Jack Watts

[DirtyDees DDC 171]

Years ago the Hawthorn recuiting manager came up to coach John Kennedy and said "John, we've got this great kid. He 18yo, 6 ft 4, he's fast and he can jump a mile". And Kennedy replied "great, but can he play football?".

Watts can certainly play football. He is quick, has good hands, good vision, and can kick a ball. He scored with a set shot from outside 50 (light cross winds) and in the 4th quarter he ran out from the casey goal, gathered the ball in a contest, and had the smarts to handball to a player running past him in a better position, setting up another goal.

He probably needs to work on the defensive part of his game, esp the chasing and tackling. He let his opponent run loose for an uncontested possession in the last quarter. At other times he was bottom of the pack working hard to hit a target.

He might not be a lead and mark forward like Dunstall or Plugger, and he may not have the aggression of Carey or Dermott. He's a different type, and could be the new model for forwards in the next 10 years - smooth and mobile, sitting up as many goals as he scores. No need to rush him.

[Hellaintabadplacetobe 4,110]

I have a feeling he will get a run this weekend. I would not at all be surprised if Bails sets him a challenge to put the NicNat debate to bed and make a name for himself against The Eagles.

Whilst I haven`t been to any of the Casey games, from the reports I`ve read on here, I`d say he has had at least 2 reasonable games and 1 very good game out of the past 4, which I think may be enough for the selectors to say ``here is your chance``. If he has a crack, he should not have to play at Casey ever again, hopefully!

[DemonDing 56]

i reckon one more game at casey and he performs the the same if not better get him in. be great to see him out there full of confidence and wanting to prove something to everyone that says we picked the wrong bloke!

[e25 5]

Years ago the Hawthorn recuiting manager came up to coach John Kennedy and said "John, we've got this great kid. He 18yo, 6 ft 4, he's fast and he can jump a mile". And Kennedy replied "great, but can he play football?".

Watts can certainly play football. He is quick, has good hands, good vision, and can kick a ball. He scored with a set shot from outside 50 (light cross winds) and in the 4th quarter he ran out from the casey goal, gathered the ball in a contest, and had the smarts to handball to a player running past him in a better position, setting up another goal.

He probably needs to work on the defensive part of his game, esp the chasing and tackling. He let his opponent run loose for an uncontested possession in the last quarter. At other times he was bottom of the pack working hard to hit a target.

He might not be a lead and mark forward like Dunstall or Plugger, and he may not have the aggression of Carey or Dermott. He's a different type, and could be the new model for forwards in the next 10 years - smooth and mobile, sitting up as many goals as he scores. No need to rush him.

it's the defensive side of the game I want him to have sorted before he comes up to AFL level again.

We can't afford to have a weak link in our forward pressure.

Those expecting him to translate this form instantly to AFL might be in for a shock.

Not saying he can't do it, but just because he sidesteps 4 blokes in VFL doesn't mean it will instantly translate to the 1s.

He could easily take a bit of time to readjust to the increased speed.

[45HG 1,539]

Yeah, that seems to happen allot to him at Casey, he screams for it and gets ignored

It happened quite a bit in his few AFL games as well.

[e25 5]

It happened quite a bit in his few AFL games as well.

But is it his positioning or leading to the wrong spots? (i.e. going against team rules?)

just curious because I've not been able to watch much of him at Casey.

( and his demons games were beltings so it was hard to tell what we were trying to do at the time)

Edited May 9, 2010 by Enforcer25

[agent_orange 0]

Cheers, as to playing him next week, i dont really mind.

Imo the main problem is finding a spot!

Not sure about that!

[jayceebee31 687]

Great effort against Coburg- will be a great player for the Dees in time.I'd like to see him only play say 6 games this year- Win the rising star in 2011.

[Akum 2,660]

For those who weren't at Casey, let me put it this way.

If Juice or Stef had put in the performance that Jack put in yesterday, what we'd be saying is "this is the game we've been waiting for them to play ever since they came to the club!"

Got 4.2 including a poster, dished off 3 others.

[Carlos Danger 380]

Great to hear he got 4, hopefully he can string together a few more games like that one. And I agree with the stance the club is taking, it's clearly the best option.

[Guest melbman]

But is it his positioning or leading to the wrong spots? (i.e. going against team rules?)

just curious because I've not been able to watch much of him at Casey.

( and his demons games were beltings so it was hard to tell what we were trying to do at the time)

That's a good question. I reckon his leads are good, they are not always in the direct line of play and maybe a bit deeper than his team mates are looking for but if they were honored they would allow him to gain possession in thinly populated space and do something positive

I reckon it's one of those things where you look for the players you know and it takes time for people to learn how you lead and play

Sometimes he is a bit stationary when asking for the ball but that could also be cos he's in a good position in a hole (for want of a better term)

[Felix 92]

When he tried something and failed, he got angry. Like pounding a fist into the ground angry. He expects a lot of himself.

noticed that when he hit the post yesterday from a set shot.

[e25 5]

That's a good question. I reckon his leads are good, they are not always in the direct line of play and maybe a bit deeper than his team mates are looking for but if they were honored they would allow him to gain possession in thinly populated space and do something positive

I reckon it's one of those things where you look for the players you know and it takes time for people to learn how you lead and play

Sometimes he is a bit stationary when asking for the ball but that could also be cos he's in a good position in a hole (for want of a better term)

It could be that his timing needs to improve so that he is leading INTO a hole instead of standing in it waiting.

Either way, this is all conjecture & I'm just trying to pick holes in his game.

A good sign.

[titan_uranus 22,775]

Not sure if one performance at Casey is enough to warrant selection. It was a good performance, yes, but so far that's the only game he's really looked comfortable at VFL level.

Let's also not forget the match was against Coburg, who suck.

I'm thinking we need to see him do it again, preferably next week, before we bring him in to the side.

On the other hand, Watts in for Dunn does sound nice...

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

Not sure if one performance at Casey is enough to warrant selection. It was a good performance, yes, but so far that's the only game he's really looked comfortable at VFL level.

Let's also not forget the match was against Coburg, who suck.

It's not the only game he's looked comfortable in. Maybe this year, but then he's also not played forward very much until this weekend.

But the second part is true, every second or third post was about how awful Coburg are, which is hardly a surprise. Given how young the Toigs list is you can imagine how young their VFL seniors are. Would have been like Jack going back to the TAC cup.

Quick question, is there a way of finding out what the longest thread in demonland history is? This one's pretty long, but more importantly I think it has the legs to be our biggest ever.

[Felix 92]

Casey are currently equal on top of the VFL, with 2 other teams (4-1). They played Coburg yesterday who are 11th and play Norther Bullants (8)next Saturday @ Casey fields.

This will be JW last game before either a week off or a senior game. The way he was playing yesterday I would expect him to do the same again, confidence is there, and the skill has never left him. For me JW will have a better game next week against the Bullants.

[titan_uranus 22,775]

I think it's also important for Casey to play Watts at CHF from now on. IIRC he spent a lot of last year up on the wing, which wouldn't really be helping him much.

[jacey 333]

This was part of my review in the Casey v Coburg thread.

But I figure that this part may be relevant here for people who do not look at the Casey stuff....

Jack Watts - I just want to start this by saying one thing.... That Jack Watts thread is ridiculous and anyone who has bagged him, considered he won't make it, said we should have picked NicNat etc.... I just wanna say STFU. Now, he was really good today, kicked 4 goals and gave off 2. Thats 6 scores he was a major part in. Sadly missed 2 set shots that were pretty difficult, could have been 6 today. He has soooooooooooo much time with the ball. Makes smart decisions and has quick hands. Loved it today, almost everytime he got the ball he did something positive with it. His one handed mark, play on, side step, run 5 metres, side step, snap, goal... was awesome! There was 1 moment when he ran up field to the midfield, the ball was bouncing in the air and he was waiting for it to come down, he looked up, he looked behind him for about 0.2 of a second, picked up the ball and immediately side stepped the player who was about to mow him down. The time and awareness in that situation to know exactly who will hit him was priceless and my fav moment of the day. I am still in love with Jack Watts haha.

I want to know how Jack ran out the game. I have no doubt the second he runs out 4 quarters, he'll be in. Tell me it is this week.

[Juicebox 628]

I think it's also important for Casey to play Watts at CHF from now on. IIRC he spent a lot of last year up on the wing, which wouldn't really be helping him much.

Couldn't agree more.

[Demons 32 235]

I want to know how Jack ran out the game. I have no doubt the second he runs out 4 quarters, he'll be in. Tell me it is this week.

He was still running, and his rotations seemed to be normal also.

Maybe he still isn't 100% fit, I don't know, maybe he is. But I didn't once think to myself that he looked tired. Which I think is positive.

On what I saw he should play next week.

HOWEVER, I believe the selection panel will hold off. They asked for consistent performances and goals, that was a great game but he will probably have to put in another good game next week.

[jacey 333]

He was still running, and his rotations seemed to be normal also.

Maybe he still isn't 100% fit, I don't know, maybe he is. But I didn't once think to myself that he looked tired. Which I think is positive.

On what I saw he should play next week.

HOWEVER, I believe the selection panel will hold off. They asked for consistent performances and goals, that was a great game but he will probably have to put in another good game next week.

Cheers. 32

If he does, i wonder which poster will go with We must play Miller to protect Jack.

[RalphiusMaximus 5,993]

Cheers. 32

If he does, i wonder which poster will go with We must play Miller to protect Jack.

In all fairness, when the opposition fullback was getting stuck into Jack with elbows to the back etc where the umps couldn't see, Miller was right there to bully him into backing off.

[Demon3 2,541]

I have been all for letting Wattsy get some form and find touch, i think its time, i heard bailey say his last couple weeks have been good, he needed to kick goals to compliment his game. well he has done that.

to be honest, i am not sure i can stand more watts speculation, if he does not play, then has a quiet match for Casey, we are back to square one.

Get him in, and end all the chat. The Kid deserves his shot!

[Felix 92]

I have been all for letting Wattsy get some form and find touch, i think its time, i heard bailey say his last couple weeks have been good, he needed to kick goals to compliment his game. well he has done that.

to be honest, i am not sure i can stand more watts speculation, if he does not play, then has a quiet match for Casey, we are back to square one.

Get him in, and end all the chat. The Kid deserves his shot!

patience is a virtue, just hold out for a few more weeks and you will see him wearing the red & blue

[Guest Graham Gaunt]

patience is a virtue, just hold out for a few more weeks and you will see him wearing the red & blue

Sorry dont know that word - off with the cotton wool. It's Time......

Otherwise we are facing a long term wait to see whether we have a 'wayne carey' or a darren gaspar' like player taken at number one.

I'm of the opinion that it's good enough for the Sculgove duo, then we need this to become a trio and soon.

Get in there Jack - cant wait.

GG