I'm an unabashed Watts fan and think he will be something special. At training today I was standing about 30 metres from where he played much of the game simulation stuff. Sure hands, exceptional disposal and good decision making but the thing that really struck me was his agility. He was untouchable in the drills and just worked his way through congestion so easily.

There is no doubt if things fall right this year he will spend time on the wing/midfield.

he still needs a far greater attack on the footy. And please dont provide examples when he did show this. it should be the norm, not the exception

he still needs a far greater attack on the footy. And please dont provide examples when he did show this. it should be the norm, not the exception

Yes, please don't provide examples that might blow my argument out of the water!

Anyway, the onus isn't on people to prove you wrong, the onus is on you to prove yourself right.

And so it is written - his attack on the ball will now be beyond reproach!

The mighty anti-oracle has spoken!

Yes, please don't provide examples that might blow my argument out of the water!

Anyway, the onus isn't on people to prove you wrong, the onus is on you to prove yourself right.

Nasher, that post is what I call "Nothing but net !" Swiish ! 3points. (excuse the basketball trash talk)

Yes, please don't provide examples that might blow my argument out of the water!

Anyway, the onus isn't on people to prove you wrong, the onus is on you to prove yourself right.

He said it should be the norm, not something i remember happening 4 times a season....

This is his biggest downfall, everything else he is ontop of imo

He said it should be the norm, not something i remember happening 4 times a season....

This is his biggest downfall, everything else he is ontop of imo

I don't agree with this. I was critical of Watts before the start of last season in terms of his intensity, hardness at the ball etc and felt that he really needed to focus on this area or play in the maggos until he had improved.

To his huge credit i reckon he really improved his intensity last season and for my money, whilst prob not on a par with say MacKenzie for hardness at the ball was almost the most consistent player across the season in terms of competing, second efforts and attacking the ball.

I don't agree with this. I was critical of Watts before the start of last season in terms of his intensity, hardness at the ball etc and felt that he really needed to focus on this area or play in the maggos until he had improved.

To his huge credit i reckon he really improved his intensity last season and for my money, whilst prob not on a par with say MacKenzie for hardness at the ball was almost the most consistent player across the season in terms of competing, second efforts and attacking the ball.

I definitively improved last year, and i dont expect him to be on par with say Mckenzie but i think he still has room for improvement

I definitively improved last year, and i dont expect him to be on par with say Mckenzie but i think he still has room for improvement

Fair 'nuff

Certainly room for improvement and I can tell you the coaches believe so too. I've reported this before on here, but a friend of mine and his GF (a dees supporter) work in sport and was having beers with Rawlings and Brown just before pre-season and they asked about Watts - "no heart" was the quote. As in, 'they're going to get him one'.

interesting to see how that turned out. Almost all disagreed with me and now you've all seem to have done a 180 and agree that his attack needs improvement and is no-where near Jordy Mckenzies. And lets face it, Key forwards are supposed to have the biggest attack on the footy. jonathan Brown, Riewoldt, Buddy(FF and CHF) goes really hard too. Jack Watts is being groomed as a full forward or a roaming half forward flanker. Not a bustling CHF type.

Watts will grow into becoming an A grade footballer with maturity. Whether he becomes a true elite of the game will be dependant on how much he wants it and his ability to push himself the way the great forwards like Riewoldt and Brown have. To compare the attack of an inside midfielder like Jordie with Watts is apples and oranges.

Freak his attack improved last year and was acceptable for a third year floating forward. He has a long way to go to becoming an elite key forward. Thinking this way does not make it an about face.

Edited February 8, 201213 yr by big_red_fire_engine

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?

I think he could play anywhere but he is a very reliable set shot kick .Howe looks that way too .Killa may be wasted on the wing .Certainly worth a try if he's having a bad day up forward .

Edited February 8, 201213 yr by Biffen

Certainly room for improvement and I can tell you the coaches believe so too. I've reported this before on here, but a friend of mine and his GF (a dees supporter) work in sport and was having beers with Rawlings and Brown just before pre-season and they asked about Watts - "no heart" was the quote. As in, 'they're going to get him one'.

coming from Rawlings that is insulting-Watts has huge talent and will cash in on it. Rawlings was a journeyman with limited pace ,skill or guts.Watts has all three .

Certainly room for improvement and I can tell you the coaches believe so too. I've reported this before on here, but a friend of mine and his GF (a dees supporter) work in sport and was having beers with Rawlings and Brown just before pre-season and they asked about Watts - "no heart" was the quote. As in, 'they're going to get him one'.

I find that extremely hard to believe - no offence to yourself as you can only report what you've been told - however, how the hell could either Brown or Rawlings offer a definitive opinion of Watts when they've been in the place for five minutes ?

.....or make such a callous public comments about one of the players under their direction.....I know footballers arent a bright lot but that tale stretches the imagination.

Yes, please don't provide examples that might blow my argument out of the water!

Anyway, the onus isn't on people to prove you wrong, the onus is on you to prove yourself right.

Freak is absolutely correct in saying that it's Watts' biggest weakness. He is making an accurate point about something Watts needs to seriously

address if we are going to see him become an elite player. I'm glad our coach can see it. You clearly have your head in the sand.

As most others have alluded to, all other aspects of his game are great for someone of his age.

You know exactly what he is saying. So how about you engage in some of the constructive criticism that is missing from this thread about Watts?

And so it is written - his attack on the ball will now be beyond reproach!

The mighty anti-oracle has spoken!

What's your honest opinion on the matter funny guy?

I didn't know stand up comedians frequented football forums so often?

Nasher, that post is what I call "Nothing but net !" Swiish ! 3points. (excuse the basketball trash talk)

How old are you HT?

Dear god.

Edited February 10, 201213 yr by stevethemanjordan

Opposition supporters only need look here to see that we are indeed a soft club.

Why do the majority continue to accept all this half arsed rubbish?

Neeld has given him a kick up the backside after coming from the most professionally run club within the AFL.

Why is it that people go up in arms when a poster rightly says that Watts needs to learn how to attack the footy at

100 % intensity?

Why do the coaches say it? Why do football media personnel say it? Why?

Wake up!

I find that extremely hard to believe - no offence to yourself as you can only report what you've been told - however, how the hell could either Brown or Rawlings offer a definitive opinion of Watts when they've been in the place for five minutes ?

Not sure they needed to carry out a study to find a definitive answer - they do know footy. I rate JW highly, but his agression / hunger could improve. My feeling is the comment was made in regard to coming out of the private school system almost exclusively. Huge talent, needs to and by other reports I've had they're teaching him how to work much much harder.

.....or make such a callous public comments about one of the players under their direction.....I know footballers arent a bright lot but that tale stretches the imagination.

Take it or leave it. I'm not being lied to. Hardly callours - harden up Jack! It was just a conversation between sports people over beers. I suspect their opinion may have changed by now

What's your honest opinion on the matter funny guy? I didn't know stand up comedians frequented football forums so often?

Oh, Watts needs to improve on the ten good games he played last year?!

He needs to improve his physicality?!

You get frustrated by the MFC's 'soft' supporters?

I get frustrated with those supporters who shift the goalposts for this team and its players. Watts had a good 2011, a number of supporters didn't think it would be as good as it was. But here we are and they can't see the forest for the trees.

Why don't we keep the fire on the feet of those who actually didn't live up to expectations last year: Green, Davey, Petterd, the midfield as a whole, Moloney against decent teams, etc.

This desire to keep Watts 'dancing' (that is a reference to shooting bullets at his feet) is getting tiresome for all concerned. Let's see how he reacts to the new FD and the preseason and actually wait until April to cast judgement.

How old are you HT?

Dear god.

Young at heart stmj, young at heart.

Lighten up, FFS.

Really want Jack "Charlie" Watts to become a top 10 player. He could do it.

The article written 2 years ago when he was quoted as saying "losses don"t hurt" bothered me greatly. That is an attitude he must get rid of.

Knowing kids who played school sport with him, Jack was good at every sport he touched, but now he is playing elite AFL.

Will be one of Neeld's project players. Jack Watts could kick a bag in a GF with the right attitude. His 2011 showed glimpses of a more mature kid.

Hope he plays a full 2012 & ramps it up another notch. How we use Watts & Clark this year is what i want to see most. If they click, we will win games.

''My plan is to play Jack Watts forward,'' Neeld said. ''When he was drafted he was certainly drafted as a key position prospect

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/watts-moving-forward-in-demons-reshuffle-20120209-1rwvw.html#ixzz1lvNm7MGD

Freak and STMJ should be happy with this.

To me this says Neeld isn't going to allow Watts to cruise on his strengths and get cheap ball like Bailey did. He will challenge Watts to become the player we need.

Bails probably had no choice to be fair, Jack needed confidence and to get his hands on the ball. Our lack of competition for spots in the 22 was a major factor in that.

I can see Watts slotting goals under pressure consistently . He has a beautiful technique and temperament for a goal kicker .Look out .

If we get nice delivery ,how can you stop a forward line like ours will be .

Howe Watts Jurrah

Green Clark Jetta/Bennell

''My plan is to play Jack Watts forward,'' Neeld said. ''When he was drafted he was certainly drafted as a key position prospect

Read more: http://www.theage.co...l#ixzz1lvNm7MGD

Freak and STMJ should be happy with this.

To me this says Neeld isn't going to allow Watts to cruise on his strengths and get cheap ball like Bailey did. He will challenge Watts to become the player we need.

Bails probably had no choice to be fair, Jack needed confidence and to get his hands on the ball. Our lack of competition for spots in the 22 was a major factor in that.

I am happy with what's said in that article. It affirms Jack's training habits, his future as the tall forward few people thought he could be only 12 months ago, his position as a foil for Clark, and mentions, for a third of the article, the 'leaders' from last year and the expectations on them.

We all want to read alot into a short article in The Age but it mentions Sellar and the 'leaders' from last year as much as Jack, so I don't think this is Neeld 'holding Watts' feet to the fire.'