I will always maintained that Jack stayed out of congested situations in his first 2 seasons either by his own design or on the advice of others. Whether it was his doing or others it was a mistake to have him play senior football in that time.

When he started to get where the ball was in 2011 we saw his value. We also saw some mental resolve and leadership. I think that with increased intensity and a bigger body Jack Watts will have a very good year barring injury.

He is a good kid that has been poorly managed as BB alluded to.

Jack Watts lifts workrate after spray from coach Mark Neeld

JACK Watts has no problem with coach Mark Neeld's public spray, even going as far as declaring it "spot-on".

The new Melbourne coach questioned Watts' appetite for hard work in a Herald Sun interview in November, but the No.1 draft pick has welcomed the wake-up call.

"I thought it was pretty spot-on. I'd be disappointed if Neeldy wasn't expecting more of me and wasn't challenging me to get better," Watts said.

"I took that on board and improved so far throughout pre-season."

With Clarke and a bigger bodied Watts sure makes for a more dangerous looking forward line. I hope to see some big things from them this year.

i still hope he'll be the star i think he can be, but for 2012 i'll just take more steady progression.

the player he's always reminded me of most, at least in terms of his movement, is hird.

i'll settle for him being as good as hird, thanks kindly.

Watts IMO will keep getting better

At the moment i would have him play Wing and roam between half forward and half back

Good enough lead and mark to recieve the kick in

At schoolboy level he was an excellent pack mark

He is still developing from schoolboy to man so expect him to fulfill a KPF role in 2013 - 2014

then we will see why he was the #1 draft pick

when i first saw him he reminded me of Royce Hart and nothing has changed

I wouldnt mind If he ran around like Mitch Robinson

What as a mindless thug with ordinary skills and a penchant for king hitting players off the ball.

What as a mindless thug with ordinary skills and a penchant for king hitting players off the ball.

Yeah that's exactly what I meant...

What's with all the Petterd hate? He wasn't that bad.

What as a mindless thug with ordinary skills and a penchant for king hitting players off the ball.

No , as a player with relentless attack on ball and man .

What's with all the Petterd hate? He wasn't that bad.

Good standard there DD...

No , as a player with relentless attack on ball and man .

Not you as well. Mitch Robinson is a Dud, Jack Watts is a young man learning the craft and growing in size. Sit back and enjoy the ride. Or of course get the "Big Hits" video and watch Mitch run around. Oh wait, his best hits are behind the play and unlikely to be on film. He's as weak and gutless as I've seen from a supposed hit man. Grow up or go to the boxing, Oh wait they stand face to face, not Mitch's modus operandi, just ask Rohan Bail.

Has dropped 2kg. 91kg down to 89kg.

Not you as well. Mitch Robinson is a Dud, Jack Watts is a young man learning the craft and growing in size. Sit back and enjoy the ride. Or of course get the "Big Hits" video and watch Mitch run around. Oh wait, his best hits are behind the play and unlikely to be on film. He's as weak and gutless as I've seen from a supposed hit man. Grow up or go to the boxing, Oh wait they stand face to face, not Mitch's modus operandi, just ask Rohan Bail.

If Mitch Robinson played for us he'd be a cult figure and I'd love a player like him running around for us .

If Mitch Robinson played for us he'd be a cult figure and I'd love a player like him running around for us .

Surely he is similar to Jordie, with slightly better disposal?

I rate Watts and marvel at his natural talent, but he still doesn't have the appetite for a pack marking contest. He found himself at the front of a pack a couple of times last Friday and was plainly hesitant in his marking attempts. This (natural ) desire to minimize hurt and physical contact will prevent him from being what he could be unless he discovers a way to overcome it. He could become great, but I fear he'll settle for very good.

If Mitch Robinson played for us he'd be a cult figure and I'd love a player like him running around for us .

So you'd prefer a sniper as a cult figure to Jack Watts?

I've said it before and I'll say it again he reminds me of Brendan Goddard in almost everything he does.

Brendan's first 4 years he was highly criticized for his lack of effort and attack on the ball although he showed glimpses of sublime skills and a smart footy brain. Now days Brendan can play almost every position on the ground and is an absolute elite match winner.

Our number one draft pick is almost a mirror image IMO a little taller but could potentially play a number of positions and have the ability to be a top player with match winning ability. Time will tell but I think he looks the goods more then likely 2013 or 2014 he will start to dominate games

Surely he is similar to Jordie, with slightly better disposal?

Martin Flanagan called McKenzie a "rich mans" Mitch Robinson and that is how you will refer to him.

I rate Watts and marvel at his natural talent, but he still doesn't have the appetite for a pack marking contest. He found himself at the front of a pack a couple of times last Friday and was plainly hesitant in his marking attempts. This (natural ) desire to minimize hurt and physical contact will prevent him from being what he could be unless he discovers a way to overcome it. He could become great, but I fear he'll settle for very good.

Yeh right - important players should always go all-out in intraclub practice matches, especially if it means risking injury to themselves or one of their colleagues. You may or may not be right about Jack, but it's a terrible example.

Martin Flanagan called McKenzie a "rich mans" Mitch Robinson and that is how you will refer to him.

I would prefer not to use that sniper's name in association with our fearless tackling machine.

PS: this is a Jack Watts thread

Not you as well. Mitch Robinson is a Dud, Jack Watts is a young man learning the craft and growing in size. Sit back and enjoy the ride. Or of course get the "Big Hits" video and watch Mitch run around. Oh wait, his best hits are behind the play and unlikely to be on film. He's as weak and gutless as I've seen from a supposed hit man. Grow up or go to the boxing, Oh wait they stand face to face, not Mitch's modus operandi, just ask Rohan Bail.

So you'd prefer a sniper as a cult figure to Jack Watts?

Nobody here has suggested they would prefer Robinson to Watts.

Nobody here has doubted the attributes Jack Watts possesses.

You're the only one who is making these accusations, and frankly you need to get a clue.

All anyone has said, is something that many believe will decide just how good a player Jack Watts will become.

ie - His attack and hardness at the ball/contest/marking contests.

Not you as well. Mitch Robinson is a Dud, Jack Watts is a young man learning the craft and growing in size. Sit back and enjoy the ride. Or of course get the "Big Hits" video and watch Mitch run around. Oh wait, his best hits are behind the play and unlikely to be on film. He's as weak and gutless as I've seen from a supposed hit man. Grow up or go to the boxing, Oh wait they stand face to face, not Mitch's modus operandi, just ask Rohan Bail.

Fact - Robinson's fearlessness and attack on the ball/ball carrier is the sole reason he is playing AFL football.

While he isn't the most skilled, he is in Carlton's 22 for good reason. Far from a dud.

Again, get a clue.

Fact - Robinson's fearlessness and attack on the ball/ball carrier is the sole reason he is playing AFL football.

While he isn't the most skilled, he is in Carlton's 22 for good reason. Far from a dud.

Again, get a clue.

Here's a FACT for you - he's in Carlton's best 22 because their bottom 6 is weak. The main reason they won't win the flag with Judd at the helm.

If Carlton had a handful of better players Robinson would be running around for the Bullants, doing what he does best which is king hitting unaware players.

DUD with all capitals. Time to reload cowboy and have another shot, or is it just blanks you hold?

Yeh right - important players should always go all-out in intraclub practice matches, especially if it means risking injury to themselves or one of their colleagues. You may or may not be right about Jack, but it's a terrible example.

Never seen him shirk it in a game-and he wont .Glad he avoided an injury in an interclub match .The danger of those games is that there are kids desperate for a chance who will run through walls to get a spot and bring down a gun in the process .

Here's a FACT for you - he's in Carlton's best 22 because their bottom 6 is weak. The main reason they won't win the flag with Judd at the helm.

If Carlton had a handful of better players Robinson would be running around for the Bullants, doing what he does best which is king hitting unaware players.

DUD with all capitals. Time to reload cowboy and have another shot, or is it just blanks you hold?

That's just not right - he's very annoying but he can play.

Here's a FACT for you - he's in Carlton's best 22 because their bottom 6 is weak. The main reason they won't win the flag with Judd at the helm.

If Carlton had a handful of better players Robinson would be running around for the Bullants, doing what he does best which is king hitting unaware players.

DUD with all capitals. Time to reload cowboy and have another shot, or is it just blanks you hold?

Have a watch and get back to me.

If you still think he's a dud and is a contributing factor to why 'Carlton won't win a flag' then

we can end this debate. It will confirm that you know have a shallow understanding of the game AFL.

Oh, and please stop using those corny comebacks. Time to reload cowboy? Seriously?