Watts May Miss Season Opener

[Trisul 664]

Seriously, why are Melbourne supporters so hysterical when it comes to injuries?

JR injury tracker?

Neitz. Schwartz. Lyon. White.

Garland. Grimes.

Wona (Mr 3-4 weeks). Blease.

etc.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

JR injury tracker?

Neitz. Schwartz. Lyon. White.

Garland. Grimes.

Wona (Mr 3-4 weeks). Blease.

etc.

Sylvia, Moloney, McLean,

Edited February 17, 2010 by Curry & Beer

[Keyser Söze 0]

Great post, i feel the same way. I would have thought more ppl would feel the same yet everyone seems blaze about the injury situation. The club doesnt have a great track record and thats all there is to it.

While i know there is nothing we can do now that he is injured and we have to trust the clubs "Slowly slowly" stance on Watts' development, I dont recall this sort of restraint being required for the likes of Kruzer or franklin who were both quite skinny and also taller players.

I don't recall CC saying that Watts would be prevented from playing and wrapped in cotton wool; only that Watts will take 3 years to get to the position of being a premier player in the AFL.

There was no mention of restraint, only careful management.

Just like what happened with Franklin and Kreuzer and Riewoldt.

But, we only remember that they played and showed something. As Jack will.

Give it a rest.

[Keyser Söze 0]

Really Really hope he reaches his potential, its gonna be hard watching Nic Nat for the next few years until Jack developes and we get the best out of him (as per article). IMO if Nic Nat was from Victoria i think he would be wearing the RED and BLUE, and that comment has nothing too do with his NAB cup match, this kid would have went number 1 ahead of Matthew Kreuzer in 07 but was too young by a few days. some may not agree and are probably sick of hearing Nic Nat v Jack Watts but i have and alwyas will be a Nic Nat fan and just needed to vent.

Doesn't worry me.

I don't lie awake at night wondering how my life would be if i'd been born a girl.

Its done. All the best to Naitanui in his career.

[Axis of Bob 11,840]

I don't see what the major fuss is all about.

Naitanui is a year older and bench presses about 140kg already. He's a good player, and that's why he was pick 2. If he wasn't a good player then they wouldn't have picked him at 2!! Naitanui does things that would impact a game early, with his athleticism, strength and defensive work. It'll be interesting to see whether or not he develops beyond that, since he's not a natural footballer, or whether he just becomes a good tap ruckman with very good defensive skills.

But whatever he does has absolutely no bearing at all on Watts or Watts' development. Watts is a skinny and extremely athletic key forward. He can do things that Naitanui couldn't dream of doing. Watts will be in a position where he must directly compete one on one against key defenders (in his first 2 games he played on Nick Maxwell and Dustin Fletcher), so he'll take a bit of time. Eventually he'll be just as strong and about a light year quicker than any of his opponents.

Jack's got some stuff to learn, but he's got plenty of time on his side. There's no rush, because we're not challenging for a flag yet. We just need him to be ready by then.

[beelzebub 23,382]

I don't see what the major fuss is all about.

Naitanui is a year older and bench presses about 140kg already. He's a good player, and that's why he was pick 2. If he wasn't a good player then they wouldn't have picked him at 2!! Naitanui does things that would impact a game early, with his athleticism, strength and defensive work. It'll be interesting to see whether or not he develops beyond that, since he's not a natural footballer, or whether he just becomes a good tap ruckman with very good defensive skills.

But whatever he does has absolutely no bearing at all on Watts or Watts' development. Watts is a skinny and extremely athletic key forward. He can do things that Naitanui couldn't dream of doing. Watts will be in a position where he must directly compete one on one against key defenders (in his first 2 games he played on Nick Maxwell and Dustin Fletcher), so he'll take a bit of time. Eventually he'll be just as strong and about a light year quicker than any of his opponents.

Jack's got some stuff to learn, but he's got plenty of time on his side. There's no rush, because we're not challenging for a flag yet. We just need him to be ready by then.

there ya have it folks...the voice of reason

nothing left to be said

[titan_uranus 25,042]

I wonder if Gawn or Johnson are going to be out long enough to be moved to the LTI, paving the way for a promotion for McKenzie or Spencer?

[Tony Tea 2,809]

Sylvia, Moloney, McLean,

Jakovich, Tingay, Charles, Glenn Lovett, Prymke, Schwarz.

[Daz's Dee's 113]

I wonder if Gawn or Johnson are going to be out long enough to be moved to the LTI, paving the way for a promotion for McKenzie or Spencer?

I would say thats a gimme Johnson has stress fractures we all know how serious they can be and Gawn is a massive 18 yr old comming off an acl can't see him doing much this season

[H_T 3,049]

I don't see what the major fuss is all about.

Naitanui is a year older and bench presses about 140kg already.

....

....

Totally agree. Jack has plenty of time on his side.

Just on Naitanui, last Friday nights coverage, Richo on the boundary spoke to a WCE trainer. In the coverage Richo said he was told he is now benching 130Kg, up from 90-95Kg last year.

[Roost It 1,434]

In 2 years time we can bump this thread and have a good laugh. Nik Nat will of course be a great player and i wish him all the best and hope he has a long and successful career. Jack Watts, in all liklihood, will end up in the game's elite. He has a big frame, sensational pace and skills and something that Nik Nat will never have, natural football smarts. Yes he will get injured, even Carey and Hird missed lenghty periods of football. This is part and parcel of the game. The fact is these days we have more and more knowledge of injuries and bodies and how to best prepare them. Our club hasn't put a foot wrong with Watts and is playing it cautious. We're taliking about a 10 - 12 year career here folks. Whether or not he plays AFL in the first 6 - 8 weeks of 2010 has no bearing on how well he will be playing in 4 - 5 years time which is when we NEED him at his best. That best will only be achieved if the club ticks every box in the strength and conditioning of young Jack.

[beelzebub 23,382]

Rome wasnt built in a day !!

[Age 485]

Just to add my 2c...

I was talking to a person who knows Nick Nat. and his family very well and he did say that even if Melbourne had picked him up he would already be thinking about heading home due to how close he is to his family.

Therefore we may not have really had a choice in picking him should we have thought about that.

[agent_orange 0]

We were told last w/e Watts had a "Slight Quad strain". Now it's reported to be a back problem. What will it be next week? A little bit of the truth goes a long way with supporters/members.

What is going on with Meeson? Might be time to consider his future again. Personally I would advise the club to pay him out and promote a rookie.

This time of year I would have thought some honesty re the players would be forthcoming!

People considering memberships might be interested in knowing who they will see onfield in the short term.

Performance anxiety - its looking like we should have taken the "nat".

Seriously,this issue should have been looked at prior to recruitment. I know he is young but no otherside in the comp treat their players like children.

I think the Demon football department needs to seriously look at how other clubs develop their players. We are probably the worst in the AFL at getting the most out of our playing group.

the lot of them need to toughen up.

[Roost It 1,434]

I think the Demon football department needs to seriously look at how other clubs develop their players. We are probably the worst in the AFL at getting the most out of our playing group.

the lot of them need to toughen up.

Give me an example of where the current (and past for that matter) football departments have failed to develop talented players well.

[MikeyJ 60]

Seriously,this issue should have been looked at prior to recruitment. I know he is young but no otherside in the comp treat their players like children

(snip)

the lot of them need to toughen up.

What "issue" should have been looked at prior to recruitment?

That Watts was a bottom-aged schoolkid who would spend his first year on the list completing year 12?

That a 196cm (and probably still growing) 18-year-old has got some muscle soreness in his back after increasing his training load in his first full pre-season?

I'm not seeing any "issue" with Jack Watts. The only issue with you and others who have posted similar twaddle is your impatience. I know who needs to toughen up and it's not our young players or the football department.

As for your laughable assertion that no other clubs "treat their players like children", you couldn't be more wrong.

Ask Sydney Swans fans what Lewis Johnston looks like on match day.

Ask Essendon fans if they wish the Dons had treated Scott Gumbleton's back injury differently.

Ask St Kilda from 2001 why they hardly played Nick Riewoldt in his first season.

Ask North Melbourne what they've been doing with Lachlan Hansen for the past three years

Or ask Carlton and West Coast what they were doing with Josh Kennedy, who is starting to show real signs in his fifth season on the list.

Some of the hysteria in this thread would be hilarious if it wasn't so tragic.

Edited February 18, 2010 by MikeyJ

[iv'a worn smith 1,979]

Performance anxiety - its looking like we should have taken the "nat".

Seriously,this issue should have been looked at prior to recruitment. I know he is young but no otherside in the comp treat their players like children.

I think the Demon football department needs to seriously look at how other clubs develop their players. We are probably the worst in the AFL at getting the most out of our playing group.

the lot of them need to toughen up.

Someone on another thread, used the word "hysterical" about this issue and I think a lot of commonsense has gone out the window. Let's see how Jack Watts compares to the early part of Nick Riewoldt's career. I would suggest that many Dees supporters would be looking at JW to play a similar role to Riewoldt.

Riewoldt was a priority pick #1 in 2000. In 2001, Riewoldt played 6 games and kicked 2 goals for the season. Of the 6 games he played, the Saints won one game and were flogged in the others he played in. In 2002, he played all 22 games and kicked 21 goals for the season. In that year, the Saints won only five games and the Dees beat them in their two meetings. In 2003, he kicked 30 goals and the Saints won 11.

As you can see, Riewoldt's rise was not meteoric and his improvement was incremental as was his team.

A reality check is need for some, I think

[Guest Rojik of the Arctic]

Someone on another thread, used the word "hysterical" about this issue and I think a lot of commonsense has gone out the window. Let's see how Jack Watts compares to the early part of Nick Riewoldt's career. I would suggest that many Dees supporters would be looking at JW to play a similar role to Riewoldt.

Riewoldt was a priority pick #1 in 2000. In 2001, Riewoldt played 6 games and kicked 2 goals for the season. Of the 6 games he played, the Saints won one game and were flogged in the others he played in. In 2002, he played all 22 games and kicked 21 goals for the season. In that year, the Saints won only five games and the Dees beat them in their two meetings. In 2003, he kicked 30 goals and the Saints won 11.

As you can see, Riewoldt's rise was not meteoric and his improvement was incremental as was his team.

A reality check is need for some, I think

No no no no no! What we must do is label him injury prone and moan that he will never play another game. We must also bang our heads on the floor if NicNat gets more than two touches in a game and call for the heads of the entire recruiting department if Jack does not win the Coleman this year. That would be a more measured response I think.

Edited February 18, 2010 by Rojik of the Arctic

[Neita3000 37]

Someone on another thread, used the word "hysterical" about this issue and I think a lot of commonsense has gone out the window. Let's see how Jack Watts compares to the early part of Nick Riewoldt's career. I would suggest that many Dees supporters would be looking at JW to play a similar role to Riewoldt.

Riewoldt was a priority pick #1 in 2000. In 2001, Riewoldt played 6 games and kicked 2 goals for the season. Of the 6 games he played, the Saints won one game and were flogged in the others he played in. In 2002, he played all 22 games and kicked 21 goals for the season. In that year, the Saints won only five games and the Dees beat them in their two meetings. In 2003, he kicked 30 goals and the Saints won 11.

As you can see, Riewoldt's rise was not meteoric and his improvement was incremental as was his team.

A reality check is need for some, I think

Hmm Riedwolt won the St Kilda B&F in his 2nd year and polled 11 brownlow votes. Pretty big step up from his first year.

http://www.stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/players/N/Nick_Riewoldt.html

Young Jack just needs some patience. He'll be fine

Edited February 18, 2010 by Neita3000

[Trisul 664]

Ever wondered why some people involved in / witnessing motor vehicle accidents freeze up at the mere thought of getting in a car? Surely some leeway can be given to success starved supporters who've seen the impact long term injuries to key players have had on the clubs potential previously? Alternatively mocking works, I guess.

This is not to suggest, in any way, that JW is or will ever be in such a position.

[iv'a worn smith 1,979]

Hmm Riedwolt won the St Kilda B&F in his 2nd year and polled 11 brownlow votes. Pretty big step up from his first year.

http://www.stats.rle...k_Riewoldt.html

Young Jack just needs some patience. He'll be fine

The Saints only won 5 games that year. The Brownlow voting history is full of aberrations.

Edited February 18, 2010 by iv'a worn smith

[Rogue 585]

Unfortunately, the club's injury list has always been a bit rubbery starting from the days and months when Nick Smith was routinely listed as being out for 4 to 6 weeks. Now we have Jack Watts' slight quad strain transmogrifying into a back injury and poor Luke Tapscott is not listed as being injured at all but he ain't doing much training either. It's all good because if we the supporters are confused then imagine the opposition clubs. They must be quaking in their boots wondering whether or not Tapscott might bob up from nowhere to singlehandedly destroy them in the NAB Cup.

I don't think it's uncommon to have back-related soft tissue injuries in the legs (ie. hamstrings etc).

[Sir Why You Little 37,120]

I can't believe some of the answers i am reading on here.

Just REMEMBER ONE THING THOUGH...Jack Watts is still Growing ok.

Remember that. His Bones are yet to fully Form....

Don't kill the kid with expectations...That's what Filth supporters do to their own.

Another Garbage article by the Sun

[demon3165 2,798]

What "issue" should have been looked at prior to recruitment?

That Watts was a bottom-aged schoolkid who would spend his first year on the list completing year 12?

That a 196cm (and probably still growing) 18-year-old has got some muscle soreness in his back after increasing his training load in his first full pre-season?

I'm not seeing any "issue" with Jack Watts. The only issue with you and others who have posted similar twaddle is your impatience. I know who needs to toughen up and it's not our young players or the football department.

As for your laughable assertion that no other clubs "treat their players like children", you couldn't be more wrong.

Ask Sydney Swans fans what Lewis Johnston looks like on match day.

Ask Essendon fans if they wish the Dons had treated Scott Gumbleton's back injury differently.

Ask St Kilda from 2001 why they hardly played Nick Riewoldt in his first season.

Ask North Melbourne what they've been doing with Lachlan Hansen for the past three years

Or ask Carlton and West Coast what they were doing with Josh Kennedy, who is starting to show real signs in his fifth season on the list.

Some of the hysteria in this thread would be hilarious if it wasn't so tragic.

Without doubt one great post, but it will fall on deaf ears I'm afraid!!!!

[Je Roos Salem 661]

Shame to see Jamar is unable to play. He looked quite good last Saturday.

Our ruck stocks will be challenged. Martin, Spencer and Fitzpatrick is all we have on Sunday