Forecast for Sunday, Sunny, light winds.

Given that we're playing Saturday, I can't see the relevance of Sunday's forecast (altho' Sat. predicted to be the same.

Given that we're playing Saturday, I can't see the relevance of Sunday's forecast (altho' Sat. predicted to be the same.

All fixed. I knew we were playing Sat, I read Sat forecast, I wrote Sunday, go figure!

I was at the Casey game on Saturday and the thing that struck me about Jack is how big he is. Seriously for someone who has just turned 19, the boy is massive, not necessarily in muscle, but in height and frame. Now for the exciting part, despite being 196cm (6ft 5) he was extremely agile (witness him selling candy to a hapless coburg player and then waltzing into an open goal) and his skills when the ball was on the ground were really good. Considering key position players generally take a few years to come good, I think everyone should stop worrying, cos Jack is the real deal.

Given our next two games after this week are away, one up in Darwin and one down at Skilled Stadium (kill me now), I think that if we don't play Watts and/or Gysberts this week that they may have to wait until we play Carlton in Round 11 (unless injuries force our hand).

Given our next two games after this week are away, one up in Darwin and one down at Skilled Stadium (kill me now), I think that if we don't play Watts and/or Gysberts this week that they may have to wait until we play Carlton in Round 11 (unless injuries force our hand).

Why?

I don't see the urgency in playing Watts this week, give him another game at Casey and see if he can kick 4 or more again. If so, he justifies selection, if not, more Casey.

I think young Jack's confidence is the key.

I would much prefer him to debut for the season this week against a significantly weaker opposition at the MCG rather than against Port in Darwin or taking Scarlet on at the Catery.

Further, our forward line is desperate for some talent.

Not sure who to dropped but it should not be Hughes, be deserves a go in dry conditions.

I think young Jack's confidence is the key.

I would much prefer him to debut for the season this week against a significantly weaker opposition at the MCG rather than against Port in Darwin or taking Scarlet on at the Catery.

Further, our forward line is desperate for some talent.

Not sure who to dropped but it should not be Hughes, be deserves a go in dry conditions.

Chances are that Dunn will move back to the midfield as a tagger in the coming big games soon. So he would I amagine make way for Jack on a Half Forward Flank. So it then becomes a choice out of Bartram & Dunn I believe.

Play him, why not?

In: Watts

Out: Dunn

Sorry Dunn, i wreckon he has been pretty good but he doesnt use the ball well enough, And we need a CHF pretty sure he was drafted too play this position. What is he learning at VFL that he cant learn at the Highest level?

I do not expect much from Watts this year. To everyone that are desperate to get him in this week, what are you expecting from him? 6-14 goals?

I do not expect much from Watts this year. To everyone that are desperate to get him in this week, what are you expecting from him? 6-14 goals?

If he gets 2, he'll have equalled Dunn's best return this year.

Being a No.1 draft pick, may also attract the No.1 defender, freeing up Green and Bate (relatively). Shouldn't happen, but we won't know unless we try?

If he gets 2, he'll have equalled Dunn's best return this year.

Being a No.1 draft pick, may also attract the No.1 defender, freeing up Green and Bate (relatively). Shouldn't happen, but we won't know unless we try?

Do not get me wrong I am all for Watts playing, but some people seem like they have some outrageous expectations from the young man.

I'd be expecting him to take an early step in a very long journey at AFL level.

It doesn't matter how quickly he's given his next game, he's not going to come in and dominate. It would be nice if he got on the end of a few nice passes and kicked a goal or two, but sometime over the next 3 weeks I think it will be time to get the ball rolling. I'm not particularly fussed whether it's this week or not.

There is no reason at all to be playing Watts. He kicked 4 goals against a Richmond 2nds in a sub standard competition.

Like Bails is trying to ram home to all and sundry, until he is doing this week in week out, theres no point picking him.

There is no reason at all to be playing Watts. He kicked 4 goals against a Richmond 2nds in a sub standard competition.

Like Bails is trying to ram home to all and sundry, until he is doing this week in week out, theres no point picking him.

I disagree. If Newton had a similar return he'd be considered for selection. I don't think it's a necessity for him to be dominating the VFL. In the next couple of weeks it's time to get him into the AFL to give him some more AFL experience. That's the only way he's going to begin to dominate and I don't expect that this season. I think at the moment it's just a question of fitness and developing his engine for Jack. If the FD feel he's sufficiently fit enough to carry out a full AFL game, then they should pick him. Are any of the Essendon young key forwards ripping up the game yet? No. And they've played quite a few more games than Watts. West Coast at the G -- I couldn't imagine a better start for him this year and I won't be surprised if he is picked this week.

I reckon the last thing the Dees want is to fuel the Watts v NikNat debate.

He played a good game against a poor side. It won't hurt to have another one or two of those...

Forecast for Saturday, Sunny, light winds.

They're going to be tempted.

Personally I think he'll play casey this week and MFC next week as Casey have the bye.

Surely my mate in crime- is allowed one mistake. Looks like I will be wrong re membership count.Roost it predcted over 33000 I picked 32000.I think I can concede now.

Do not get me wrong I am all for Watts playing, but some people seem like they have some outrageous expectations from the young man.

Examples ?

Play him, why not?

In: Watts

Out: Dunn

Sorry Dunn, i wreckon he has been pretty good but he doesnt use the ball well enough, And we need a CHF pretty sure he was drafted too play this position. What is he learning at VFL that he cant learn at the Highest level?

I think this misses the point.

To me the most important point is whether JWs inclusion this week stregthens the side or not. I have seem JW play for Casey two out of the last three weeks, and had a detailed report from a friend at the Gold Coast. I think it is very important that first of all he wins his place on merit, and secondly for his own confidence and long term future at the club that when he does play he make a reasonable impact. On current form at Casey neither of those things apply. If he continues to improve as he has over the next couple of weeks like he has over the last three then he will be ready IMO in 2-3 weeks time.

To include him any earlier would weaken the team and send the wrong signal to the other players that not everyone is judged on current form. We are not far from the 8 for Christ sake. We need to ruthlessly march into it with the best team available. To be fair to the club (who I think by the way are handling this issue very professionally and taking the longterm view unlike some supporters on this site), Dean Baily has consistently said JW does not only need to earn his place, but also needs to play some consistently outstanding football at Casey. He is right, and the club will make the right decision on this one.

From Brad Gotch's player review:

Jack Watts - Kicks 6, Handballs 14, Marks 7, Tackles 5, Goals 4

Jack had probably his best game for the year for us. We had him down for seventeen touches, seven marks, four goals two. He was also involved in a couple of other passages of play that created goals, and goal assists, and with the four goals two, one of them hit the post. He did beautifully. He’s got that kicking back, so he would have been well pleased with that. He worked in really well with Brad Miller and Michael Newton, as a forward trio. Jack’s heading in an excellent direction, and he’s been doing that the last couple of weeks.

20 disposals, 7 marks, 5 tackles 4 goals 2. I think we can all agree that that's a pretty good return for the game.

He played very, very well.

The question now is whether Bails will consider this to be good game #1, #2 or #3 in terms of where it puts him on his path to the AFL.

Reasons Jack should play Vs Weagles

• he's ready
  
• he was the best forward in the MFC reserves last week
  
• Better than Hughes (apologies to Hughes)
  
• will benefit from A grade delivery over some of the slush he might get in the reserves
  
• make for a great build up and game at the G this Sat (see memberships and attendances), with a similar window not opening up till Round 11 (v Blues @ the G)
  
• demonstrate MFC and JW are comfortable with inevitable comparisons with Nic Nat
  
• JW is a very talented No# 1 draft pick who needs game time with the Senior team
  

Reasons Jack shouldn't play Vs Weagles

• He's not ready
  
• MFC forward line is full of better players
  
• Hughes deserves more than a week in the senior team to show his wares
  
• Jack still needs to improve his fitness, intensity, positions and can do this in the reserves
  
• better to sneak Jack into the team in Darwin v Port or at Skilled V cats or wait till we meet the Blues at the G
  
• prefer to avoid a head to head comparisons with Nic Nat
  
• JW is not as good as we think/thought and may not add value to the Senior team at the moment
  

I vote that we get him out there this Saturday, at the G for all to see...

Reasons Jack should play Vs Weagles

• he's ready
• he was the best forward in the MFC reserves last week
• Better than Hughes (apologies to Hughes)
• will benefit from A grade delivery over some of the slush he might get in the reserves
• make for a great build up and game at the G this Sat (see memberships and attendances), with a similar window not opening up till Round 11 (v Blues @ the G)
• demonstrate MFC and JW are comfortable with inevitable comparisons with Nic Nat
• JW is a very talented No# 1 draft pick who needs game time with the Senior team

Reasons Jack shouldn't play Vs Weagles

• He's not ready
• MFC forward line is full of better players
• Hughes deserves more than a week in the senior team to show his wares
• Jack still needs to improve his fitness, intensity, positions and can do this in the reserves
• better to sneak Jack into the team in Darwin v Port or at Skilled V cats or wait till we meet the Blues at the G
• prefer to avoid a head to head comparisons with Nic Nat
• JW is not as good as we think/thought and may not add value to the Senior team at the moment

I vote that we get him out there this Saturday, at the G for all to see...

He didn't play for the MFC reserves last week.

I think this misses the point.

To me the most important point is whether JWs inclusion this week stregthens the side or not. I have seem JW play for Casey two out of the last three weeks, and had a detailed report from a friend at the Gold Coast. I think it is very important that first of all he wins his place on merit, and secondly for his own confidence and long term future at the club that when he does play he make a reasonable impact. On current form at Casey neither of those things apply. If he continues to improve as he has over the next couple of weeks like he has over the last three then he will be ready IMO in 2-3 weeks time.

To include him any earlier would weaken the team and send the wrong signal to the other players that not everyone is judged on current form. We are not far from the 8 for Christ sake. We need to ruthlessly march into it with the best team available. To be fair to the club (who I think by the way are handling this issue very professionally and taking the longterm view unlike some supporters on this site), Dean Baily has consistently said JW does not only need to earn his place, but also needs to play some consistently outstanding football at Casey. He is right, and the club will make the right decision on this one.

Point taken but IMO Jack watts is a better set shot for goal than lyndan dunn therefore is what the team need, a goal kicking forward. The only thing he may struggle in is contested marks. But would have most other skills covered over dunn. Anyway I doubt it will happin, as the FD have been very open and honest with there treatment of Jack and he may still be a good game or two away from an afl return. Be interesting come Thursday arvo when the teams are announced though

He didn't play for the MFC reserves last week.

If last week means against Coburg. He kicked 4 goals.