Jack Watts

[Junior 46]

I think he will be one of the club's greatest players, when we dig ourselves out of this terrible form slump.

His natural talent is immense.

I agree he needs more intensity and hardness at the ball, but I'm confident he has a strong desire to be an elite footballer. You can see it in interviews. It will come with more development, experience, and a bit more size....it will also come once we win some bloody games.

Today he was good, until the last quarter. But I think that's just a fitness issue, combined with a need for more intensity. However that can be said for most of the 22 guys out there today, OK/good until the 4th. Then threw the towel in.

[Moonshadow 17,677]

If we put him on the trade table is there any chance we can package a deal with west coast to get Nik nat?

Not a chance WCE would let go of Nic Nat.

And I think Watts will develop significantly in time.

He is still very young... 21yo, I think.

Neeld,, Craig and Miss will put more meat on him and he will harden up in the next couple of years.

[mauriesy 7,357]

I'd play him in the backline where the pressure is for the rest of the year, and next season as well. It will teach him many facets of the game, and he can't hide down there.

[Hannibal 5,814]

He gives a considered attack where others give an adrenaline surge driven attack.

That's what the wider football community calls "soft".

It's not "going" when you should.

[thaipantsman 180]

Melbourne put him up for trade at seasons end or whenever r his contract is up.

He has no passion for the game or contest, looks like he is in slow motion no urgency as well as this he needs to be selfish and go for it, to many times goes for the team option when it is not needed.

Has shown nothing since being on our list,.

Why keep him for another two years hoping he will come good , trade him off while he may be worth something.

Otherwise we keep him till he even realises he hasn't got what it takes and is totally worthless.

Before every one starts sprouting rubbish that big guys take longer to develop is aloud of crap,we don't have time.

He seems like a nice guy and I hope he proves me wrong,but He won't.

Yes he will! I also hope it's for Melbourne but worried the way we are going it's looking more like Melbourne Kangaroos in Two years.(Perish the thought) Not sure what you have against Watts? The kids a star. Just playing in a team with no rudder or spine.

[DeeZee 7,445]

What a load of rubbish...was one of our best again today.

[Nasher 33,617]

That's what the wider football community calls "soft".

It's not "going" when you should.

The wider football community uses the wrong word then.

Lynden Dunn, especially circa-mo, making an art form of shitting his pants and flinching when in contests is what I'd call "soft". The infamous Bennell, Davey and Morton shirks were soft. Those boys were afraid. It might be a subtle difference, but that "not going" is different to Watts' style of "not going".

FWIW I agree that he sometimes doesn't go when he should, so this discussion is probably purely semantic.

[stranga 328]

Watts is innately soft and it's frustrating, but he will be on the list in two years because he is a number 1 pick with some positive attributes. He won't be anywhere near an elite player though because of the lack of desire and intensity.

[Flemo56 409]

Who know's for sure about JW, with real assuredness,(is that a word)? He will b, he won't b, I hope he will b, want him to b!

For me, he's not real inspiring, and I reckon he'd have probably been a much better basketballer, but he can certainly win me ova, he just lacks the toughness that, I, like in footballers. No to the trade table, at the moment, he has a to many upsides to sweep aside like some older players on our list.

[mdemonski2 403]

Was at game and I stll don't get the criticsm of watts.

He gets singled out for two instances. 1

. Not going for a mark - ridiculous as howe was flying so he tried to crumb it.

2. Robinson intercept - it was another up and under bail floater that robinson read and anticipated better, bai's kick was shocking.

Way over top all the slamming going on of watts. We got a lot more to worry about at the moment surely.

[Little Richard 6,265]

Was at game and I stll don't get the criticsm of watts.

He gets singled out for two instances. 1

. Not going for a mark - ridiculous as howe was flying so he tried to crumb it.

2. Robinson intercept - it was another up and under bail floater that robinson read and anticipated better, bai's kick was shocking.

Way over top all the slamming going on of watts. We got a lot more to worry about at the moment surely.

Yep, Watts was caught on the wrong foot with the Robinson one.

[Jaded No More 68,974]

The wider football community uses the wrong word then.

Lynden Dunn, especially circa-mo, making an art form of [censored] his pants and flinching when in contests is what I'd call "soft". The infamous Bennell, Davey and Morton shirks were soft. Those boys were afraid. It might be a subtle difference, but that "not going" is different to Watts' style of "not going".

FWIW I agree that he sometimes doesn't go when he should, so this discussion is probably purely semantic.

I agree.

He isn't soft in the sense of ducking out of contests.

He just lacks serious intensity. Sometimes I wonder if he's fallen into a coma on the field.

Then he does things like he did today, chasing the ball on the wing, looking back, seeing he is surrounded by crap, and deliberately taking it over the line. Carlton supporters around me were calling that soft, but it wasn't, it was being smart and knowing you're more likely to get a neutral contest by taking the ball over, then trying to thread the needle to a teammate.

It's annoying because he's so damn talented. He just needs a shot of tequila every once in a while.

[Parma 28]

Spend the next four weeks in the twos, not because he has been terrible, but to gain confidence in his size and ability. Then after the bye bring him back against the lower ranked teams and see how he goes.

[stuie 7,374]

Spend the next four weeks in the twos, not because he has been terrible, but to gain confidence in his size and ability. Then after the bye bring him back against the lower ranked teams and see how he goes.

Yeah great idea, put one of our best players from the last 2 weeks in the twos to "gain confidence"..... Silly thread, needs to die.

[Sir Why You Little 37,128]

Spend the next four weeks in the twos, not because he has been terrible, but to gain confidence in his size and ability. Then after the bye bring him back against the lower ranked teams and see how he goes.

Agree. Let him Dominate at Casey for a while.

[Guest José Mourinho]

I agree.

He isn't soft in the sense of ducking out of contests.

He just lacks serious intensity. Sometimes I wonder if he's fallen into a coma on the field.

Then he does things like he did today, chasing the ball on the wing, looking back, seeing he is surrounded by crap, and deliberately taking it over the line. Carlton supporters around me were calling that soft, but it wasn't, it was being smart and knowing you're more likely to get a neutral contest by taking the ball over, then trying to thread the needle to a teammate.

It's annoying because he's so damn talented. He just needs a shot of tequila every once in a while.

It's more like how he chooses to influence contests.

When Watts isn't in the thick of it, he often chooses to stay out and provide an option for his teammate to get it to.

Others in the same position would barge through and attempt to take the ball with them.

Neither is absolutely the right or wrong option.

But there is one that is decidedly more popular.

[bing181 9,328]

I understand he is a great user but he shirks it so many times a game we don't even mention it anymore. It's just expected.

How many times did he shirk it today? I want a number.

[stuie 7,374]

How many times did he shirk it today? I want a number.

2.

[stuie 7,374]

Agree. Let him Dominate at Casey for a while.

Come on WYL, you sometimes have more sense than that....

We drop out of form players, not players who have played 2 good games in a row.

Silly stuff in this thread.

[Hannibal 5,814]

The wider football community uses the wrong word then.

Lynden Dunn, especially circa-mo, making an art form of [censored] his pants and flinching when in contests is what I'd call "soft". The infamous Bennell, Davey and Morton shirks were soft. Those boys were afraid. It might be a subtle difference, but that "not going" is different to Watts' style of "not going".

FWIW I agree that he sometimes doesn't go when he should, so this discussion is probably purely semantic.

There are degrees of being soft. And we all know that Dunn is worse than Watts.

I'm staggered that you don't think Watts is soft. Truly staggered.

[Choko 493]

How many times did he shirk it today? I want a number.

2 clear ones. The Robinson one and a marking contest. I have to say, I know a few neutrals who were watching the game, who were absolutely appalled by Watts today.

[Little Richard 6,265]

2.

I would say he did the opposite quite a few more times. I agree he has moments but he has improved a great deal since we drafted him and he will get there. The impatience with Watts is beyond comprehension.

[stuie 7,374]

2 clear ones. The Robinson one and a marking contest. I have to say, I know a few neutrals who were watching the game, who were absolutely appalled by Watts today.

Really? People who don't follow MFC bagging Watts? Who would have thought....

[Guest José Mourinho]

2 clear ones. The Robinson one and a marking contest. I have to say, I know a few neutrals who were watching the game, who were absolutely appalled by Watts today.

Haha Neutrals?

I don't think there is such thing when it comes to Watts.

[stuie 7,374]

I would say he did the opposite quite a few more times. I agree he has moments but he has improved a great deal since we drafted him and he will get there. The impatience with Watts is beyond comprehension.

Exactly my point. If you just read 'Land you'd think he spent the day running away from Carlton players.

Truth is, there was one awkward marking contest, and one time where he probably should have gone but chose to stay off the pack, probably becasue Neeld had told players to stop all jumping against each other.

Get a grip Watts bashers