everyone talks about Roos' game plan with the in close tackling and pressure but he also has always favoured having speed and skill on the outside. I remember in the West Coast games it was guys like Kirk and Bolton on the outside but then he'd always have Fosdike and McVeigh on a wing and Malceski from half back.

But the problem with that so far is that we haven't seen Watts show consistent hard running to get the handball receives and open marks no matter where he's been played.

Either way with Watts if he's to be a true tall forward he has to get more physical in the air or if he's to be an outside flanker at either end or winger then his work rate has to go up by heaps. I'm not sure either of those are easy to achieve, but I do see why Roos would want to try. At least Watts has a fitness base and a few preseasons under his belt, it's probably much easier to [censored] him into hard football than to start all over again with a second round pick who you have to build up.

We must have been watching different games. Kirk was not an outside mid.

[whatwhat say what 23,779]

i presume he means 'on the inside', with fosdike, mcveigh, kennelly etc providing the run.

i don't care what anyone says, sydney were thrilling to watch in the mid-00s. i used to go see them at the scg all the time and they were exciting to watch, as well as being tough as.

[DeeSpencer 26,659]

We must have been watching different games. Kirk was not an outside mid.

Sorry meant on the inside. The inside midfield was what Sydney were defined for. And they used guys like Kirk and Bolton and Benny Mathews to slow the role of every other AFL team and shut down the efficiency of Judd, Cousins, Kerr and co in particular. My point was at the same time after bottling up the opposition they then got it outside to some very good half backs and wingers.

They also had a big, fast and skillful guy who played all over the park who went ok. It's a pipe dream to think Watts is every one tenth as good as Goodes but I don't think Roos will see height as a reason Jack can't play up the ground if he has the desire.

[CBDees 3,167]

Well with Dawes a late withdrawal yesteday, thank God for Watts being there and not having to rely on Sellars. Watts tally of four goals from five kicks demonstrated his importance to our team [and the fallacy that we have an over-abundance of elite forwards and backmen].

[Grimseyisgod 378]

any of you going to complain about the 4 goals Watts kicked yesterday?

[CBDees 3,167]

any of you going to complain about the 4 goals Watts kicked yesterday?

from 5 kicks!!!!!!!

[71 Molloy 266]

from 5 kicks!!!!!!!

Good forwards game! Better than 15 cheapies across half back.

[demon-4-life 467]

If Watts kicks 4 goals every game for the rest of his career, he'll be one of the all time greats.

Just shows he's efficient

Edited September 1, 2013 by demon-4-life

[DeeZee 7,495]

Roos rates him, thats enough for me, and im sure that irks some on here.

If anyone else kick 4 goals you would all be saying what a great game he had , instead of searching for faults as you do with Watts.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Have read this twice....?

If Roos wants him and he wants to stay, I would offer a year, that is plenty of time to see if he has the snickers. But the way contracts work they will probably have to agree on 2.

Isn't it easier to trade a player in contract, otherwise they can walk?

2 years, & we can both decide how things look after 12 - 15 months...

If he's still lost out there, we can look for a suitable option for him & us.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Having 2 cheap rookie coaches has ripped the guts out of this club.

Are you insinuating that Jack is the only player on our list to reach not even half their potential??

Jack can play. He lacks confidence in himself at the top level right now.

The Bloods Culture is full of blue collar hard workers who have become Premiership/Top 4 players repeatedly.

With any other coach i would agree to trade him. But with Roos, the Bloods work ethic is EXACTLY what JW needs and i think is looking for.

You can see it WYL, you do understand.

... so why can't you understand the negative influences of not having a home base outside the 'G'...

a grounding place.

I think you have to go O/S every year looking for yours?

[dee-luded 2,959]

Everyone talks about Roos' game plan with the in close tackling and pressure but he also has always favoured having speed and skill on the outside. I remember in the West Coast games it was guys like Kirk and Bolton on the outside but then he'd always have Fosdike and McVeigh on a wing and Malceski from half back.

But the problem with that so far is that we haven't seen Watts show consistent hard running to get the handball receives and open marks no matter where he's been played.

Either way with Watts if he's to be a true tall forward he has to get more physical in the air or if he's to be an outside flanker at either end or winger then his work rate has to go up by heaps. I'm not sure either of those are easy to achieve, but I do see why Roos would want to try. At least Watts has a fitness base and a few preseasons under his belt, it's probably much easier to [censored] him into hard football than to start all over again with a second round pick who you have to build up.

responsible play with a lot of pressure on the Opp' first, then offensive weapons to rebound with as the icing.

we've had a tradition of just wanting the icing & cream....

Roos, depth is the key he thinks,,, 17th - 22nd players are the advantage after the guns cancel one another out. so great decision making & disposal are keys to not letting the team down.

I think Jeremy Howe will benefit enormously from Roos.

[CBDees 3,167]

Apart from his four goals from five kicks yesterday, Jack also laid some good tackles and second efforts. I hope that his first year under Roos has everybody who wanted to trade him eating humble pie!

[dee-luded 2,959]

If Watts kicks 4 goals every game for the rest of his career, he'll be one of the all time greats.

Just shows he's efficient

one of the problems is he's too economical.