Lots to like about what you say BJ

Hope JW keeps his development on and off the field

Neeld and Jack both seem pretty balanced

I hope those footy skills he has displayed increase and I still continue to say he could be our big occassion player

I hope so!

Cheers mate

just had a quick look in the locker room 16,000 odd posts on JW nearly 6000 on morton 4000odd on moloney

The boy is certainly generating interest (at the risk of regenerating those puns)

Was interested that Neeld referred to the investment and nned to get a return

hopefully hes looking longer term blue chip (BHP rather than high risk short term)

just had a quick look in the locker room 16,000 odd posts on JW nearly 6000 on morton 4000odd on moloney

The boy is certainly generating interest (at the risk of regenerating those puns)

Was interested that Neeld referred to the investment and nned to get a return

hopefully hes looking longer term blue chip (BHP rather than high risk short term)

There are no guarantees in the football business.

Just because you are a high draft pick does not guarantee success.

The league is littered with guys that did not make it.

Simpily because JW was a no.1 pick does not mean he will be anymore than an average footballer.

Time will tell but do not fall for the line that because we chose him at no.1 automatically make him top line.

I'll keep it simple.

I like what I saw mid season last year

This season, I want to see progress on his good mid season patch last year.

I will not write him off after two NAB cup games.

There are no guarantees in the football business.

Just because you are a high draft pick does not guarantee success.

The league is littered with guys that did not make it.

Simpily because JW was a no.1 pick does not mean he will be anymore than an average footballer.

Time will tell but do not fall for the line that because we chose him at no.1 automatically make him top line.

I agree number 1 does not make you elite but watts has shown some good skill in 2011 and should see some more improvment in 2012. You dont go number 1 for nothing at the same time he was the best in the contry at the time along with nic nat so if we put the right coaches around him he should be around number 1 again when he is 25.

Terry Wallace has an opinion but it doesn't really matter any more than the turd I flushed yesterday .

Same goes with Mick Malthouse.

I don't get called by Sen or any other moron riddled tabliod outfit for my opinion but Jack Watts will rip teams apart one day -I just know.

Terry Wallace has an opinion but it doesn't really matter any more than the turd I flushed yesterday .

Same goes with Mick Malthouse.

I don't get called by Sen or any other moron riddled tabliod outfit for my opinion but Jack Watts will rip teams apart one day -I just know.

Biffen at the risk of offending you, TW and MM carry a bit more weight than you.

You cannot simple defeat their arguements by slagging them off.

Just did .Old Dee .

Just because they suck money out of fans for 25 years for very little success on field doesn't mean they carry any weight .

The best thing TW ever did was provide a resting place for Mr Grinters attempted spoil .

From that day on he should have kept his jaw wired shut .

PS I was at the Western Oval that day -well worth the price of admission .

Edited March 5, 201213 yr by Biffen

Just did .Old Dee .

Just because they suck money out of fans for 25 years for very little success on field doesn't mean they carry any weight .

The best thing TW ever did was provide a resting place for Mr Grinters attempted spoil .

From that day on he should have kept his jaw wired shut .

PS I was at the Western Oval that day -well worth the price of admission .

Gee I wish we had MM's money sucking style at our club for the past 25 years. As for TW, he is still suffering post traumatic stress disorder for fumbling the ball in front of his nose that day.

Edited March 5, 201213 yr by Jackie

Don't remember typing that...

Misunderstanding RP...

Wattsy will come good . Mick Malthouse is a [censored] when commentating . Be patient peoples , its so early in the season . Give him time to get some games into himself under the new coaching panel and alongside mitch clarke and co and then see what happens . Anyone who is willing to right young players off in march is a fool .

Wattsy will come good . Mick Malthouse is a [censored] when commentating . Be patient peoples , its so early in the season . Give him time to get some games into himself under the new coaching panel and alongside mitch clarke and co and then see what happens . Anyone who is willing to right young players off in march is a fool .

Don't know that anyone is writing him off egd!

Some people are less convinced than others.

You do your arguement no good by slagging off MM.

The guy has coached 3 teams and two of them to premierships over a long period.

I think he has the runs on the board.

Ignore what he says at your peril.

He makes mistakes like all humans but he is no fool.

Wattsy will come good . Mick Malthouse is a [censored] when commentating . Be patient peoples , its so early in the season . Give him time to get some games into himself under the new coaching panel and alongside mitch clarke and co and then see what happens . Anyone who is willing to right young players off in march is a fool .

Too right EGD . Players like Malthouse who weren't born with any talent feel the need to rip into naturals like Jack . The game has passed TW by and the same with MM .Only Lethal is worth listening to from that old brigade .

Don't know that anyone is writing him off egd!

Some people are less convinced than others.

You do your arguement no good by slagging off MM.

The guy has coached 3 teams and two of them to premierships over a long period.

I think he has the runs on the board.

Ignore what he says at your peril.

He makes mistakes like all humans but he is no fool.

Was not bagging his coaching his record speaks for its self but i think as a commentator he thinks he has to be making big statements all the time . Just urging people to let Jack play and lay off him . If my memory serves me correctly most people were happy with his improvement and output last season , and after the off season and a couple of quiet practice matches hes copping flack in the press and on here again . lets judge him after some real football .

All this debate regarding Hurley & Naitanui got me wondering how much better than Watts they were last year.

So I looked up the stats. (http://www.afl.com.a....aspx#page=team)

Kicks (Ave) Marks (Ave) Clear (Ave) Tackles ( Ave) Goals (Ave) Hitouts D.O.B

Hurley 14.4, 5.2, 0.5, 1.3, 1.5, 0.3, 01/06/90

Naitanui 13.0, 2.2, 3.9, 3.8, 0.8, 19.9, 04/05/90

Watts 16.1, 5.6, 0.4, 2.4, 1.0, 0.4, 26/03/91

I know that stats can sometimes be deceiving but on these figures I cannot understand why Hurley is being touted as such a superstar.

Edited March 5, 201213 yr by Mgdee

He frustrates me sometimes but bloody hell lets get behind this kid. He's getting well and truly smashed in the media, I feel sorry for him.

I recall Leigh Mathews bagging Wattsy in a game v Bombers-perhaps his second game ever. Lloyd former Bomber all time great FF quickly picked on this point and gave Watts every chance to succeed and pointed to Reivolt and his own slow starting career.

Watts first game v Pies was all I needed to see. Pies were all over him and he took it quite well with not much back up from our boys. Where's Neita when you need him?

Be patient!

Don't believe the Essendon hype. Hurley will be a good player but has done no more than Jack has to date.

In 2011 Hurley did not once get more than 20 possession and managed more than 5 marks on only 9 occasions.

In 2011 Jack got 20 plus possessions 6 times and managed more than 5 marks 16 times.

All Hurley manages to do it kick a few more goals against bottom 8 teams.

Sorry I think Jack is going okay an has taken great strides in his 3 years (I don't count his first year as he was still in school) he stepped up well last season, but Hurley will be a gem to in Round 22 2009 he was the difference against Hawks in a virtual elimination final took a few pack marks in the last quarter. Both will be good players an it was interesting to hear Matty Lloyd on 3AW tonight defending Jack from Gerard and Dwayne, Lloydy was saying Watts has been drafted for where he will be in 5 years and IHO the criticism was unfair his exact words against Malthouse were is Mick forgetting this was March not September

Don't believe the Essendon hype. Hurley will be a good player but has done no more than Jack has to date.

In 2011 Hurley did not once get more than 20 possession and managed more than 5 marks on only 9 occasions.

In 2011 Jack got 20 plus possessions 6 times and managed more than 5 marks 16 times.

All Hurley manages to do it kick a few more goals against bottom 8 teams.

That's because Watts spent most of the year across half back....80% of his possessions and marks would have been uncontested.

Edited March 5, 201213 yr by brunoc

That's because Watts spent most of the year across half back.

That just isn't true.

Watts is a developing player. We are impatient, but there is significant recent history to suggest that key position players take a long time. Especially skinny ones like Jack.

People here are saying that being pick 1 doesn't mean he's going to turn into a top quality player. That's true, but what is also true is that his many talents should see him become a top quality player. He has pace, agility, awareness, sublime skills, great hands, size and a bit of X factor that should get him to the top of the game. Many, many players take time to get there (like Goddard).

He still plays the game like basketball a bit, but the game has moved away from that. I think he will be a very good key forward, but I also think he could be an absolute star midfielder. Pendlebury played the game like basketball, but that has now turned to his advantage. \

Once Jack starts flying for big marks we will see him become an absolute menace. He has it in him - he just hasn't yet worked out how.

I'm not worried, just impatient like everyone else. I want to see the future today!

im actually glad that Watts isnt gunning yet. Saw in the paper that Hurley is being offered a 2.2 million dollar deal.

I think its a better thing his taking his time, so we dont need to pay him the big bucks until we have to and are ready to make a push for the premiership.

That's because Watts spent most of the year across half back....80% of his possessions and marks would have been uncontested.

I know stats aren't everything, but still accross the board it stacks up.....

2011:

Contested Marks:

Jack Watts: 26

Michael Hurley: 23

Marks I50:

Jack Watts: 18

Michael Hurley: 26

Goal Assists:

Jack Watts: 12

Michael Hurley: 13

Tackles:

Jack Watts: 53

Michael Hurley: 24

He really isn't tracking as bad as people make out.... he just has a high profile.

The stats themselves are an indicator, but i think most people agree that Jack has a long way to go to reach his ceiling. In essence all of us Dees people want to see that happen.

The criticism from Carey, Malthouse and Wallace was that Watts needs to show more urgency. No one can deny they are right about this.

EDIT: Brain fade.

Edited March 6, 201213 yr by Clint Bizkit

Wrong or right?

My bad, right.