Jack Watts

[Rob Mac...... 638]

And is that physicality going to happen ? What if it doesn't ? We all want it to happen but maybe we have to start accepting Jack for who he is - A highly skilled athlete who is best suited as a Utilty / Rebounding backman / Pinch hitting forward . Not a CHF , not yet anyway . Sellar or Martin could be our best bets at CHF . Rotating these 2 with Watts in a pinch hitting role at CHF may be the best case scenario . My opinion on Jack is not based on last nights game , though I didn't see anything different from the last 3 years . Cheers

Spot on Macca. I've been thinking this for months. Who cares that he was recruited to be CHF? He's got speed, skill, some intelligence, can pick it up from the ground & handball away quickly, lets use that & have Watts @ HFF, wing, a little CHF or loose defender & use MARTIN or Sellar @ CHF, or Clark @ CHF when Jamar rests @ FF.

[sydneydee 687]

I am a massive Watts fan and agree that last night he was not at his best.

He may never be the a crash and bash CHF however with Clark & Martin/Sellar/T Mac taking the two biggest defenders, Watts should be able to dominate a few games this season. With better disposal into the F50, Watts will be able to use his pace to be our leading target and play to his strengths. Watts will have a massive year!

[jumbo returns 6,741]

You mean the elephant in the room when NicNat had a great start to last season and Watts didn't or the elephant in the room that disappeared when Watts started putting good games together in middle part of the season and NicNat went quiet or the elephant that returned when Watts season tapered off and NicNat had a few good games at the end.

Hmmm...better not mention elephants - they can be fickle

NB, of course, you have a valid point. But, I believe that EVERY Dees supporter wants this player to grab a game by the throat and assert his obvious talent. Everyone talks about consistency....I want presence! Real hard gut wrenching running, big tackle, big mark more often. The boy can do it, we've seen it.

[Arrow 1,257]

This is ridiculous/funny for what some people are saying. We've seen this exact situation in the cricket this summer and I don't know why it always happens to the stars of the game but who's to know.

Perfect example is Ricky Ponting couldn't buy a run in a meaningless test series against NZ everyone writes him off as dead but as soon as he comes good when we really need him he is everyone's best mate. It was Jacks first run and not every horse likes being first up after a spell, so give him 4 or 5 weeks and I bet all of you will be back explaining how you'd never written him off. Seriously get a grip and wait till a game that means half of a piece of .

[jumbo returns 6,741]

This is ridiculous/funny for what some people are saying. We've seen this exact situation in the cricket this summer and I don't know why it always happens to the stars of the game but who's to know.

Perfect example is Ricky Ponting couldn't buy a run in a meaningless test series against NZ everyone writes him off as dead but as soon as he comes good when we really need him he is everyone's best mate. It was Jacks first run and not every horse likes being first up after a spell, so give him 4 or 5 weeks and I bet all of you will be back explaining how you'd never written him off. Seriously get a grip and wait till a game that means half of a piece of .

Who's written him off? I'm just saying that (in extremely) difficult conditions, that I acknowledge, I wanted him to do more......methinks you jumpeth the gun.

[cowboy_from_hell 2,390]

i am a massive fan of watts too my thoughts are that he does all the secondary things we could hope for. his chasing and tackling with his endurance and speed have always been there but his main role and what we all want to see is lead/mark/goal it does take time but it did annoy the hell out of me that under bailey he was always on the wing or loose man back and last night once clark was subbed off i hoped watts would have be one out in the square and not stef martin. I know its one game but when will watts be given the chance to show us how far he has come? I hope to see it against the filth.

[Arrow 1,257]

Who's written him off? I'm just saying that (in extremely) difficult conditions, that I acknowledge, I wanted him to do more......methinks you jumpeth the gun.

Jumbo certainly wasn't aimed at you more the generalization that after one NAB Cup game he's soft and won't be anything more than a Utility type player.

I'm not impressed by his game last night but there was probably 4-6 players who could hold their head up truly high and after what we saw at the middle of last year just find it funny that we're back on the Natanui talk in February

[jumbo returns 6,741]

Jumbo certainly wasn't aimed at you more the generalization that after one NAB Cup game he's soft and won't be anything more than a Utility type player.

I'm not impressed by his game last night but there was probably 4-6 players who could hold their head up truly high and after what we saw at the middle of last year just find it funny that we're back on the Natanui talk in February

No problem DL7 - we're talking footy and it's all good. I soorrttaa started the NitNat thing by bringing elephants into the discussion, but I really, really want Jack to do well, but as Cowboy said, it would have been nice to have him as our focal, rather than Stef.....

[Arrow 1,257]

No problem DL7 - we're talking footy and it's all good. I soorrttaa started the NitNat thing by bringing elephants into the discussion, but I really, really want Jack to do well, but as Cowboy said, it would have been nice to have him as our focal, rather than Stef.....

Haha thats exactly the thing we all desperately want Jack to do well. It was such a refreshing feeling shoving it up all those doubters midway through the year, I just hope he can back to that sort of form!

Sorry again, certainly wasn't a personal attack on my behalf.

[FarNorthernD 5,861]

He copped bit of a serve "On the Couch" tonight.

They suggested 3 touches on the weekend wasn't good enough even allowing for the conditions. Consensus was that a backline role for him where he has to mind a forward and use his 'brain power and skills' would be best.

He did not play well but still believe that his best position will be as a forward.

Also think that he will prove to be a big game player and that he and Jurrah will form a great combination. But then maybe I just want this to be the case.

[mordja 187]

Jack didn't dominate in 2 v.wet games that went for about 5 minutes. I know I was livid......

nothing to see here, moving on.

[BIG JIM 508]

On the couch can worry about there show and will be the judge of were watts is best and that is forward. Cant belive some think he is a backman after playing for 2 mins in a fish bowl

[Samsara 65]

Yeah, he was largely MIA but I am still confident we will see a big year from Jack.

[Guest Thomo]

I'd like to see Watts spend more time in the midfield. He reminds me of Hird, and may add the class that Melbourne lack in the middle. A great midfielder is as valuable as a great forward.

[Bossdog 2,002]

David Neitz was a tall skinny kid before he bulked up and became a man with a build to match his skills. Jack is still only 20 and has a lot of time on his side. You cannot put on bulk whilst you are still growing.

[Hannibal 5,814]

David Neitz was a tall skinny kid before he bulked up and became a man with a build to match his skills. Jack is still only 20 and has a lot of time on his side. You cannot put on bulk whilst you are still growing.

A tall skinny 20 year old Neitz was also far more courageous in marking contests than Watts and made the AA team in his third year.

Look, I rate Watts too and we all want nothing more than for him to at least become a very good key forward, but right now he's a long way off a number 1 draft pick. That's not to say that he won't have a great year and prove many of his critics wrong. Clearly he's a development player with an abundance of talent. I do question whether he'll ever be the key forward we envisaged. A midfield or tall flanker role may end up where he's best value. I hope not, as star key forwards are worth their weight in gold and he'll never be a midfield "great".

As I said, we all want him to succeed, but supporters need to stop being so precious whenever he cops any criticism. In the main they're valid. If I wanted to devote much of my time coming up with excuses for him I could. It's not hard and we all know them. There comes a time where he needs to show aggression, urgency, and physicality. From what I've seen to date he's a long way off fulfilling his natural talent.

Cue - more excuses, or inane "Jack Watts bashing" comments.

[Roost It 1,434]

yeh a 197 cm midfieldar weighing 100kilo's........I think not........

[Guest Thomo]

yeh a 197 cm midfieldar weighing 100kilo's........I think not........

Goodes - 194cm 99kgs

[nutbean 8,838]

I will make three comments - 20 years old and developing .

Did I see strides taken during last season in his development ? yes ......

Having said that - I expect more development this year or criticism is justified.

[Rob Mac...... 638]

Roost It, on 27 February 2012 - 10:12 PM, said:

yeh a 197 cm midfieldar weighing 100kilo's........I think not........

Goodes - 194cm 99kgs

Watts is 196cm 89kgs, very fast, skillfull, can pick a ball up quickly, He'll be fine in midfield, HFF or defence. He doesn't seem heavy enough to be a key position player, which isn't his fault.

[Jordie_tackles 354]

A tall skinny 20 year old Neitz was also far more courageous in marking contests than Watts and made the AA team in his third year.

Look, I rate Watts too and we all want nothing more than for him to at least become a very good key forward, but right now he's a long way off a number 1 draft pick. That's not to say that he won't have a great year and prove many of his critics wrong. Clearly he's a development player with an abundance of talent. I do question whether he'll ever be the key forward we envisaged. A midfield or tall flanker role may end up where he's best value. I hope not, as star key forwards are worth their weight in gold and he'll never be a midfield "great".

As I said, we all want him to succeed, but supporters need to stop being so precious whenever he cops any criticism. In the main they're valid. If I wanted to devote much of my time coming up with excuses for him I could. It's not hard and we all know them. There comes a time where he needs to show aggression, urgency, and physicality. From what I've seen to date he's a long way off fulfilling his natural talent.

Cue - more excuses, or inane "Jack Watts bashing" comments.

He deserves all the criticism he gets over the weekend, 3 touches is nothing.

I wouldnt say he is that far off what he should be, he has shown us where he is heading with a number of his performances last year.

Still wouldnt take Nat or Hurley ahead of him, honest truth.

[Flemo56 396]

Mmmmm, maybe a few games at CHB, practise game this weekend & next, get him right in the mix, something different, yes heard it on On The Couch too, and thought it had some merit 4 Jacks growth as a footballer.

[Lord Travis 10,727]

Leave him up forward to continue developing. He's going along just fine, and should continue to improve further this year.

[jnrmac 20,058]

A tall skinny 20 year old Neitz was also far more courageous in marking contests than Watts and made the AA team in his third year.

Earth to Demonland. He is not David Neitz, he is not Wayne Carey he is not Dermott Brereton , he is not Nick Reiwoldt....

...he is Jack Watts.

And he is doing fine, Have patience.

[Hannibal 5,814]

Earth to Demonland. He is not David Neitz, he is not Wayne Carey he is not Dermott Brereton , he is not Nick Reiwoldt....

...he is Jack Watts.

And he is doing fine, Have patience.

And right now he's as useless as [censored] on a bull.

No-one denies his talent. It's his application that is the concern.

Edited March 3, 2012 by Ben-Hur