Jack Watts

[beelzebub 23,198]

with apologies to FB ( MFC)

pilfered from there...but the sentiment is the thing here

"Symon Brady My 8yo son, Cameron, seeing his first ever LIVE win. He chatted to Jack Watts at the race before the game and told him that he had never seen the Dees win a game live, Jack said to him, "let's change that today." At the end of the game when the players came down the race Wattsy pointed to Cameron and with a big smile gave him a massive thumbs up. Was the best sight ever! GO DEES!"

I've lamabasted ol' Jack when I thought it warranted. In fairness applause also when due. Nice touch JW

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

He has played better games than that.

We just believe the BS said by people who don't watch him as closely as we do and after a quiet month he is back to being a 'hack' or a 'spud' again.

It's largely up to him to string some games together but I will bring it back home here with one of much loved comparisons - Lynden Dunn.

Dunn was nowhere at Watts' age, absolutely nowhere. 2013 and this year he has finally become a solid pro capable of playing a role for the team.

He is 27. With Watts well ahead of where Dunn was at the same age, you are absolutely correct that he will continue to get better as he matures.

Hopefully, we will mature with him.

He's nowhere near his ceiling yet, could still be anything

[Sir Why You Little 36,624]

If Jack plays with the same intent in the next game agaiinst Port in Alice we are a serious chance to win.

Fear no one is the next stage. Play the roles and position yourself in the right spots over and over...

[titan_uranus 24,584]

Oh yeah that must be it. Because he had the gun defender that is Nick Vlaustin on him right?

Watts put in a good last quarter. We all know he must've been fresh because his effort in the first 3 was typically ordinary.

Richmond's half backs are running all over us in the 3rd quarter. Salem's stuffed. Gawn is chasing at Gawn speed. Dawes is working his butt off. Same with Pedersen. And Jack Watts is being Jack Watts and letting slower blokes run straight passed him.

A great last quarter. Some really good confidence to call for the ball one on one and take a 'somewhat' contested mark. Beautiful running forward of the ball to get out in space in the first place (this has improved in his game exponentially).

A somewhat step forward for Watts. But more and more I'm thinking he's found his level as inconsistent, softish, skilled half forward who will have some decent weeks, some poor weeks.

Most of our wins have come against poor sides completely devoid of pressure or physicality. It's hardly a surprise that Watts thrives (at least the attacking part of his game) in those conditions and then there is a snowball effect because his disposals are often clean and result in scores and the goals he kicks.

But I see Watts as the icing once others make the cake.

Today was slightly more impressive because he put a sword to a weakening opponent instead of getting early goals against a mediocre one.

Absolute crap.

Watts' intensity was evident from the first bounce. He was tackling, chasing, pressuring and putting in repeat efforts all day.

His fourth quarter effort was not due to a lack of trying in the first three. It was due to him being a superior athlete compared to most of Richmond's VFL-grade hacks.

And then you play the 'but he's only performed well against crap opponents'. Half the reason they are crap is because we take the pressure to them. Regardless, we are Melbourne - every game we play is a challenge in some regard. Richmond and Carlton were 2013 finalists, FFS.

Just accept the fact that you may well be very wrong in what you thought, and still think, about Watts, and acknowledge that yesterday he played a strong, skilful game.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,012]

I don't think the claim that Jack only plays well against crap opponents holds water. His best game for the club was in the win over Essendon in 2012. In that game they moved Watson forward in the last to try to win them the game and Watts took him on and beat him. I don't think you can call that crap opposition given that they'd lost one game up to that point. This year we have already won games against two of last year's finalists and Adeliade who finished 10th and came back the week after to knock over Collingwood. I think we need to give that line a bit of a rest now, don't you?

I am beginning to think that Jack finally gets it. He said in an interview after the game that the team as a whole are now understanding that they don't have to do something exceptional, they just need to play their part and go when it's their turn to go and if they can all do that then they are going to be competitive against pretty much any side. That is a huge step in his attitude towards the game, I think, and gives me great hope for the future. We've already seen that when he just digs in and does the simple things right the rest follows. If he's now thinking in those lines then surely consistency can't be far behind.

[dee-luded 2,959]

He has played better games than that.

We just believe the BS said by people who don't watch him as closely as we do and after a quiet month he is back to being a 'hack' or a 'spud' again.

It's largely up to him to string some games together but I will bring it back home here with one of much loved comparisons - Lynden Dunn.

Dunn was nowhere at Watts' age, absolutely nowhere. 2013 and this year he has finally become a solid pro capable of playing a role for the team.

He is 27. With Watts well ahead of where Dunn was at the same age, you are absolutely correct that he will continue to get better as he matures.

Hopefully, we will mature with him.

and both of them played senior footy, before they were truly ready. it held both back in there development.

[dee-luded 2,959]

At half time I thought his game was almost the opposite of usual. All work rate, tackles, leads etc and no fancy stuff, no threading the needle etc. I was really happy with his efforts but thought it would probably go unnoticed. I thought his third quarter was a bit quieter but they were at the other end from me so maybe that was it. His fourth quarter was immense. The amount of running he did was great.

The last goal he kicked after a mark close to goal was a result of a 150 m run from the wing where he won the ball and got it out before sprinting forward. Fantastic play.

Well done Jack.

He has *played better* but this was one of his highest work rates I think.

and this is exactly what we've been waiting & hoping for. just honest effort, workrate all 'round, the non negotiables. he doesn't have to star, but we'd like him too, but to show he cares about the game & the jumper, & has a red hot go.

[dee-luded 2,959]

I'm laughing out loud.

Knew this would happen.

Those here who regularly bag Watts can get stuffed.

You can no longer hide behind your convenient, simplistic, boring, cliched, pathetic posts. Just admit that he's still developing and that he's a bloody important player for this club.

Good onya Jack. Great game - thank you. I really enjoyed that win.

he's in his 6th season rb, & he was developing for some of those, but this year all hoped he would show he's trying. when he showed what appeared the oposite, its not surprising the supporters, ex footballers & footy callers were all questioning his ability & output.

all & sundry questioned his poor efforts not so many games back. rightfully so.

Even Dawes tried to show him whats required by doing jacks share of work onfield, & Crossy (now on the leadership group) had a crack at him. this is whats helped him to change his mind, & put in.

its a welcome change of Heart.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

I was totally p155ed with Jack a few weeks ago and questioned his desire to play the game at the highest level and it seems as if there were a few at the club and on this board who agreed with me. Well since then he seems to have had a change of attitude and is finally putting how body on the line, he had a black eye at the end of the game so I guess he understands that you can get hurt but not necessarily killed if you put in.

He has received an unbelievable amount of pressure and even after the game that idiot King had a dip at him, accusing him of not putting in in the past, instead of saying well done on a great game today, you could see Jack deflate in front of you.

I would say that every MFC supporter wants to see him succeed, but unfortunately we want it now and were not prepared to give him the time we give to others. Roos has shown great faith in him and I think this will do more for his development than anything he could do on the track or in the gym.

[ManDee 7,124]

http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_player_compare?tid1=12&pid1=3107&tid2=19&pid2=3108&type=A&fid1=S&fid2=S

For all those Jack Watts haters, look at the footy wire link. If you think the comparison is unfair because it is based on stats go cry somewhere else.

Supercoach AFL Fantasy Jack is in front. And they want to offer the dreadlocks over a million a year! And Jack signed on with us for much less. We won big time.

Get off Jacks back, and learn to appreciate what a rare gem we have. And Watts will continue to improve.

[Sir Why You Little 36,624]

The running goal against Adelaide i hope is Jacks turning point.

His hard work contributed to the win

On saturday his last Quarter was a major factor in winning the game.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

Roosy said on SEN this morning that Jack felt every time he went out play he should be best on ground because he was a number 1 draft selection; imagine the pressure he put on himself apart from all the external pressure applied by others.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Youre error RB im affraid is to ovetsimplify your asserttions.

Many here acknowledged Jacks ability and potential.

We also Spoke of his failings.

Wasnt many of us that needed to adjust. It was Jack. He seems to be doing so

Agreed.

He was putrid, embarrassing and just plain rubbish at times, no one can deny that. He has improved a lot and is doing a lot of the things we were crying our for him to do.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Roosy said on SEN this morning that Jack felt every time he went out play he should be best on ground because he was a number 1 draft selection; imagine the pressure he put on himself apart from all the external pressure applied by others.

What I don't understand is why all the other number one draft picks don't get this pressure? You never hear David Swallow, Tom Scully or Lachie Whitfield referred to as "number one draft pick". It's as if there has only been one draft in the past decade, bizarre.

[Dockett 32 1,237]

Roos is trying to give an insight into the impossible expectations placed on him by some. God only knows what awaits Hogan when he gets his turn.

[beelzebub 23,198]

Roos is trying to give an insight into the impossible expectations placed on him by some. God only knows what awaits Hogan when he gets his turn.

Different beast

Hogan will eat opposition

He has an appetite for the contest unseen for a long long while.

Pity those who're assigned him

[Dockett 32 1,237]

I'm happy to give him a little time.

[JackVineyForPresident 310]

all i want is steady improvement and he certainly is doing that

[Adam The God 29,338]

Roos is trying to give an insight into the impossible expectations placed on him by some. God only knows what awaits Hogan when he gets his turn.

Hogan will be fine, because attitudes are changing at the club. That, I think, was Roos' point on SEN.

Edited May 19, 2014 by AdamFarr

[Dee Fan 3,247]

What I don't understand is why all the other number one draft picks don't get this pressure? You never hear David Swallow, Tom Scully or Lachie Whitfield referred to as "number one draft pick". It's as if there has only been one draft in the past decade, bizarre.

Kruezer.

Don't the number 2 picks fly under the radar.

[cowboy_from_hell 2,390]

What I don't understand is why all the other number one draft picks don't get this pressure? You never hear David Swallow, Tom Scully or Lachie Whitfield referred to as "number one draft pick". It's as if there has only been one draft in the past decade, bizarre.

Not really in Jack's case. I heard the SEN interview as well this morning with Roos and he was spot on. Roos was at the G as a opposition coach when Watts was rolled out for Queens Birthday. Roos spoke of Jack being hailed the hero/saviour of a very ordinary club in front of a packed MCG when he was in reality a skinny 18 year old Brighton school kid. No doubt Watts was feeling the pressure of being hailed a saviour before ever getting a kick. Roos spoke of Watts having a feeling that he had to be BOG every week to prove his worth. Now he just needs to play his role.

[DeeSpencer 24,706]

Absolute crap.

Watts' intensity was evident from the first bounce. He was tackling, chasing, pressuring and putting in repeat efforts all day.

His fourth quarter effort was not due to a lack of trying in the first three. It was due to him being a superior athlete compared to most of Richmond's VFL-grade hacks.

And then you play the 'but he's only performed well against crap opponents'. Half the reason they are crap is because we take the pressure to them. Regardless, we are Melbourne - every game we play is a challenge in some regard. Richmond and Carlton were 2013 finalists, FFS.

Just accept the fact that you may well be very wrong in what you thought, and still think, about Watts, and acknowledge that yesterday he played a strong, skilful game.

He tackling was better. but his defensive effort and positioning is still a liability. Time after time everyone is manned up except for Watts who is 5m off his opponent and who's man becomes the outlet kick.

Houli had a shot from goal 40m out at a crucial time in the 3/4 when everyone was manned up besides Watts standing 5m off Hurley for no reason.

Some of it is work rate, some of it must be a complete lack of understanding about when to press up or push back. But Watts is still a liability defensively a lot of the time.

Why do you think Dawes was so keen to get around him after his chase against Adelaide?

[beelzebub 23,198]

watts isnt there...its a path...Hes now decided to go it...Good on him

[Still Waiting 94]

Interesting to hear Chunk Jones on Talking footy tonight state that when Watts 1st joined the MFC "he was not handled very well at all". Damning truths on poor coaching and personal management without question I reckon. Watts still has time to become a better than average player ..............................but the clock is ticking quite loudly!

[Dee Fan 3,247]

He tackling was better. but his defensive effort and positioning is still a liability. Time after time everyone is manned up except for Watts who is 5m off his opponent and who's man becomes the outlet kick.

Houli had a shot from goal 40m out at a crucial time in the 3/4 when everyone was manned up besides Watts standing 5m off Hurley for no reason.

Some of it is work rate, some of it must be a complete lack of understanding about when to press up or push back. But Watts is still a liability defensively a lot of the time.

Why do you think Dawes was so keen to get around him after his chase against Adelaide?

Give it a rest, he's improving all aspects of his game he had a great 4 quarters against the Tiges; from now on I'd expect he'll resolve all the problems you seem to find in him. Perhaps you'd like to send Roos an email and explain where he's gone wrong with Jack so far.