The Jack Watts Dossier

[Range Rover 1,935]

I'd just like to see him play one good game. Take some solid grabs inside 50. Kick 3 or 4 and give a couple off. Kick a ripping goal on the run.

Is that too much to ask from a third year number 1 draft pick?

Maybe it is.

[Demonic Ascent 0]

In 50 years of watching footy I have never seen anybody else get into space but be ignored so many times.

This is something I've noticed also. It's not just been the last one or two games, this was consistently happening all last year. I don't see why his strength (or lack thereof) in a marking contest would be an issue if he has metres on his opponent. The only thing that makes any sense is that he has got on the wrong side of a few players for whatever reason. This could be his attitude, his perceived favoured treatment from the coaches, the media spotlight, his failure to take a game apart??? I'm not saying that this is the case (and if it were in a professional sports club that would be a disgrace and indictment on the players) but I can't think of what else it could be other than he is running to the wrong spaces.

[wonnabeeri 221]

I cant wait to come back to these threads in 3 years when the haters will look like bloody idiots.

[Jaded No More 58,489]

I get that we are all very frustrated, what with Bruce, McLean, Robbo etc... all gone and therefore nobody to pick on in our hour of need, but can we seriously just move on?

Let the footy department develop him the way they see fit and just shut the hell up about him already.

If he is a dud, no amount of crapping on will change that.

Surely we have better things to talk about than this game of "Watts tennis" where one person says he is developing nicely and another person retaliates by saying he is a joke and should be sent back to Casey. YAWN!

[rpfc 27,570]

I'd just like to see him play one good game. Take some solid grabs inside 50. Kick 3 or 4 and give a couple off. Kick a ripping goal on the run.

Is that too much to ask from a third year number 1 draft pick?

Maybe it is.

I would argue that you have seen all that.

Just not in one game.

The Freo game was great over there, too bad he missed those goals. Although Dunn's were worse, Jack's were remembered.

[e25 5]

I'd just like to see him play one good game. Take some solid grabs inside 50. Kick 3 or 4 and give a couple off. Kick a ripping goal on the run.

Is that too much to ask from a third year number 1 draft pick?

Maybe it is.

When it's a just-turned-20 KPF, yeah, it is.

The pick he was taken at is irrelevant.

He's underdeveloped physically aswell as inexperienced and being delivered the footy by a midfield that largely has the same issues & is terribly inconsistent.

A lot of stars need to align for you to get your wish.

You're asking him to play a game like a physically developed 23-year-old.

Is it any wonder he hasn't done that yet?

[Range Rover 1,935]

When it's a just-turned-20 KPF, yeah, it is.

The pick he was taken at is irrelevant.

He's underdeveloped physically aswell as inexperienced and being delivered the footy by a midfield that largely has the same issues & is terribly inconsistent.

A lot of stars need to align for you to get your wish.

You're asking him to play a game like a physically developed 23-year-old.

Is it any wonder he hasn't done that yet?

How do you feel his development is coming along then? You're happy with what you are seeing?

[Mazer Rackham 14,970]

I reckon it's a mind game with Jack right now.

My guess is he doesn't feel like he "belongs" at AFL level yet.

One day, he will do a few good things, and a few more good things, and suddenly, he will realise "hey, I can do this!".

That's when his career will really begin.

Club has to persevere until that day rolls around. Might be next week, might be next year.

[Guest Gotzy15]

This is going to be my last post on the issue. I want to pose a question to everyone on here and the answer is a yes or no..

We all remember that game against the pies on the Queens birthday in 09 when jack made his debut and through not necessarily any fault of his own looked like a fish out of water. He was clearly not ready for afl footy let alone a big game against a top side in front of a big crowd. We cant deny it was absolutely excruciating to watch. So the question is was watching him yesterday nearly 2 years on from his debut any just as excruciating for you than that day back in 09????

[Roost It 1,434]

This is going to be my last post on the issue. I want to pose a question to everyone on here and the answer is a yes or no..

We all remember that game against the pies on the Queens birthday in 09 when jack made his debut and through not necessarily any fault of his own looked like a fish out of water. He was clearly not ready for afl footy let alone a big game against a top side in front of a big crowd. We cant deny it was absolutely excruciating to watch. So the question is was watching him yesterday nearly 2 years on from his debut any just as excruciating for you than that day back in 09????

Good

[e25 5]

How do you feel his development is coming along then? You're happy with what you are seeing?

It's not so much about liking what I am seeing; it's more understanding why I am seeing, what I am seeing.

I'd like to see him play like Riewoldt every week, but I understand Jack has a lot of work to do, and I may not see a game like you are asking for today.

He has the tools to one day do it, but he needs... time.

[dee-luded 2,958]

Goddard played in 2003 while doing year 12 (same as Watts first season). Second year he played a number of good games including round 22 when he received three Brownlow votes for best on ground.

All comparable players that I can think of that went on to become very good players received Brownlow votes in their first two years (N Riewoldt - 11 in season 2, J Riewoldt 1 in season 2, Franklin 1 in first season, two in second, M Richardson first season 2 votes, Travis Cloke 1 in second season, James Hird 6 in second season, David Schwarz second year 6 votes)

I know the brownlow is an umpire's award and not always the way to judge the best player, but it can rarely be argued that a player who receives votes was not in the best half dozen on the day, something that Watts has not been yet.

I'm not saying that Watts will not be a very good player, I'm saying that his development has been slower than any other comparable player that I can think of.

I remember the St-kilda supporters that I know, were Whinging about Goddard, for three years after being drafted.

But, thats just Saint supporters, they whinge a little more than ours.

[dee-luded 2,958]

I get that we are all very frustrated, what with Bruce, McLean, Robbo etc... all gone and therefore nobody to pick on in our hour of need, but can we seriously just move on?

Let the footy department develop him the way they see fit and just shut the hell up about him already.

If he is a dud, no amount of crapping on will change that.

Surely we have better things to talk about than this game of "Watts tennis" where one person says he is developing nicely and another person retaliates by saying he is a joke and should be sent back to Casey. YAWN!

Could this Jack in the Box, have a floppy spring???

I,,,, don't,,, think so,,,,,.... Ummhh, we'll have to wait to see this week,,, I guess???

Surely, this Jack won't flop!

[Felix 92]

Watts looks to be an athlete who is not a footballer. 6 touches is not enough in three quarters of football. It says that he is not running to the right positions, he is not reading the play, and he is having no impact on the game.

yeah he doesnt run in the right place... I remember a bit of play from Sundays game where (I forget who) delivered the ball into the 50, now he had a option of either Watts on his own or Jurrah with 3 opponents... It went to Jurrah and no scoring shot resulted.

There have been many occasions where the teammates have either ignored him or just muffed it up, like Davey handballing it to his feet..

Watts needs his teammates to have the confidence to deliver it to him, the more it gets pumped into him the more confidence he will get. I think this Sundays game against the Suns should be every ball into the 50 should go to Watts. Wonna , Jamie & Davey can pick up the scraps. (yep I want Davey in the fwd line)..

[Mono 454]

I posted this in another thread.

Could it be the rest of the team don't "trust" Watts. Garry Lyon wrote an article about AFL/VFL reserves sides and discussed the Filth, who had ready made back-half replacements that included Simon Buckley, and that the team "trusted them". Don't know how you go about getting "trust" except to really earn your spot. Maybe Watts needs a decent stint at Casey to earn respect. Just a thought. Throw away one liners in the press suggest Watts has little respect outside the MFC.

Still relevent. I have added the emphasis to the last sentence just now.

[rpfc 27,570]

I wouldn't kick it to a 20 year old CHF over Jurrah.

Just sayin'...

I said this before...

It is hard enough being a 20 year old CHF in the AFL without having to put up with our midfield providing low quantity, low quality delivery.

[Samsara 65]

Hope he has a ripper game soon so we can all be backing him.

[Dreamin' Demon 10]

There have been many occasions where the teammates have either ignored him....

I've noticed this quite a few times & not only on Sunday. I see him in space on his own many times waving his hands & yet the other players either don't see him OR refuse to pass to him. Other teams don't even bother manning up to him!!!

I know Jurrah is the preferred option target up forward, but I'd prefer to pass to a solo Jack than a triple teamed Jurrah.

[Samsara 65]

There is a serious problem from within the team if they are ignoring a player.

[Guest Rojik of the Arctic]

There is a serious problem from within the team if they are ignoring a player.

I hope not because it means they think he's a [censored] or useless, and he's not the second from what I've seen. Here is hoping it's just the rub rather than a Brad Hardie thing.

[Real Talk 6]

Well said Ted Fidge.

Combined with the "explosive pace" that will return after a few pre-seasons (reference Barry P), he'll be firing on all cylinders in 2013-14.

I reckon it's a mind game with Jack right now.

My guess is he doesn't feel like he "belongs" at AFL level yet.

One day, he will do a few good things, and a few more good things, and suddenly, he will realise "hey, I can do this!".

That's when his career will really begin.

Club has to persevere until that day rolls around. Might be next week, might be next year.

[Roost It 1,434]

Bailey should demand the ball gets kicked to him for the next month

[drdrake 3,045]

Imagine you play for the MFC, you are running down the wing and you look up and see Jack Watts and Liam Jurrah, Jack is on a good lead if you hit him he will be 40m out. Then the other option is Jurrah 25m out from goal standing still, which option would you take?

Turning ther footy over 25m out is less risk and I think that is the issue, we are not playing well players are not taking the right option because they are fearful of turning the footy over and getting hurt on the rebound. As we start playing better and I hope it is from this week our confidence grows and you will find we will start taking the best option, and not think about turning the footy over.

[jackaub 1,402]

I reckon it's a mind game with Jack right now.

My guess is he doesn't feel like he "belongs" at AFL level yet.

One day, he will do a few good things, and a few more good things, and suddenly, he will realise "hey, I can do this!".

That's when his career will really begin.

Club has to persevere until that day rolls around. Might be next week, might be next year.

On that basis maybe never!

[jnrmac 19,128]

Where do these people keep coming from?

I thought MFC supporters in general were smarter than this, but demonland unfortunately provides me with evidence to the contrary...

Trolls....