...blokes like Watts copping all the flack, despite clearly making progress. Then you've got a guy like Kruezer, who is consistently hailed by Carlton fans (at least the ones I know) and some press, as an A-grader. One of the most ineffective and overrated players in the competition. Though, as I tweeted Emma Quayle the other day, he escapes criticism. Then there's another guy - Bryce Gibbs - as soft as butter, but it's Watts who is under the microscope every time (apparently the commentators on TV were into him today).

I'm not saying we can't question someone like Watts' development, but don't get sucked in by all the media hyperbole. All it demonstrates is a lack of intelligence and foresight. In Jack's case, the media attention is particularly severe. There's no doubt Jack needs to improve on his hardness at the contest, but his decision-making and disposal are usually right on the money. He is class and with the addition of toughness, his ability would be unquestioned.

PS. Mods - I have no idea if this warrants a topic of its own, but I thought I'd share it, nevertheless.

Edit. Spelling.

Edited May 27, 201213 yr by AdamFarr

I think your probably right. Watts is getting a lot of the ball so more posessions may mean more mistakes by default. he did some great things but some silly things.

You know what annoys me? Losing. The difference between Watts and Gibbs is that Gibbs is in a good side and Watts is in a shit one. If we were at the opposite end of the ladder, I doubt anyone would even care if Watts was soft.

I think your probably right. Watts is getting a lot of the ball so more posessions may mean more mistakes by default. he did some great things but some silly things.

I'd say he made three poor decisions today and one poor effort at attack on the footy. Other than that, I saw him tackle, I saw him deliver pin-point-passes all over the shop and win a couple of clearances. He was definitely in or top 5 or 6 today. In a half decent performance and effort from the team, that is a good sign. Of course, he still a long way to go, but that is only a testament to his upside.

You know what annoys me? Losing. The difference between Watts and Gibbs is that Gibbs is in a good side and Watts is in a [censored] one. If we were at the opposite end of the ladder, I doubt anyone would even care if Watts was soft.

Absolutely spot on.

What's more, Gibbs has someone of the ilk of Chris Judd to look up at. Who does Watts have?

What's more, Gibbs has someone of the ilk of Chris Judd to look up at. Who does Watts have?

Chris Judd looks up to Bruce Mathison.

Hopefull Watt aims higher .

Agree with Gibbs-not a no1 pick at all but everyone thinks he's great .Watts is a future superstar .

You know what annoys me? Losing. The difference between Watts and Gibbs is that Gibbs is in a good side and Watts is in a [censored] one. If we were at the opposite end of the ladder, I doubt anyone would even care if Watts was soft.

Yep. That's it in a nutshell.

The media, just like the supporters, continue to view Watts through '1st pick saviour of the downtrodden Dees' tinted glasses. He is never going to cop a fair deal. And the funny thing is, I think he personally knows, and accepts, that a lot better than some some of the supporters do.

Call me crazy but what I have see the last two weeks and how I beleive Neeld is with him, I think Im seeing a Sam Fisher type in the making

Goddard was the same, Walker was no 1, and he has not set the world on fire.

Call me crazy but what I have see the last two weeks and how I beleive Neeld is with him, I think Im seeing a Sam Fisher type in the making

It's another Saint, BJ Goddard, that I think he will emulate.

-Picked number 1 in the draft in '04.

-Much maligned by supporters and media for his first few years. Considered talented but soft.

-By '09 was one of the best utilities in league, a Brownlow favourite and an All Australian.

-In '12 is now a dual All Australian, should have won a Norm Smith, and every team would sell Judd's grandma for him when free agency kicks in.

He is tracking perfectly so far ...

Goddard was the same, Walker was no 1, and he has not set the world on fire.

Beat me to the punch, condemned.

Chris Judd looks up to Bruce Mathison.

Like your call. Very true.

Goddard was the same, Walker was no 1, and he has not set the world on fire.

Walker was #2. But I get (and agree with) your point...

1. Cooney. 3. Sylvia. 4. Ray. 5. McLean...

All I want from Watts is put body on body or make a collision in a 1 on 1 marking contest.

Agreed. I've started to vehemently defend Jack at games. So called opposition fans love sticking the boots into him, but it's the Melbourne fans it really annoys when I champion for him. I encourage all our supporters to applaud him every time he does something good. I think you'll see he's coming along well.

Also I think some people need to understand his strengths. He's not a pack splitter. The club hasn't developed his body for that. The fault lies with the club if they wanted him to be that player. If you don't agree go and have a look at Buddy Franklin in the U18 championships. He's a scrawny little kid. Now he's a giant.

Jack is being bred for something but I think it's changed a few times since he was recruited.

Agreed. I've started to vehemently defend Jack at games. So called opposition fans love sticking the boots into him, but it's the Melbourne fans it really annoys when I champion for him. I encourage all our supporters to applaud him every time he does something good. I think you'll see he's coming along well.

Also I think some people need to understand his strengths. He's not a pack splitter. The club hasn't developed his body for that. The fault lies with the club if they wanted him to be that player. If you don't agree go and have a look at Buddy Franklin in the U18 championships. He's a scrawny little kid. Now he's a giant.

Jack is being bred for something but I think it's changed a few times since he was recruited.

I still think Franklin looks skinny. It's across the chest that his strength comes from. Another year or two (at the stage where Buddy started to dominate the competition) and Jack will have a similar frame. No, he's not built like Brown or Cloke, but has the same body, arguably even bigger than Franklin's physique.

Edited May 27, 201213 yr by AdamFarr

Goddard was the same, Walker was no 1, and he has not set the world on fire.

I noted this on another post - people forget Goddard took a reasonable amount of time to get where he is. Charting Goddard's development - Jack is not far behind if behind at all.

I still think too much emphasis is placed on draft order. Ok some picks are better than others, but remember the only thing players have proven when they are drafted is that they can play against other players their own age. Draft order is not always an absolute indicator of how they will play against seasoned veterans or under the spotlight of AFL pressure.

Seeing Watts get out-muscled by Bootsma annoys me more.

6 Goals a game really annoys me.

Seeing Watts get out-muscled by Bootsma annoys me more.

What Bootsma lacks in size he makes up for in aggression. He'll be a handy player.

I think we are developing well.

experience is a killer. Blease played what his 8th game yesterday? he looks ok he may look pretty good in his 58th

What annoys me is our final quarter where guys who have been held well for most of the day get let off the hook and get cheap goals, and then go on to celebrate with the crowd. We may have lost, but Carlton are not going to go as well as their supporters think!

Also very frustrated by a few bounces that just did not go our way today, like the time Tapscott would have run into an open goal, only for the ball to ounce sideways or the final quarter where Rivers attacked the ball for it to go sideways for a handpass to Mr. Frontrunner himself Betts.

Also annoyed by our lack of team play in the last quarter where we should have scored 2 goals if we had hanballed to players in a better position for an easy goal instead of flying shots that hit the post, only for Carlton to take the ball sytraight down the ground for a goal. Would have meant a 5 goals to 2 last quarter and a more respectable margin.

I am annoyed right now that i actually do not feel the MFC is part of the AFL when i look at the current ladder.

It is a very weird feeling.

He looks good in defence.

I would have thought a couple of non-negotiables playing AFL footy (and earning $100+k) is possibly attacking contests, definitely attacking the ball. Bail gave him a [censored] kick across goal yesterday, but to see him back away from the ball - instead of running into it - because he sensed Mitch Robinson coming was downright awful.

It was a lovely little painful moment because what Jack lacks is what Mitch Robinson has in spades.