Jack Watts

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,166]

I posted this in the "Watts better than Hurley" thread but may as well copy it to her as well.

I could not care whether Watts ends up better than Nik Nat or Hurley. I also could not care whether he ends up a 100 goal full forward. I just want the kid to do the most with his god given attributes in the position that best suits him. I think we're starting to see where that could be. A very Goddard-esque game last night.

[Guest José Mourinho]

I have stated before he has always been impressive and needs to develop BUT

I do not want to see his potential wasted by having his natural abilities lost as he goes defensive

I think he is a better player than to allow this to happen But again I certainly saw this happen to Green and Bruce who were out and out strikers who turned into grunters.

Please Please release him to the attacking tasks he has shown he has the abilities for.

Althougn I am sure he will be one of the most plased with the win and happy to play anywhere coz hes good enough to do anything Except crash and bash all night. Incidently I dont think we need to many of those as Mitch was superb again although dont think he would have many stats.

You realise the attacking moves begin from the backline?

I think he actually has greatest value in this QB / PG role.

As mentioned in the "other" thread by someone, Watts played basketball as a quite accomplished PG, and could see the whole court and play developing infront of him, not behind him, and made attacking moves from there.

I think this is where he will be most comfortable and play his best football. For his entire career.

[dpositive 1,665]

You realise the attacking moves begin from the backline?

I think he actually has greatest value in this QB / PG role.

As mentioned in the "other" thread by someone, Watts played basketball as a quite accomplished PG, and could see the whole court and play developing infront of him, not behind him, and made attacking moves from there.

I think this is where he will be most comfortable and play his best football. For his entire career.

Thats why I made the comment "attacking tasks"

BUT defence is also defence not attack and the point I make is that I would hate to see the attacking nature ground out of him by the assumption of a full time defensive role.

I have always said that Watts needed development and can improve

last night there were many times when our player took a mark or possesion of the ball and missed a chance to play forward to a spreading( god I hate that term) player. I remember jack in other games wheeling round to pin point an attacking pass from the wing

As CHF he can run forward receive turn and pin point a leading Clarke who runs into the space Watts has left or he can send it deep to a leaper Howe or resting ruck type. He is one of the few who can do this and it doesnt have to taught.

If Sellar can maintain his defensive form of last night we do not need extra defenders or even attacking defenders in the back half of the ground we will still need some attacking players.

Happy to discuss coz it certainly aint simple and I am certainly no coach but its great to be able to make some analysis from a winning perspective.

A mate of mine goes to every match has done for years missed last night coz of his increasing frustration and clashing personal celebration. He said hes happy to stay away if thats what it takes to keep winning. Cant see him missing the QB match as he always has a few pies friends for lunch at the club I think he will go with newfound enthusiasm

GO DEES

[H_T 3,043]

Impressive again today. 24 disposals across half back. 7 marks. Reads the play beautifully.

I say leave him there and let him build up confidence as a league player.

Absolutely. Been keen on him to fulfill this role for some time in order to gain confidence. I'm pleased that Neeld has seen the light in this regard. Leave him there for the rest of this year I say.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,046]

Anyone see that Jack was named in theHS team of the round? Watts in the backline anc Col Garland as a forward. Good job to the both.

[binman 42,896]

Anyone see that Jack was named in theHS team of the round? Watts in the backline anc Col Garland as a forward. Good job to the both.

Lets trade him now while he has some currency!

reason for edit: to clarify this is a joke

Edited June 7, 2012 by binman

[Hannibal 5,814]

Jeremy Cameron is an undersized tall in his first year in the AFL and I would trade Watts for him in a nano second. That boy has heart, courage, desire and can play.

I posted this in April and haven't changed my mind. Cameron will become an absolute star of the game. He'll be an AFL Hall of Fame player in 20 years.

What I like about Cameron, other than his undoubted talent, is his courage. He's 196cms and only 89 kilos, but he competes aerially as though his life depends on it. In my opinion competing fiercely in the air takes the most courage in football. Even though Cameron is still skinny and raw boned he's as fierce in an aerial contest as anybody. I also greatly admire Jeremy Howe's courage and capacity to put his body on the line in marking contests. Mitch Clark and Jack Riewoldt are the same. It really does take tremendous courage. Cameron is the complete package. He has time, skill, Peter Hudson type X factor, and flies for marks across packs as though he's the incarnate of Royce Hart.

I'll refrain from discussing Watts' ability in this regard, but it's the main reason he'll never be more than a decent player. He's light years away from Cameron. It's the ability to fiercely compete. Some players have it naturally and some spend years trying to develop it.

Cameron will be the best player in the game within 5 years.

[Little Richard 6,262]

I posted this in April and haven't changed my mind. Cameron will become an absolute star of the game. He'll be an AFL Hall of Fame player in 20 years.

What I like about Cameron, other than his undoubted talent, is his courage. He's 196cms and only 89 kilos, but he competes aerially as though his life depends on it. In my opinion competing fiercely in the air takes the most courage in football. Even though Cameron is still skinny and raw boned he's as fierce in an aerial contest as anybody. I also greatly admire Jeremy Howe's courage and capacity to put his body on the line in marking contests. Mitch Clark and Jack Riewoldt are the same. It really does take tremendous courage. Cameron is the complete package. He has time, skill, Peter Hudson type X factor, and flies for marks across packs as though he's the incarnate of Royce Hart.

I'll refrain from discussing Watts' ability in this regard, but it's the main reason he'll never be more than a decent player. He's light years away from Cameron. It's the ability to fiercely compete. Some players have it naturally and some spend years trying to develop it.

Cameron will be the best player in the game within 5 years.

I think it has been established that Watts won't become this type of player. On the other hand, does Cameron have Watts' elite disposal and composure? I don't think so.

Watts is settling into the half back role very well, and I think he will thrive here for a while yet. Too late for comparisons, although I agree with you that Cameron is an absolute gun.

[Hannibal 5,814]

On the other hand, does Cameron have Watts' elite disposal and composure? I don't think so.

One is going to be the competitions dominant CHF and the other a nice distributor in the back-line.

Which one do you think I'd prefer ?

EDIT: btw, one type is as rare as hen's teeth and the other type a dime a dozen.

Edited June 17, 2012 by Ben-Hur

[IRW 1,387]

Coach Neeld summed it up well when he speculated that Jack may be one of those rare players (read champions) who can play forward mid or back and even pinch hit it the ruck if needed.

Think Goodes rather than Reiwoldt

Pendlebury reckoned that basketball point guards make the best mid fielders which is why he sees Watts playing midfield and directing traffic around the ground.

Already with him down back we see his vision setting up the play,,a talent so often talked about but rarely delivered ,and his intercept steal and run through the corridor against the Pies showed something of that and how damaging he will be in the centre of the ground

However he still needs to get the intensity and pace of the game into his system, You have to be very very good if you continue to trail to the contest on the assumption that the ball will stay in dispute until you get there.

The odd 50 metre roost,not just when kicking in, wouldnt hurt either

[Biffen 12,943]

I think you've underlined the major issues there IRW.

[IRW 1,387]

bldy hell this board is complicated

. I saw the underline but was too scared to try and erase it unless something weird happened.

Alternatively I could take your post as a compliment.

I Think I will actually because I rarely get them where I come from

[jnrmac 20,058]

One is going to be the competitions dominant CHF and the other a nice distributor in the back-line.

Which one do you think I'd prefer ?

EDIT: btw, one type is as rare as hen's teeth and the other type a dime a dozen.

Nice crystal ball you have there BH. [face palm!]

[Little Richard 6,262]

One is going to be the competitions dominant CHF and the other a nice distributor in the back-line.

Which one do you think I'd prefer ?

EDIT: btw, one type is as rare as hen's teeth and the other type a dime a dozen.

I think for his first three or four games as a backman, Jack has been much more impressive than a standard 'distributor'. He has been getting better every week in this role and if he continues to improve like this we might end up with the best player of this type in the league. I'd take that over the CHF considering we now have Clark and some options for the future like Cook and possibly Garland.

[Hannibal 5,814]

I'd take that over the CHF considering we now have Clark and some options for the future like Cook and possibly Garland.

Then we'll never agree on much.

[Little Richard 6,262]

Then we'll never agree on much.

No I guess not but hopefully one day we can share in the glory of an MFC premiership!

[pilgrim 122]

Much to my surprise, Jack came into my work tonight and I served him (I work at a video games store). I wished him all the best for tomorrow night and he replied with how good this year felt for him and how great it would be to go into the bye 4w-5l. I added that it'd be particularly great because we'd be able to stick it up Damien Barrett and he wholeheartedly agreed! I love that everyone hates that nerdlinger's negativity. Anyway, just thought I'd say that. He's seriously the most decent bloke and had the time to have a quick chat and shake my hand on the way out. This bloke needs to stick around, I can see why everyone at the club respects him so much.

Best shift ever.

[TGR 1,367]

Nobody disagrees that he is the boy you'd want your daughter to marry.

He has to learn that we need him to the the man you want to go to war with.

I have watched MFC last decade doing token 1%ers. Lets call em half percenters. The clayton's smother. You know, one hand up, look away, hope the ball doesn't bend my pinky.

Tonight I watched Sydney. 1 and a half percenters. Smothers full on diving. No token efforts. We are getting there gradually. But like Roos says, we have a long way to go. So does Jack of Hearts.

[Young Dee 1,303]

Much to my surprise, Jack came into my work tonight and I served him (I work at a video games store). I wished him all the best for tomorrow night and he replied with how good this year felt for him and how great it would be to go into the bye 4w-5l. I added that it'd be particularly great because we'd be able to stick it up Damien Barrett and he wholeheartedly agreed! I love that everyone hates that nerdlinger's negativity. Anyway, just thought I'd say that. He's seriously the most decent bloke and had the time to have a quick chat and shake my hand on the way out. This bloke needs to stick around, I can see why everyone at the club respects him so much.

Best shift ever.

Was this after you told him he should be in the gym and not playing video games.......jokes

[DemonOX 8,791]

Much to my surprise, Jack came into my work tonight and I served him (I work at a video games store). I wished him all the best for tomorrow night and he replied with how good this year felt for him and how great it would be to go into the bye 4w-5l. I added that it'd be particularly great because we'd be able to stick it up Damien Barrett and he wholeheartedly agreed! I love that everyone hates that nerdlinger's negativity. Anyway, just thought I'd say that. He's seriously the most decent bloke and had the time to have a quick chat and shake my hand on the way out. This bloke needs to stick around, I can see why everyone at the club respects him so much.

Best shift ever.

Thanks for sharing pilgrim.

Didn't know video game stores were still around!

I too have spoken to watts on a few occasions and every time he is more than happy to chat and have photos etc.

Great bloke and gets far too much negative comments/publicity.

[Deestroy All 14,264]

Much to my surprise, Jack came into my work tonight and I served him (I work at a video games store). I wished him all the best for tomorrow night and he replied with how good this year felt for him and how great it would be to go into the bye 4w-5l. I added that it'd be particularly great because we'd be able to stick it up Damien Barrett and he wholeheartedly agreed! I love that everyone hates that nerdlinger's negativity. Anyway, just thought I'd say that. He's seriously the most decent bloke and had the time to have a quick chat and shake my hand on the way out. This bloke needs to stick around, I can see why everyone at the club respects him so much.

Best shift ever.

What game did he get??

[Deestroy All 14,264]

Didn't know video game stores were still around!

EB Games?

[Ethan Tremblay 30,856]

What game did he get??

NBA Live '95

[pilgrim 122]

What game did he get??

He bought Titanfall.

Yeah EB Games is still kickin' around.

[Pirlo 813]

He's a terrific person, absolutely right.