Jack Watts: Marked development

[Binmans PA 26,748]

I vowed that nothing less than a win today would provide me with any solace. However, I have managed to find a positive to get really excited about (outside of Howe's fantastic game). The progression of the unfairly, maligned, Jack Watts.

Already this season he's shown definite development and maturity. Remembering that he's had very little leadership to look toward in the forwardline. Still, he is slowly, but surely improving every week (not something you could say for the majority of our promising players - whose development seems to have been stifled by poor coaching and management).

It does help that he's bulked up over the pre-season (but still needs another 5kg) and increased his aerobic capacity. This has and will enable him to magnify his versatility. On that note, there's a lofty comparison I'd like to make.

There's a bit of Goddard in the way I can see him developing. He is a beautiful kick of the football. He can play anywhere on the ground and usually makes really good decisions. I'm at the stage of wanting the ball to be in his hands at almost every opportunity. He rarely misses targets and is able to pin-point lace out passes, over fifty metres on the run. He also kicks goals.

With added muscular power, Watts and Clark will be a formidable duo. Both tall, yet extremely agile. Get a Liam Jurrah next to them and another pacey small forward (the likes of Eddie Betts or Gartlett) at their feet, and all of a sudden you have an extremely dangerous forward combination. It's about the work rate down there though. If the likes of Petterd and Dunn are to get games, they must adhere to maintaining the all-important defensive mindset. Chasing, tackling and forcing the opposition to turn the ball over.

Jack still has a few things to work on, but he's showing marked improvement. Once he gains more strength, we can expect him to lay strong, uncompromising tackles as he did on a couple of occasions today. Enlarging his aerobic capacity will allow him to chase opponents down all day as well.

I thought Jack's progress was worth noting, particularly considering the way the media (and indeed our own supporters) have unjustly crucified him. We can expect nothing less than what he delivered today from now on. I for one believe we have someone special on our hands.

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,087]

yeah he was a big tick for me today - because he threw it all in. That's what we want - once he does that, goes for the contested footy and then gets used to winning it, your going to see a much better player.

Watts and Howe were good today. But we need more of it much more often.

[Guest José Mourinho]

Never in doubt.

Webjet.

[Binmans PA 26,748]

Never in doubt.

Webjet.

Agreed. It's frustrating when I read some of the rubbish written about him. It's only fair to read it back the other way as well.

[dazzledavey36 49,829]

did well today and him playing in the midfield is pumping some extra miles into the legs which will give him a great chance to be able to run all day when he does become our focal point up forward.

[Striker475 696]

He was good, is good and is getting better.

[Daz's Dee's 113]

I vowed that nothing less than a win today would provide me with any solace. However, I have managed to find a positive to get really excited about (outside of Howe's fantastic game). The progression of the unfairly, maligned, Jack Watts.

Already this season he's shown definite development and maturity. Remembering that he's had very little leadership to look toward in the forwardline. Still, he is slowly, but surely improving every week (not something you could say for the majority of our promising players - whose development seems to have been stifled by poor coaching and management).

It does help that he's bulked up over the pre-season (but still needs another 5kg) and increased his aerobic capacity. This has and will enable him to magnify his versatility. On that note, there's a lofty comparison I'd like to make.

There's a bit of Goddard in the way I can see him developing. He is a beautiful kick of the football. He can play anywhere on the ground and usually makes really good decisions. I'm at the stage of wanting the ball to be in his hands at almost every opportunity. He rarely misses targets and is able to pin-point lace out passes, over fifty metres on the run. He also kicks goals.

With added muscular power, Watts and Clark will be a formidable duo. Both tall, yet extremely agile. Get a Liam Jurrah next to them and another pacey small forward (the likes of Eddie Betts or Gartlett) at their feet, and all of a sudden you have an extremely dangerous forward combination. It's about the work rate down there though. If the likes of Petterd and Dunn are to get games, they must adhere to maintaining the all-important defensive mindset. Chasing, tackling and forcing the opposition to turn the ball over.

Jack still has a few things to work on, but he's showing marked improvement. Once he gains more strength, we can expect him to lay strong, uncompromising tackles as he did on a couple of occasions today. Enlarging his aerobic capacity will allow him to chase opponents down all day as well.

I thought Jack's progress was worth noting, particularly considering the way the media (and indeed our own supporters) have unjustly crucified him. We can expect nothing less than what he delivered today from now on. I for one believe we have someone special on our hands.

Good post. I have mentioned quite a few times in previous years he reminds me ALOT of Goddard, naturally as observers we compare players with past/current players they are appear most similar too. Goddard and watts have alot in common most notably there draft number and the huge amounts of critism both endured / are enduring early in their careers. Alot including myself thought Goddard was too soft and slow. I know the guy personally (know his sister/family really well) and followed his career as a junior he killed everyone he played on rediculously easy, was a great cricketer and basketballer could easily have played either at the top level also. Goddard is now one of the top level footballers going around with not many positions he can't play. I very much see watts the same type of player, I'm pretty sure he won't be the stay at home key forward more like half midfielder with a touch of half back and a pinch forward flank. He will be a very good player and if he were in a top 6 team now he would be talked about as the next great player.

[Guest José Mourinho]

Agreed. It's frustrating when I read some of the rubbish written about him. It's only fair to read it back the other way as well.

Actually, mind you, I think he'll be a lot better off for having Neeld as a coach, as opposed to Bailey.

I just get the impression the new coaching group are much better at pushing his buttons.

Maturity helps too.

Webjet!

[RalphiusMaximus 6,005]

Actually, mind you, I think he'll be a lot better off for having Neeld as a coach, as opposed to Bailey.

I just get the impression the new coaching group are much better at pushing his buttons.

Maturity helps too.

Not just pushing buttons, but not babying him. Bailey was far too soft on our kids and I think he really stalled their development.

[Chook 14,702]

Good post. I have mentioned quite a few times in previous years he reminds me ALOT of Goddard, naturally as observers we compare players with past/current players they are appear most similar too. Goddard and watts have alot in common most notably there draft number and the huge amounts of critism both endured / are enduring early in their careers. Alot including myself thought Goddard was too soft and slow. I know the guy personally (know his sister/family really well) and followed his career as a junior he killed everyone he played on rediculously easy, was a great cricketer and basketballer could easily have played either at the top level also. Goddard is now one of the top level footballers going around with not many positions he can't play. I very much see watts the same type of player, I'm pretty sure he won't be the stay at home key forward more like half midfielder with a touch of half back and a pinch forward flank. He will be a very good player and if he were in a top 6 team now he would be talked about as the next great player.

That makes me think even more that we should try our best to get Brendon Goddard to the club. We've seen what a great role Chris Judd is for Murphy and Gibbs at Carlton. Arguably our biggest potential star is Jack Watts, and if he's like Goddard, then we should give him some first-hand experience of how Goddard trains and what he does around the club and in games.

Edited April 14, 2012 by Chook

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Wasnt the worst today but does not impose himself on the game like he should. Didnt give him votes in the D'land.

Still needs to improve alot to get plaudits.

[Binmans PA 26,748]

I think he's on his way, Rhino. Clearly in our top 2 or 3 today.

There were a number of moments where he was quite physical. The times he didn't go hard enough were often those times when he was judging the game and estimating he'd be the outside mid. I'd back his footy brain to be honest. Not saying he had a brilliant game, but merely noting his continued improvement.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I think he's on his way, Rhino. Clearly in our top 2 or 3 today.

There were a number of moments where he was quite physical. The times he didn't go hard enough were often those times when he was judging the game and estimating he'd be the outside mid. I'd back his footy brain to be honest. Not saying he had a brilliant game, but merely noting his continued improvement.

Thats the problem Adam. You think he was in the best 2 or 3 and I think he is just going for a player of his capability and coming off a low base.

[Binmans PA 26,748]

Continued improvement, no matter the starting base is still nonetheless, improvement. If a player has a decent game, but is still not at the peak of his potential in terms of performance, that doesn't lessen his potential impact on a game.

[Guest José Mourinho]

Thats the problem Adam. You think he was in the best 2 or 3 and I think he is just going for a player of his capability and coming off a low base.

I'd say both points are correct.

Webjet.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

There's Morton. Then there's Watts. Neither was acceptable... But one was FAR worse than the other. I'd say only Howie did enough today. I am encouraged by how Jones is going, and Davey having a dip... but they still didn't get it enough.

One player. Unbelievable.

At least the Bulldogs will cop it instead of us this week. Until next weekend.

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,087]

I think he tried to impose himself on the game - I saw him many times dive into a pack of players for the footy and that impressed me. It didnt always pay off and on one occasion he had posession, wore a bump and then kept going but then poor decision making caused a turn over. But his confidence will be much better for performances where he gives his all and tries to impose himself when it eventually pays off.

[Forest Demon 4,681]

I think he has been correctly criticised for his attack on the contested situations, and yesterday was a definite improvement.

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

I've always had faith in Watts...even got the #4 on the back of my guernsey 2 years ago. He's looked pretty good so far this season, but there is still plenty of room for improvement. I can't wait to see him tear a game apart, be it with 30+ possessions, or 6+ goals. I think it's only a matter of time.

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,087]

I honestly think with less focus on him and more on Clark, Green and Davey he might just blossom.

[P-man 13,353]

Good thread. He was definitely one of the positives to emerge from yesterday.

[Jaded No More 60,181]

One of the few highlights of 2012.

Loving him and his actual kicking ability in the middle. Smart, composed and full of class.

He and Howe are a breath of fresh air on the wing.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Bailey was far too soft on our kids and I think he really stalled their development.

How so???

He played them at every occassion. Given our senior group there is no place for babying at all. This is one of our problems.

I honestly think with less focus on him and more on Clark, Green and Davey he might just blossom.

After this weekend there is going to be less focus on Green and Davey going forward.

[Binmans PA 26,748]

I think he tried to impose himself on the game - I saw him many times dive into a pack of players for the footy and that impressed me. It didnt always pay off and on one occasion he had posession, wore a bump and then kept going but then poor decision making caused a turn over.

Disagree with this. You're clearly referring to the time he rode the bump, slickly dished off to Davey, who then had time to dish off, but decided to take a further five paces to get on his left foot. This resulted in him being tackled. Not Jack's fault. Aaron should have dished straight away.

Edited April 15, 2012 by AdamFarr

[Binmans PA 26,748]

I honestly think with less focus on him and more on Clark, Green and Davey he might just blossom.

Yeah, I'd certainly agree with that.