Here is a comparison between Jack Riewoldt and our boy Jack Watts.

After watching Jack Riewoldt(after 58 games) kick 10 yesterday and absolutely dominating I had a look back over some stats. After Jack Riewoldt had played 8 games he was yet to have over 10 disposals and he had kicked a collective 7 goals. THREE YEARS later he has kicked 30 goals in 5 weeks and has taken the AFL by storm. There was no constant criticsm of his early performances simply because he wasn't the number one pick!!!

After 8 games Watts has had over 10 possesions 4 times and has kicked 6 goals. He is clearly not physically ready to play AFL footy, neither was Riewoldt. However, the Tiges persisted with him and he played the majority of the games that he was available for selection. They through him the deep end and they are now reeping the rewards. We must do the same with Watts. Watts will only get stronger as the fitness staff lock him in the gym and he actually completes a pre-season. After playing a bit of Junior footy against Watts one have his strengths was his contested mark(like riewoldt). However, it is pretty hard for him to out muscle Riewoldt, Cornes, Glass etc. Be patient with him. He doesn't need to kick 4 or 5 goals this week, or this year. He needs to be doing it when it counts and when we are playing finals footy in a few years time. Riewoldt had kicked a bag of 4 or more only twice going into the 2010 season. Riewoldt had protection in the form of Richo, Watts doesnt even have an other key forward to take the pressure off. So, once again please be patient, don't demand him to go the VFL...he will learn many valuable lessons playing AFL footy and hopefully in a few years time we will be idolizing him like the Richmond faithful.

Here is a comparison between Jack Riewoldt and our boy Jack Watts.

After watching Jack Riewoldt(after 58 games) kick 10 yesterday and absolutely dominating I had a look back over some stats. After Jack Riewoldt had played 8 games he was yet to have over 10 disposals and he had kicked a collective 7 goals. THREE YEARS later he has kicked 30 goals in 5 weeks and has taken the AFL by storm. There was no constant criticsm of his early performances simply because he wasn't the number one pick!!!

After 8 games Watts has had over 10 possesions 4 times and has kicked 6 goals. He is clearly not physically ready to play AFL footy, neither was Riewoldt. However, the Tiges persisted with him and he played the majority of the games that he was available for selection. They through him the deep end and they are now reeping the rewards. We must do the same with Watts. Watts will only get stronger as the fitness staff lock him in the gym and he actually completes a pre-season. After playing a bit of Junior footy against Watts one have his strengths was his contested mark(like riewoldt). However, it is pretty hard for him to out muscle Riewoldt, Cornes, Glass etc. Be patient with him. He doesn't need to kick 4 or 5 goals this week, or this year. He needs to be doing it when it counts and when we are playing finals footy in a few years time. Riewoldt had kicked a bag of 4 or more only twice going into the 2010 season. Riewoldt had protection in the form of Richo, Watts doesnt even have an other key forward to take the pressure off. So, once again please be patient, don't demand him to go the VFL...he will learn many valuable lessons playing AFL footy and hopefully in a few years time we will be idolizing him like the Richmond faithful.

Well said!!

Go Dees!

great post

You can draw a comparison closer to home too.

James Frawley was written off as a complete dud in his first two season. He is now one of our best players, and one of the best young defenders in the competition. He is also a tank.

I still remember face-palming myself after reading the rubbish written about Frawley on here. The difference was, he wasn't a first pick and so the external pressure on him wasn't so high.

Also, thank you for starting another Jack Watts thread and killing a puppy!

Here is a comparison between Jack Riewoldt and our boy Jack Watts.

After watching Jack Riewoldt(after 58 games) kick 10 yesterday and absolutely dominating I had a look back over some stats. After Jack Riewoldt had played 8 games he was yet to have over 10 disposals and he had kicked a collective 7 goals. THREE YEARS later he has kicked 30 goals in 5 weeks and has taken the AFL by storm. There was no constant criticsm of his early performances simply because he wasn't the number one pick!!!

After 8 games Watts has had over 10 possesions 4 times and has kicked 6 goals. He is clearly not physically ready to play AFL footy, neither was Riewoldt. However, the Tiges persisted with him and he played the majority of the games that he was available for selection. They through him the deep end and they are now reeping the rewards. We must do the same with Watts. Watts will only get stronger as the fitness staff lock him in the gym and he actually completes a pre-season. After playing a bit of Junior footy against Watts one have his strengths was his contested mark(like riewoldt). However, it is pretty hard for him to out muscle Riewoldt, Cornes, Glass etc. Be patient with him. He doesn't need to kick 4 or 5 goals this week, or this year. He needs to be doing it when it counts and when we are playing finals footy in a few years time. Riewoldt had kicked a bag of 4 or more only twice going into the 2010 season. Riewoldt had protection in the form of Richo, Watts doesnt even have an other key forward to take the pressure off. So, once again please be patient, don't demand him to go the VFL...he will learn many valuable lessons playing AFL footy and hopefully in a few years time we will be idolizing him like the Richmond faithful.

you spoton 'dd', but we're also keeping this sort of story alive. Giving it breath of its own.

Jack Watts as my boys keep telling me will be a Melbourne Gun in the future, Ive seen some indications that he could be more than capabale

However at the moment at least to me he looks out of his depth, he seems down on confidence, I have never seen a player spend so much time trying to keep his feet as what he does, actually he sort of reminds me of a Baby Giraffe trying to learn to stand on his feet.

His decision making on occassions, fails to keep up with the pace of the game

In fact in the last quarter when he got the ball and didnt know what to do with it, he reminded me of a Rabbit caught in the spotlight not knowing which way to run,

But what really got to me was the images of Watts standing in the room after the match leaning against the wall with his head down looking totally dejected and alone, while team mates were talking to each other around him.

'My question are as follows:

Are the Melbourne football club doing the right thing at the moment by young Jack by playing him in the 1st's.?

Is it self feeding?,

I understand he needs the experience but what about his self confidence?

Would a stint now at Casey Hurt him or help him?

I want to see the Kid achieve his goals as much as anyone else but I wonder about the approach being taking to achieve this at this stage in his career

In fact in the last quarter when he got the ball and didnt know what to do with it, he reminded me of a Rabbit caught in the spotlight not knowing which way to run,

If that is the incident I think it is, it was patly Miller's fault (and I'm no Miller-basher). Miller needed to move away from the oppo player to give Watt's an option. Instead he just stood a foot behind him and Watts ran into the pair of them. Watts showed some good signs today.

'There was no constant criticsm of his early performances simply because he wasn't the number one pick!!!'

I must reply to this.

There is criticism because he:

(a) Doesn't play like he wants the footy

(B) He falls over far too easily (Morton even keeps his feet better)

© He is too hesitant despite his inexperience

and

(d) He doesn't chase enough.

(A) is the biggest problem.

We shouldn't lower our expectations entirely. The fact that people applaud him just because he hit 1 or 2 targets is a joke. When you play in an AFL game, there is no excuse for missing a target unless you are under pressure.

We shouldn't lower our expectations entirely. The fact that people applaud him just because he hit 1 or 2 targets is a joke. When you play in an AFL game, there is no excuse for missing a target unless you are under pressure.

Unfortunately every time he goes near the ball he is under pressure regardless of what is happening in the play. The more he plays the less this will be an issue. (Of course if in the long run he turns out to be a bit of a dud, the pressure would mount again. But he is unlikely to be a dud even if he does not become a superstar).

Here is a comparison between Jack Riewoldt and our boy Jack Watts.

After watching Jack Riewoldt(after 58 games) kick 10 yesterday and absolutely dominating I had a look back over some stats. After Jack Riewoldt had played 8 games he was yet to have over 10 disposals and he had kicked a collective 7 goals. THREE YEARS later he has kicked 30 goals in 5 weeks and has taken the AFL by storm. There was no constant criticsm of his early performances simply because he wasn't the number one pick!!!

After 8 games Watts has had over 10 possesions 4 times and has kicked 6 goals. He is clearly not physically ready to play AFL footy, neither was Riewoldt. However, the Tiges persisted with him and he played the majority of the games that he was available for selection. They through him the deep end and they are now reeping the rewards. We must do the same with Watts. Watts will only get stronger as the fitness staff lock him in the gym and he actually completes a pre-season. After playing a bit of Junior footy against Watts one have his strengths was his contested mark(like riewoldt). However, it is pretty hard for him to out muscle Riewoldt, Cornes, Glass etc. Be patient with him. He doesn't need to kick 4 or 5 goals this week, or this year. He needs to be doing it when it counts and when we are playing finals footy in a few years time. Riewoldt had kicked a bag of 4 or more only twice going into the 2010 season. Riewoldt had protection in the form of Richo, Watts doesnt even have an other key forward to take the pressure off. So, once again please be patient, don't demand him to go the VFL...he will learn many valuable lessons playing AFL footy and hopefully in a few years time we will be idolizing him like the Richmond faithful.

Demondomination. How dare you bring statistics and sound logic to this site. Be careful you may end up banned

Every time a Jack Watts thread is started, an EMO is born. Think about that....

Losing his footing is the most frustrating part of watching him atm. But his disposal by foot is generally good... either hitting a target or to advantage. He is one of very few at the club that I actually expect to convert a set shot at the moment. His conversion rate (when within his kicking range 45m) would have to be the best at the club.

It is just going to take time for the young fellow to hit his straps.

'There was no constant criticsm of his early performances simply because he wasn't the number one pick!!!'

I must reply to this.

There is criticism because he:

(a) Doesn't play like he wants the footy

(B) He falls over far too easily (Morton even keeps his feet better)

© He is too hesitant despite his inexperience

and

(d) He doesn't chase enough.

(A) is the biggest problem.

We shouldn't lower our expectations entirely. The fact that people applaud him just because he hit 1 or 2 targets is a joke. When you play in an AFL game, there is no excuse for missing a target unless you are under pressure.

You really didn't get the point of what I posted, did you?

Frawley would get lost on the lead, he would get lost in the air, he would get hammered for terrible decision making and terrible disposal. Frawley is now a gun of the highest order.

Frawley did not get the external attention that Watts received, despite being very ordinary in his first couple of seasons, because at pick 12 he was able to remain largely anonymous in the media. Watts does not have that luxury, but should be afforded the sort of patience that most supporters did not give Frawley, and likewise Garland.

A KPP is NOT a dud just because he doesn't set the world on fire in the first 8 games of his career. Likewise he is not a dud because idiots think he lacks intensity, or has no awareness because he got tackled.

One day when Jack Watts kicks a bag, this board will go into meltdown with "OMFG JACK WATTS IZ AWESOME!!!1" and "I told you so" threads. I can hardly wait

"OMFG JACK WATTS IZ AWESOME!!!1"

I love the 1 on the end Jaded! gave it some real authenticity!

Fantastic orginal post! A very good comparison to make.

Jack Watts as my boys keep telling me will be a Melbourne Gun in the future, Ive seen some indications that he could be more than capabale

However at the moment at least to me he looks out of his depth, he seems down on confidence, I have never seen a player spend so much time trying to keep his feet as what he does, actually he sort of reminds me of a Baby Giraffe trying to learn to stand on his feet.

His decision making on occassions, fails to keep up with the pace of the game

In fact in the last quarter when he got the ball and didnt know what to do with it, he reminded me of a Rabbit caught in the spotlight not knowing which way to run,

But what really got to me was the images of Watts standing in the room after the match leaning against the wall with his head down looking totally dejected and alone, while team mates were talking to each other around him.

'My question are as follows:

Are the Melbourne football club doing the right thing at the moment by young Jack by playing him in the 1st's.?

Is it self feeding?,

I understand he needs the experience but what about his self confidence?

Would a stint now at Casey Hurt him or help him?

I want to see the Kid achieve his goals as much as anyone else but I wonder about the approach being taking to achieve this at this stage in his career

If that is the incident I think it is, it was patly Miller's fault (and I'm no Miller-basher). Miller needed to move away from the oppo player to give Watt's an option. Instead he just stood a foot behind him and Watts ran into the pair of them. Watts showed some good signs today.

completely agree. After taking the ball, Jack's momentum was carrying him straight

towards Miller and Leigh Brown, not having room to change direction.

Miller was rooted to the spot and too slow to think, but he should have thrown his body into Brown and shepherded for Watts.

Alternatively he could have moved away into space, placing Watts between himself and Brown, so Jack could absorb the tackle and release Miller.

Watts had no options and was relying on Miller to recognize the situation and make a split-second decision and the right play.

Didn't happen.

completely agree. After taking the ball, Jack's momentum was carrying him straight

towards Miller and Leigh Brown, not having room to change direction.

Miller was rooted to the spot and too slow to think, but he should have thrown his body into Brown and shepherded for Watts.

Alternatively he could have moved away into space, placing Watts between himself and Brown, so Jack could absorb the tackle and release Miller.

Watts had no options and was relying on Miller to recognize the situation and make a split-second decision and the right play.

Didn't happen.

Agree also. I've alluded to this play in the three words thread. He was cooked by his senior teammate there.

You really didn't get the point of what I posted, did you?

Frawley would get lost on the lead, he would get lost in the air, he would get hammered for terrible decision making and terrible disposal. Frawley is now a gun of the highest order.

Frawley did not get the external attention that Watts received, despite being very ordinary in his first couple of seasons, because at pick 12 he was able to remain largely anonymous in the media. Watts does not have that luxury, but should be afforded the sort of patience that most supporters did not give Frawley, and likewise Garland.

A KPP is NOT a dud just because he doesn't set the world on fire in the first 8 games of his career. Likewise he is not a dud because idiots think he lacks intensity, or has no awareness because he got tackled.

One day when Jack Watts kicks a bag, this board will go into meltdown with "OMFG JACK WATTS IZ AWESOME!!!1" and "I told you so" threads. I can hardly wait

Of all the times I've seen Frawley at AFl level or at Casey level I never had doubts over him. Other may have but I never did. A KPP is a dud if they don't want the footy. He doesn't demand it unlike Riewoldt did since day 1. My expectations of Watts may be too high, but at the same time 95% of posters on this site need to expect more. We need to stop giving him praise for pulling off basic football skills like hitting a target to a leading player or kicking a goal from directly in front. (And yes, the one he got today was from a free kick that definitely wasn't there).

And Reiwoldt had Richo for most of his early years too.

I agree with Sue regarding the play where watts ran straight towards the collingwood players only to get tackled while miller stood still. After watching the replay you could see him look at miller to run off his man to either create space for Watts or so Watts could draw Millers man (leigh brown) and give off the hand ball to miller who could then have sufficient space to move the ball on. As watts moved closer to miller and miller stayed stagnant you could almost see Watts starting to panic. Ultimately this is where experience makes the difference. The option he thought he had, didn't work out and he didn't know how to get out of the situation. Thats normal for any experienced player. That mistake did cost us a goal, but aside from that i thought he played a reasonable game once again showing his cleanness at ground level, and quality disposal and accurate goal kicking.

He's so multi-skilled i can't see any situation where he can't succeed for us. Lets just give the guy some time.

wow just realised that theres a few of us here that view the sequence of events with Watts and Miller exactly the same way. Could it be that Watts was actually just a smarter thinker in football terms than Miller??

Of all the times I've seen Frawley at AFl level or at Casey level I never had doubts over him. Other may have but I never did. A KPP is a dud if they don't want the footy. He doesn't demand it unlike Riewoldt did since day 1. My expectations of Watts may be too high, but at the same time 95% of posters on this site need to expect more. We need to stop giving him praise for pulling off basic football skills like hitting a target to a leading player or kicking a goal from directly in front. (And yes, the one he got today was from a free kick that definitely wasn't there).

Did you ever doubt Riewoldt. I did. Especially in a game last year when we had Clint Bartram on him (which may have been a tanking move) so Barts could just run off him.

I doubted Garland, and whilst I was always impressed with Frawley there was a time in 2008 when he was in the VFL and I was concerned he would fall behind a defence constructed from Warnock, Garland and Stef Martin. I thought he make it eventually, but not be as good as he is.

Jack has all the skills already, marking (great hands will only get better - rarely drops an opportunity at even this stage). kicking (95% shot on goal - frustrates me he is passing off around the 50 mtr mark, he can kick these most times.) handballing (is as good as any one with 10 games)with excellent peripheral vision ( basketball background ). Yes he has little physical confidence with his thin growing body (but only time will address this eg. 2 years at a minimum.) His primary challenge at the moment is getting used to the speed of the game - AND HE WON'T LEARN THAT IN THE VFL. THEREFORE I SAY KEEP PLAYING HIM. Wins are nice, but the development of young kids is paramount.

The critics are missing the point. Yes, he is low on confidence and physical strength, but he will not pick this up in the VFL....No matter how well he plays in the magoos people will still doubt his ability at AFL level until he performs at AFL level (Jack Watts included)...People forget even Scully looked to be slightly overawed in his first handful of games a lot of people attributed his turning point in confidence to that bump on Mcintosh....he is now flourishing...Maybe it will take a similar moment for it to turn around with Watts. He has the skill, athletic ability and hands that trade mark a good forward...His attack on the footy hasn't been great yet, but it comes down to confidene. Just be patient. It will click.