The 2008 # 1 draft pick stepped up again in 2011 as he grew in confidence and strength, securing his first top ten best and fairest finish with the club.

In what was still a development year for the youngster, Watts played every game and was tried in various roles around the ground and this should hold him in good stead for the future.

With another pre season behind him, he will bulk up further and continue to make rapid progress towards becoming an elite AFL key position player.

Games MFC 2011 22 MFC Total 40 Goals MFC 2011 21 MFC Total 34

MFC Marks 124 (1st), Contested Marks 26 (2nd)

Club Champion 145 votes (9th).

Absolutely love this kid. Jack Watts will become at least equal if not better then Nick Riewoldt.

Very good year for Watts after a slow start. Earnt first Brownlow votes as well this year

Was really good for about 3 months.

I think he will be special.

He has always had the footy IQ, and the workrate has been there since 2009, now he has the hunger for the contest and confidence in his size and ability.

I'm going to enjoy his career.

Will be a top 10 AFL player by 2015 maybe even earlier. We'll all enjoy watching his progression.

I think he'll surprise some with just how aggressive and competitive at the contest he will be once those limbs and shoulders fill out.

We are on a good ride with this kid, he's going to be a deadset beauty. I absolutely love it when he gets his angry face on and just make stuff happen. Bit more size, a bit more confidence and a bit more experience he is going to tear games apart! Enjoy the ride

I really hope that Jack had a good long look, and looks again and again, at just what the very widely and much maligned Tom Hawkins acheived yesterday --- stood up and did the job exactly when needed most.

Our Jack IMO is more talented than TH, but is a few years behind in his development (just to remind the constant knockers who keep harping that Jack hasn't taken a game apart yet, just as TH hadn't until the big one yesterday).

Edited October 2, 201113 yr by monoccular

Still developing but certainly had a breakout year. It started with the West Coast game in Perth earlier in the year where he showed what he can do and has taken a lot of big marks this season. Had a very good season, was brilliant in the losses to Carlton and Collingwood, carried us in that 3rd quarter vs Richmond when we won, and generally just stood out the way weve wanted to all season. One of the few that actually turned up after round 19 as well. I couldnt be more pleased for him with the way the season went, I remember the Carlton game at the end of the year it was a case of either having him dominate up forward but we had no one to help the defence, or play him in defence and have no one to kick the ball to up forward, and with other players lifting around him, he can become an amazing player. One big tall to play with him and utilise his skills because he is a special player and will be for a long time

Fitness gurus on SEN yesterday said it takes 3 years for the young blokes to get up to AFL fitness. Next

year should be our boys time to blossom. Can't wait.

Next year should be the big one for JW, both figureatively and literally. He was already becoming a threat, but with some extra muscle on him the big forward things he tries (pushing players out of a contest etc) will really come off.

Exciting times ahead.

Jack started the year slowly, blossomed mid-season and tapered off a bit towards the end (I suspect, as a heavy workload started to take its toll on his immature body). Apart from his footy smarts and silky skills (which we have known about for a while), the 2011 highlights for me were his gut running, some strong pack marking and early signs that he might be adding a bit of mongrel to his repetoire. Jack is really starting to show why he was selected at #1. If he has the will to do it, I reckon he can become one of the stars of the competition in 2 or 3 years. The next steps are a bigger, stronger body to assist him in marking contests, increased consistency and 40 odd goals a season.

Not exactly a break out year from Jack, but showed that he can play. I am expecting big things from him next year. Has shown he can be consistent, has shown he can take a mark and use the ball well. Did tire towards the end of the year, but hopefully he has learnt enough about how hard he needs to work to be up there with the best; he really did seem to wake up a bit.

I think the people who watched Jack at Casey in his first couple of years saw just how competitive he can get. It got a little lost at AFL level when he was being monstered by the big fullbacks, but he is a player who really wants the ball and can take guys on. The week before his debut for Melbourne he showed something special, in particular taking a contested mark against two opponents thorugh body work and strength and then playing on, stepping around a third and slotting the goal. Since then it's all been about getting his strength and fitness up to the level where he can attempt the same at senior level. By the looks of things he's getting up there, so I hope to see him bringing that same attacking attitude out in the coming season and really showing what he's capable of.

I can't wait to see all the Watts doubters eat their words.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Jack in 2012, with several quality forwards around him. I'm expecting continued steady progression, and a stellar game here and there.

On the apparent youth philosophy of the leadership selection criteria I would have had him in the leadership team. Would have created a better balance across the team

Backs: Frawley, Garland, Bartram*, Grimes*. (4)

Mids:Trengove, Jones, Jamar (3)

Forwards: Clark. (1)

* Bartram and Grimes could shuffle the Backs and mids quota to 3-4 or even 2-5

I see leadership potential in the third Jack

The coaches may feel he just needs to focus on improving his own game before being in the leadership group.

He can still be a leader even if he doesn't have the title.

The goal on 3QT against Richmond demonstrates Jacks desire for the ball and to win, ripped it out of the pack, thats what we need more of.

Does anyone else hate the term "break out game" or "break out year"?

Can't one be consistent? Does one have to kick 4 in a final to beat Carlton in an amazing come-from-behind win to cap a stellar rookie season?

Because what happens once a player does that? Do they go on to deliver on that promise? Do they become the star that the fans have been literally crying out for?

Evidence says no.

Fair call rp.

However, I'm definitely looking forward to watching a progressive Jack Watts (no longer a "kid" in my eyes) in a much more progressive and dynamic forward line in 2012.

Geez I'm looking forward to the next few seasons. - - - > But I don't want them to go too quickly, if you know what I mean.

Fair call rp.

However, I'm definitely looking forward to watching a progressive Jack Watts (no longer a "kid" in my eyes) in a much more progressive and dynamic forward line in 2012.

Geez I'm looking forward to the next few seasons. - - - > But I don't want them to go too quickly, if you know what I mean.

Neither do I H_T they are running out too fast.

Do not wish your life away.

enjoy 2012 no matter what the MFC dishes up.

Absolutely, old dee.

Does anyone else hate the term "break out game" or "break out year"?

Woohoo. One of my pet hates is "break out game".

Watts was good last year and will be better this year. In three years he'll be elite because there isn't anything he can't do.

I like the idea of playing him on the wing for one season this year while he is still quite trim and agile. Stef Martin at CHF. He would be such a tough matchup on the wing. Speed to burn, great reader of the play, excellent field kicking, good target for kick-ins and can drift forward and kick a handful of goals. It would be an ace up our sleeve and he would get plenty of the footy. I think this is the last season you would want him playing anything other than CHF.

What are your thoughts?

The only problem with the above is that Stef will never make a CHF.