This guy struggled today.

Jack Grimes kicking was quite off.

Liam Jurrah should play in front more.

Nathan Jones tries hard.

The problem is not with Watts, but rather supporter expectations of Watts. On two points:

1 - That he would make an immediate impact.

2 - The style of player he is.

When he was drafted he was called a key forward, so everybody imagined that he was a Wayne Carey/Dermott Brereton/Jonathan Brown type player. He isn't. That's not his style. So when he doesn't come out barrel chested, shrug a tackle and commit a sexual assualt everyone screams how he doesn't "play like a man".

It is more of a reflection on the person making the comment than it is on Watts.

That's great, but I've seen enough to know that he'll never be a star of the competition and that's very disappointing - especially for a number 1 draft pick.

That's great, but I've seen enough to know that he'll never be a star of the competition and that's very disappointing - especially for a number 1 draft pick.

He could very well be a star of the competition. You were probably one of those clowns who laughed at Goddard when he looked rediclously silly in his first 2 seasons. Or Sandilands, or looks so uncoordinated that most thought he'd be the worst player in the comp.

Watts continues to improve each and every week, and only just turned 20.

One thing I liked today was that he wasn't outmarked and always created a contest and at the very least brought the ball to ground.

I still think he'll be a hell of a player in 2-3 years

That's great, but I've seen enough to know that he'll never be a star of the competition and that's very disappointing - especially for a number 1 draft pick.

See you in two years.

The problem is not with Watts, but rather supporter expectations of Watts. On two points:

1 - That he would make an immediate impact.

2 - The style of player he is.

When he was drafted he was called a key forward, so everybody imagined that he was a Wayne Carey/Dermott Brereton/Jonathan Brown type player. He isn't. That's not his style. So when he doesn't come out barrel chested, shrug a tackle and commit a sexual assualt everyone screams how he doesn't "play like a man".

It is more of a reflection on the person making the comment than it is on Watts.

Exactly.

I'd also make the point that for those that want him to be more instinctive. Jack Watts wasn't born with a footy in his hands like Scully he's a basketball convert. There's a lot of similarities between the games, but his natural inclination is to wait for the right option. He'll be a very, very good KPF in time, but like Spunj said he won't be a Jonathon Brown... same, but different.

Who was worse?

He was terrible in the first half. Better in the second. He is good when he has the ball. But is shocking when he hasn't

Jarod Rivers was by far our worst today.

Jarod Rivers was by far our worst today.

It was a game of two halves

I for one would love to see the demons apply real pressure and commit to the contest from the first bounce

Maloney Martin Jones and now Tapscott did . For too long Melbourne has had too many outside players watching and waiting and not enough commitment

When we have ateam that commits as a group ah la Collingwood then wem ay be considered for premiership honours

We still have a long way to go but signs are encouraging.

Re JW

I beleive he will make it but needs a different kind of mentoring. He is completely lacking in self belief. He has the skill and the brain! What is required is personality modifaiction. When they asked Barassi in the interview last week about fierceness he said simply you either have it or you dont!

Rivers was disappointing.

As said above by some one else as much as it irks I think Healey is right about Watts he should be playing off Half back for a while.

Neita played down there as he developed. It will help him harden up and learn more spatial awareness.

He just needs more game time. Far from our worst on the day.

Absolutely Spot On....When he creates play in the first Quarter, he will click into gear. He is still a little rushed by the intensity of AFL, how good was Jamie Bennell's goal...!

Agreed on Watts... but yes, that Bennell goal was magic! Goal of the match (even better than Green's effort) - but what about his riding of the bump to set up a great piece of play? He's due for a big one this year, I can feel it in my bones.

That's great, but I've seen enough to know that he'll never be a star of the competition and that's very disappointing - especially for a number 1 draft pick.

Jeez, you have jumped off...

He is on his way.

Belief is a powerful thing.

Rivers was disappointing.

As said above by some one else as much as it irks I think Healey is right about Watts he should be playing off Half back for a while.

Neita played down there as he developed. It will help him harden up and learn more spatial awareness.

He just needs more game time. Far from our worst on the day.

Needs to play closer to goal. He should be using his spped to get back into space - seems like non of our other forwards can get back down there quick enough.

We still need a strong target dwon in the forwardline to crash the packs.

If Davey and Jetta get rubbed out, surely Wona will play.

Can't believe the thought that we nailed the sub. Pettered was the sort of player we really needed in the first two quaters. He is far more desperate and willing to present a target. I'd have subbed Bennel or Jetta.

Made some great spoils.

That's great, but I've seen enough to know that he'll never be a star of the competition and that's very disappointing - especially for a number 1 draft pick.

Chin up H - only two #1 draft picks are currently out-and-out 'stars'.

That's great, but I've seen enough to know that he'll never be a star of the competition and that's very disappointing - especially for a number 1 draft pick.

Quick get this guy into the list management team, obviously knows more about the future careers of players than anyone else involved at MFC.

I understand you may not be excited by him as a player but to write him off at this stage just shows how seriously we should take your opinion...

Bulltish

Slow of mind I should have clarified. He was always a step behind.

He was basically crap and a lot of supporters were [censored] that we wasted a first round pick on him.

Garland wasn't much better either. His debut season was awful. His first game embarrassing.

I think we saw yesterday with Tappy what a massive difference a mature body makes. He looked like a 100 game veteran because he had the body to compete. And it wasn't until Frawley became a beefcake and gained physical confidence that he became the gun that he is now.

It's always really hard to contain expectations when there is so much hype, but we just have to be patient. Watts is getting better each week, but it's going to be a slow rise to the top.

Don't lose the faith. It's very early days.

Slow of mind I should have clarified. He was always a step behind.

He was basically crap and a lot of supporters were [censored] that we wasted a first round pick on him.

Garland wasn't much better either. His debut season was awful. His first game embarrassing.

I think we saw yesterday with Tappy what a massive difference a mature body makes. He looked like a 100 game veteran because he had the body to compete. And it wasn't until Frawley became a beefcake and gained physical confidence that he became the gun that he is now.

It's always really hard to contain expectations when there is so much hype, but we just have to be patient. Watts is getting better each week, but it's going to be a slow rise to the top.

Don't lose the faith. It's very early days.

Attn: Mods, this is why we need a "Like" button on posts, I want to simply agree with this post but have nothing to add to it, would be handy to gauge opinion.

So for now: Stuie "Likes" this

Quick get this guy into the list management team, obviously knows more about the future careers of players than anyone else involved at MFC.

I understand you may not be excited by him as a player but to write him off at this stage just shows how seriously we should take your opinion...

It's my pet hate to see people paraphrase another post innacurately.

He didn't write him off, merely stated that he show little to suggest that he will be a star, at this stage he is correct.. It's his third season, he is fit and has done a pre-season. We will know a lot more about Jack Watts by the end of the season if he remains fit.

Slow of mind I should have clarified. He was always a step behind.

He was basically crap and a lot of supporters were [censored] that we wasted a first round pick on him.

Garland wasn't much better either. His debut season was awful. His first game embarrassing.

I think we saw yesterday with Tappy what a massive difference a mature body makes. He looked like a 100 game veteran because he had the body to compete. And it wasn't until Frawley became a beefcake and gained physical confidence that he became the gun that he is now.

It's always really hard to contain expectations when there is so much hype, but we just have to be patient. Watts is getting better each week, but it's going to be a slow rise to the top.

Don't lose the faith. It's very early days.

Spot on Jaded, has the body to compete, and has had for years in his age groups. He has the self belief, physically, that goes with that.

Watts will learn this of himself, as he grows and gets experience. Just like some of our Rucks are & have.

So is little Maric. And Bennell.

What i liked was his intensity was alot better than what i saw in the pre season and as i have said previously i suspect this is what the fd will want to see. I'll wager they will comment on his improved attack on the ball in the player wrap.

"Jack Watts: Jack had a solid game. He was good with some of his contested work and he laid three tackles, while he made five spoils when he was outnumbered." From the Mark Williams player assessment on the MFC website.

This is what they really want to see from Jack and he will be picked every week while he continues to do the nitty gritty stuff even if he is not kicking bags

Number 1 draft pick now in his 3rd year. It's time for Jack to man up.

Wonnabeeri - ""

Golly - ""

Steamin - ""

Teams

Melbourne

B: Clint Bartram, Jared Rivers, Joel Macdonald

HB: Jack Grimes, Colin Garland, Jamie Bennell

C: Nathan Jones, Brent Moloney, Luke Tapscott

HF: Rohan Bail, Colin Sylvia, Liam Jurrah

F: Jack Watts, Brad Green, Addam Maric

FOLL: Mark Jamar, Lynden Dunn, Aaron Davey

I/C (from): Neville Jetta, Stef Martin, Ricky Petterd, Jake Spencer, James Strauss, Jack Trengove, Matthew Warnock

New: Luke Tapscott (North Adelaide, SA)

So,um, Gate 1 at 1pm on game day right? Looks like I just became $300 richer!

You have to take the the bet and accept wonna. In saying that i dont think we will give our inside word on here anymore. Our source who has never been wrong was wrong this time. Next time we will keep it to ourselvrs

Slow of mind I should have clarified. He was always a step behind.

He was basically crap and a lot of supporters were [censored] that we wasted a first round pick on him.

Garland wasn't much better either. His debut season was awful. His first game embarrassing.

Yes fwits did.

I don't agree with Hannabal - Watts can still be a great player - as Bob says he's just not going to be the type of great player he hoped for.

It's my pet hate to see people paraphrase another post innacurately.

He didn't write him off, merely stated that he show little to suggest that he will be a star, at this stage he is correct.. It's his third season, he is fit and has done a pre-season. We will know a lot more about Jack Watts by the end of the season if he remains fit.

Inaccurate? Didn't write him off?

Here's a DIRECT quote: "I've seen enough to know that he'll never be a star of the competition"

Can't get much more direct than that, you were paraphrasing more than I was by saying he said "he had shown little to suggest he will be a star" when the word he used was "never".

It's the first game of his 3rd season, after his first real pre-season, oh and he's 19, give the guy a chance and stop digging holes for yourselves with ridiculous predictions.

I really can't see why he's playing seniors at the moment. To me he just doesn't do enough to warrant being selected. If his name wasn't jack watts he wouldn't be playing. Needs to dominate at lower levels.

Inaccurate? Didn't write him off?

Here's a DIRECT quote: "I've seen enough to know that he'll never be a star of the competition"

Can't get much more direct than that, you were paraphrasing more than I was by saying he said "he had shown little to suggest he will be a star" when the word he used was "never".

It's the first game of his 3rd season, after his first real pre-season, oh and he's 19, give the guy a chance and stop digging holes for yourselves with ridiculous predictions.

He said he wouldn't be a star, that's not writing him off, huge difference.

As for your third sentence you basically rehash what I put in my post.