What about the time Watts sticked up for Rivers in that wrestle with Lovett-Murray

It's much easier to play in defence and for now it's where Watts is suited.

Btw, Hurley is a good kick. Lucky for us he had a shocker.

I've seen Hurley play a few times this year and in every game he has shanked multiple relatively easy shots at goal. No doubt he will be a good player but I doubt that he is going to be one of these "once in a generation" spearheads that he was being touted as like Dunstall, Lockett or Lloyd. Watts will end up the better player due to his composure and skill, of that I have no doubt. BTW Hurley has great attack on the ball and player when he can see what is in front of him but on more than one occasion last night couldn't pick up an easy ball to nail a winning goal in the last quarter when the heat was on and he didn't know what was coming from behind.

In all seriousness, if you had to choose one of them - today - to put in a hypothetical side moving forward. Who would you pick?

Watts has more talent than Hurley. Hurley is a better defender than a forward imo. I like Hurley, but the hype that has surrounded him has been ridiculous. He's one of the most overrated young players in the AFL.

Who would I pick ? That's up to Watts. Right now he's got a long way to go. Garland went forward because the coach was desperately trying to find someone else that could take pressure off Clark and take a mark and kick a goal. How do you reckon Watts has been travelling when he trained all preseason next to Clark in the forward-line to be that player ?

Right now I wouldn't want the ball in any other players hands in the back half. Full credit to the way he's playing his role.

EDIT: when I say that Hurley is overrated it's because the hype about him has been so over the top and so premature by media commentators. I really like him as a player. Love the way he competes.

Good to see Lingy go to Jack at the end of the game. Some instant recognition for the kid.

I thought he was really good at controlling the tempo of the game early on when Essendon tried to pick up the pace and create turn overs.

Jack is going to be one of the most highly regarded players in the league in 3-4 years. Let's not compare him to anyone but instead appreciate him for what he is.

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.

Not the 1st time Hurley's kicking has let him and his club down........

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.

Let's get Lingy away from these dimwits and down to Melbourne where he can be of some use.

Not the 1st time Hurley's kicking has let him and his club down........

Haha very well played!

A somewhat ridiculous thread.

Yes, last night Watts was great and Hurley was poor, and yes, in the clinches, Hurley mucked up about 5 times (to my great delight, mind you) and Watts simultaneously stood up. His ball-handling of a wet, slippery ball was outstanding.

For the record, I believe Watts will be the better player overall, and right now, I don't think there's too much between them. But Hurley, presently, is better. One match doesn't change that. Hurley has a booming kick, off both sides, and a strong pair of hands. We didn't see it last night, sure, but before Franklin's 13 yesterday he was ineffectual for about a month. Players go up and down.

Anyway, I loved Watts' game last night. He can play HB and free up Grimes to play in the midfield, which I love seeing.

Both were recruited to be KPF's. At this stage Hurley is the only one that looks the part. Watts I don't think is going to make it at this stage as a KPF but still looks like becoming a great player but not for what he was recruited for.

What about the time Watts sticked up for Rivers in that wrestle with Lovett-Murray

I'm sorry, what?

What about the time Watts sticked up for Rivers in that wrestle with Lovett-Murray

Yes he did and was promptly sat on his arze.

Both were recruited to be KPF's. At this stage Hurley is the only one that looks the part. Watts I don't think is going to make it at this stage as a KPF but still looks like becoming a great player but not for what he was recruited for.

Jack who gives 2 rats where he was drafted if any player can influence the outcome of a game/many games from any position on the ground?? Did Watts have more of an influence on the outcome of the game?? He played better, bring on more confidence and consistency in any role!

Yes he did and was promptly sat on his arze.

One N L-M is not one Jack should have a go at, L-M can swing the knuckles, Jack back to Beamers boxing camp maybe

A somewhat ridiculous thread.

Yes, last night Watts was great and Hurley was poor, and yes, in the clinches, Hurley mucked up about 5 times (to my great delight, mind you) and Watts simultaneously stood up. His ball-handling of a wet, slippery ball was outstanding.

For the record, I believe Watts will be the better player overall, and right now, I don't think there's too much between them. But Hurley, presently, is better. One match doesn't change that. Hurley has a booming kick, off both sides, and a strong pair of hands. We didn't see it last night, sure, but before Franklin's 13 yesterday he was ineffectual for about a month. Players go up and down.

Anyway, I loved Watts' game last night. He can play HB and free up Grimes to play in the midfield, which I love seeing.

`

Thats what people are saying, Hurley is rated of his "franklin type" games and there are not enough of them, especially in the last 18 months. Watts has built a consistency, not just the last 3 games but second half of last year too imo.

Getting a bit ahead of ourselves here.

Watching Hurley rag doll Jared Rivers and his ferocious presence, I'd take Hurley over Watts 10 times out of 10, and that shouldn't be a slur on Jack.

Only Melbourne supporters would argue otherwise.

Getting a bit ahead of ourselves here.

Watching Hurley rag doll Jared Rivers and his ferocious presence, I'd take Hurley over Watts 10 times out of 10, and that shouldn't be a slur on Jack.

Only Melbourne supporters would argue otherwise.

Why?

There is nothing to stop Watts from further developing his strength and adding that to his game too.

We've seen it happen with plenty of others over the years.

What doesn't normally happen, is players finding skill and vision that wasn't there before.

That meme about Watts v Hird reads like this now...

Getting a bit ahead of ourselves here.

Watching Hurley rag doll Jared Rivers and his ferocious presence, I'd take Hurley over Watts 10 times out of 10, and that shouldn't be a slur on Jack.

Only Melbourne supporters would argue otherwise.

Watching jack watts clean disposal, quick movement and smart decision making when using the ball, based on last nights performance of watts and Hurley, I'd take watts over Hurley, 10 times out of 10, and that's not a slur on Hurley!

I am a Melbourne supporter, and Hurley is if not the most overrated player in the league, he is definitely one of them! Any time he got near the pill last night the commentators were up and about how he just did the greatest thing ever, nearly every time the ball fell out and we got the turnover! Hurley was ineffective and useless last night, not saying that he is always, but he was!

Hurley is to Lockett as Watts is to G Lyon with one year in age between the both.

Garland went forward because the coach was desperately trying to find someone else that could take pressure off Clark and take a mark and kick a goal. How do you reckon Watts has been travelling when he trained all preseason next to Clark in the forward-line to be that player ?

Moving Garland to the forward line is a brilliant move, yet shifting Watts to the backline makes Watts a failure?

Why?

There is nothing to stop Watts from further developing his strength and adding that to his game too.

We've seen it happen with plenty of others over the years.

What doesn't normally happen, is players finding skill and vision that wasn't there before.

Watching jack watts clean disposal, quick movement and smart decision making when using the ball, based on last nights performance of watts and Hurley, I'd take watts over Hurley, 10 times out of 10, and that's not a slur on Hurley!

I am a Melbourne supporter, and Hurley is if not the most overrated player in the league, he is definitely one of them! Any time he got near the pill last night the commentators were up and about how he just did the greatest thing ever, nearly every time the ball fell out and we got the turnover! Hurley was ineffective and useless last night, not saying that he is always, but he was!

Of course you're going to argue, you're Melbourne supporters. Let me get this straight, Watts had a good game and Hurley had a bad game, so Watts is better? Noooooope.

Judging by the ejaculation on D'land it's Watts who is soon to be the most overrated player in the league (I say this with my tongue in my cheek people). People say Watts just has to develop his strength, which will develop his killer instinct. I doubt he will. Morton hasn't, Davey hasn't. I'm not saying it can't be done, but it is very difficult. However, Hurley just needs to learn how to kick straight, and he's a pretty good kick already. That's why I'd take Hurley. However, perfect world, I'd take them both.

St Kilda had 2 #1 picks, Nick Riewoldt and Brendan Goddard. Would you take the KPF or the super-talented defender? I certainly see similarities between Watts and Goddard.

Anyway, I am just arguing because I vehemently disagree with this thread. Jack had a really good game last night, and so did McDonald, Rivers (who was absolutely fantastic) and Sellar. The backline was exemplary.

Of course you're going to argue, you're Melbourne supporters. Let me get this straight, Watts had a good game and Hurley had a bad game, so Watts is better? Noooooope.

But your point was that because Hurley rag dolled rivers you would take him ahead, I was stating that based on last nights performance I would take watts ahead of Hurley.

Based on career as a whole currently Hurley is ahead of watts

Based on skill level watts is ahead of Hurley

Based on body size Hurley is ahead of watts

Based on potential watts is ahead of Hurley

It just depends what you want in a player for your opinion of who you would rather.

A 196cm, 90 kilo lad, with 2.8 20 m sprints and precision kicking and good decision making, does seem like someone who I would want on my list.

the main point for me is that Hurley is supposedly some spearhead goal-machine, but look at the stats, his side is 8-2, with an average wining margin of 6 goals and the bloke has kicked one goal a week, and has less than 14 possessions on average. That's 10 goals out of 149. Nate Jones has kicked the same amount! Watts on the other hand is in a really battling side and performing way better. Also he is a year younger which has obvious impacts on the physical comparison.

Hurley has missed a few games, to be fair.

Hurley has missed a few games, to be fair.

sorry, youre correct - 7 games for 10 goals. Yeah but still.