Watts Is Better Than Hurley

[Range Rover 1,935]

Calling it definitively.

He's already a better player than Hurley and has far more upside.

More skill, better awareness and now you can perceptibly see his confidence starting to rise.

We got this one right.

Edited June 2, 2012 by Range Rover

[DeeZee 7,397]

Yes he is!

[Dee Fan 3,247]

Calling it definitively.

He's already a better player than Hurley and has far more upside.

We got this one right.

You got that right, great game by Jack tonight will shut a few up.

[PeterJames 46]

Hurley's kicking let him down big time tonight. Love his attack on the footy will be a very good player. Watts was very good, missed a couple of marks late in the game but wasn't costly.

[fired up 77]

If you had a player with Jacks, skills and smarts and had Hurleys aggression you would have a Wayne Carey.

[Chook 15,013]

Michael Hurley has a competetive nature about him that Jack Watts gets criticised for not having, but I can count about four or five times tonight when Jack gathered the team's wits at crucial moments, reminding them to calm down and think for a second. That's Jack Watts' strength. His contemplative nature.

[Maldonboy38 6,403]

Not much between them, really. What Watts has in poise and awareness, Hurley has in physical presence. The difference at the moment is that Watts is helping a side win and Hurley is being beaten.

Also, I reckon the commentators were wrong tonight. Watts was not the spare man in defence. He tackled, spoilt, punched the ball, peeled of his man, and a couple of times went third man up. His game was much better than a cheap loose man in defence game.

Edited June 2, 2012 by Maldonboy38

[jumbo returns 6,741]

I saw JW push and shove tonight and show some attitude.

I've been waiting for this surliness for a long time.

[JT9 104]

this was never in doubt. Hurleys good, but Watts is just that much skillful. Taking on Jobe one on one at the end won us the game, won a contest no other player has won this year yet

[Forest Demon 4,681]

If you had a player with Jacks, skills and smarts and had Hurleys aggression you would have a Wayne Carey.

Pretty much what I was thinking. If these two were somehow scientifically joined together they would be pretty much unstoppable.

Love the way Hurley leads out and hits the ball and just crashes through any bodies in his way, but he lacks the polish with the ball that Jack has.

Still not sure he is the better player, but he has strung some good games together down back over the last 3 weeks.

[Forest Demon 4,681]

Not much between them, really. What Watts has in poise and awareness, Hurley has in physical presence. The difference at the moment is that Watts is helping a side win and Hurley is being beaten.

Also, I reckon the commentators were wrong tonight. Watts was not the spare man in defence. He tackled, spoilt, punched the ball, peeled of his man, and a couple of times went third man up. His game was much better than a cheap loose man in defence game.

Yep, he played on Monfries most of the night. BT and the other dimwits in the commentary box were too busy talking [censored] about each other to actually make any insightful comments on the game. Just wish they would cross to the boundary with Lingy and leave it with him, he is the only one who is interested in talking actual footy i.e. matchups etc.

[Dan Fantastik 50]

They are both going to be excellent players. Both essendon and melbourne should be both be happy with there selections. Watts's confidence is growing by the game.

[Matt Demon 1,464]

I do find it amusing that Watts was drafted as a KPF & Hurley was drafted as a KPB.

[rpfc 28,477]

Who, in the dying seconds of a slogfest that the player in question played well in - beat Jobe Watson in some one-on-one duels with the ball on the ground?

[Lifelong Demon 75]

I reckon Jack will play in defense for all of this year to learn the aggression. W know with his accuracy that he will kick goals whenever we get him into the forwards with that aggression!

[Je Roos Salem 661]

Hurley can't kick and melted under pressure in that last quarter, Watts on the other hand, stayed cool and won a couple of one on one contests at crucial times

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

Nailed this pick. Jack Watts is the future of the MFC - and I'm happy about that.

[Real Demon 232]

Watts is a beauty!

Nick who????

[BAMF 4,353]

Hurley was no where near his best and has been in and out with injuries for a long time now. lets not base everything on one match.

Watts was great tonight though. I was really happy with him all night. His kicking is a great assest off half back. He is nowhere near as big in the chest as Hurley. One more preseason should see him big enough to play forward more.

[Matt Demon 1,464]

He looks like a totally different player down back. He looks faster, harder, plays with more urgency, reads It so much better playing behind the ball. It's amazing what happens when you have to be accountable for someone, all of a sudden you cant just cruise around at half pace. Keep him there for the year or as long as it takes or until all of those assets I mentioned are considered the norm. Well played Killer!

Edited June 2, 2012 by J-Riv

[Guest José Mourinho]

What a difference a single win makes to some people's opinions!

I'm pleased, but I'll wait for consistency of performance before annointing Watts a champion.

[mmc 18]

Was given BOG by TripleMMM. Such an intelligent footballer. Pure silk. Can't wait to see him in four-year's time.

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

I have never been more proud to walk around the MCG with the number 4 on my back.

[deejammin' 2,370]

What a difference a single win makes to some people's opinions!

I'm pleased, but I'll wait for consistency of performance before annointing Watts a champion.

Three consecutive games is pretty consistant in my opinion, makes a few mistakes but is growing as a footballer and has the prepensity to tear the game apart. He's been brilliant since he's been back in the team against three very good sides under immense pressure. Credit where credit is due.

[Range Rover 1,935]

What a difference a single win makes to some people's opinions!

I'm pleased, but I'll wait for consistency of performance before annointing Watts a champion.

No-one's anointing him a champion ... yet. But he is beginning to blossom and I know who I'd have my money on if only one of them (Watts or Hurley) is to become one.

Agree with J-Riv and some others in this thread. Leave him down back for the rest of the season.

Neeld wants a premiership defense. Watts may just become the lynchpin of it.

Edited June 2, 2012 by Range Rover