I do not agree-Watson is a far better defender.

Not a chance.

Like Freddy said, McCarthy is the better option.

He'll go earlier in any case.

Watson is slow and I reckon he'll have Whitnall and Nick Stevens-type problems.

I really hope he ends up at Carlton.

If Billie Smedts and Tom Lynch are gone before Pick 12. I can see us taking Watson.

101kg & 194cm. Sounds like David Neitz!

Has beaten Day & Darling down back and sounds as though he can play forward.

Watson poses an interesting dilemma for the recruiting team.

Watson seems to have the upside of having the highest skin fold tests taken in the combine and therefore should show more athletic qualities as he trims down the fat and puts on muscle. Secondly, although appearing slow, his repeat sprints were inside the top 40 at the combine, and he himself rates his closing speed as a strength...

The unknown is whether he will indeed turn out to be the next Lance Whitnall, or make progress in the Michael Hurley direction.

I believe Watson should be seriously considered for two reasons

1) Successful premiership teams in recent years have had a number of big bodied key forwards. At present J Frawley is the only player strong and tall enough to play on these types, and even then he is 193 and usually giving away a few centimetres. Although we have Warnock, his kicking and decision making are issues that have seen him left out of the team. J Rivers is a very good player, but not quick and not suited to key positions such as full back. Watson would give us a tall, strong player who wants to play in a key position and will not be pushed off the ball in the goal square.

2) Watson is considered an elite left foot kick, considered by some the best in the draft. Melbourne is suspect by foot coming out of defence (even with C Bruce leaving), as Bartram, Macdonald and Rivers are all shoddy kicks. Frawley has improved but is not elite, while Garland and Grimes as the most reliable and skilled. Morton going back will not alleviate the situation. The forward press that collingwood used so successfully this year will be adopted by all teams. Being able to both hit targets and kick over the zone will become more important than ever. Watson can do both, and he has described himself as a Gilbert type who likes to break the lines. Neither Rivers or Warnock will do this, and neither can Steph Martin (for those who hold out hope for him returning to the backline).

In terms of and variety of height, strength and kicking skills, I believe the dees backline would look more reliable with the following line-up.

Garland Frawley Bartram

Morton Watson Grimes

I believe Morton's kicking will continue to improve and has the potential to be very damaging. Another Bartram type could be drafted this year with a focus on defensive ability and foot skills (Bennell does not have the defensive ability yet but may improve and could be considered for this position)

It should be noted Macarthy is also a good kick for his height, but have proposed Watson on the basis that he has better kicking skills, but he could easily be swapped.

This is not to say the dees must recruit a key defender with good foot skills, as I think they should take the player that they believe will make an impact at AFL level, I just think it might be tempting as it would provide what I believe is the missing link for a premiership defense.

Cheers

Edited November 11, 201014 yr by Bhima

Along with MFCSS can we please add MDT = Must Draft Tall.

It happens every year.

I'm tipping a mid at 12, history suggests it.

Emma Quayle's view on Matthew Watson + some combine results.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/picks-of-the-draft-matthew-watson-20101108-17ki6.html

Not as slow as some of us thought...

Interesting, kinda "debunks" the lack of "pace theory" ...

Must be a interesting candidate if Emma is correct.

Edited November 11, 201014 yr by hangon007

Combine results aren't everything.

He's still slow, as is Caddy, just as Brodie Smith is fast.

Michael Hurley's draft camp results.

http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/picks-of-the-draft--michael-hurley-20091124-j83y.html

Matthew Watson did the 20m sprint in 2.98s - Michael Hurley did it in 3.11s

Imagine what a leaner, fitter Watson could accomplish.

A bit like Jack Watts, he looks like he is going slower than he really is.

His kicking is better than Hurley's too !!!

I would be happy for us to get a player that is faster, taller, stronger and a better kick than Hurley with pick 12.

Michael Hurley's draft camp results.

http://www.smh.com.a...91124-j83y.html

Matthew Watson did the 20m sprint in 2.98s - Michael Hurley did it in 3.11s

Imagine what a leaner, fitter Watson could accomplish.

A bit like Jack Watts, he looks like he is going slower than he really is.

His kicking is better than Hurley's too !!!

I would be happy for us to get a player that is faster, taller, stronger and a better kick than Hurley with pick 12.

Those Stats are a nice & unexpected surprise.

Combine results aren't everything.

He's still slow, as is Caddy, just as Brodie Smith is fast.

Believing what you read on AFL forums is not "everything" either.

Combine results aren't everything.

He's still slow, as is Caddy, just as Brodie Smith is fast.

Effective is effective & big is big. He can play too.

Believing what you read on AFL forums is not "everything" either.

No [censored]. I write half of it.

I've seen him play & I think he'll struggle at the next level.

Effective is effective & big is big. He can play too.

Have always liked the look of him. He essentially plays as a giant sweeper, playing a Maxwell role across half back he would be a formidable unit to get past.....and when he chops it off he has the ability to hurt with his disposal. The only question is if he will have the freedom to play this role at the top level.

Have always liked the look of him. He essentially plays as a giant sweeper, playing a Maxwell role across half back he would be a formidable unit to get past.....and when he chops it off he has the ability to hurt with his disposal. The only question is if he will have the freedom to play this role at the top level.

I haven't watched any U-18's this year, so I wouldn't know anything much about this years crop.

I just hope we do well, & that the footy dept don't over estimate our current defence.

I would not be totally disappointed if we selected Watson, since I believe he will become a very good key position defender at AFL level.

I do think we have more pressing concerns elsewhere, namely a key forward and a running rebounding defender. BUT, if we did pick up Watson, then it would really set up our defensive structure for the next 10 years. Warnock is clearly on the outer, and he is only depth these days anyways. River is a great leader in defence, but he's 27 and won't be around forever. Also, the way his body has taken a battering over the years i can't see him lasting well past 30.

In 3 years time, if we had 3 key defenders on our list in Frawley, Garland and Watson, we'd be very comfortable with our defence.

The more I read about him. The more I think he suits our needs!

Carlton would spew if he don't make it too 18.

Smedts or Watson for me!

Is there any questions about his attack on the ball? He's a good size and the draft camp data indicates he's not as slow as some think. However a guy his size should be imposing himself at the contest, not just peeling off and breaking the lines with that fabulous left foot.

He zones off a lot, Brian Lake-style.

Lake is a big oaf but doesn't throw his weight around a lot.

Mostly because it's unnecessary.

I'm not sold on Watson being able to get away with this at AFL level though.

He is capable of the bodywork and rough stuff. I think to make it, or be the player people seem to think be will be, he needs to develop a hunger for the physical contest like Frawley has.

Carlton have their eye on Watson at pick 18.

"Just as significantly, he managed to curtail such star opponents as Sam Day (SA), Jack Darling (WA) and Lucas Cook (Vic Country)."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/105134/default.aspx

Matthew Watson: (195cm, 98kg): “We thought he was a back player, but certainly the clubs have been happy with him going forward."

http://www.starnewsgroup.com.au/star/hume/271/story/113976.html