Long time reader, first time poster!

I get what Mark Neeld is trying to do, we have deficiencies in our forward line.

He has traded in Mitch Clarke, Jesse Hogan, Chris Dawes, Cam Pedersen (maybe), Scott Gumbleton (maybe).....where does this leave Jack Watts. We have invested heavily in Jack with pick #1 as a KPF but does this mean he will now become a key position backman. He received 3 Brownlow votes against Essendon playing in the backline. Is Jack happy with this arrangement because there isn't any room in the forward line.

I keep hearing rumours/murmurings that Carlton are keen on him and he has a formed a strong bond with M Malthouse. He has one more year on his contract.....will next year be another Tom Scully exit?

I hope not!

"Think of the Children..."

Going with the title of your post:

FF: Pederson Dawes Byrnes

HF: Howe Clark Blease

With backup from Sylvia, Davey and on ballers

Watts' problem is he isn't confident at leading up to the footy. He reads it beautifully in the back line, hence why he plays well there.

What we are doing is playing him there while he gets a body on him, and some confidence.

I have seen little glimpse's of what he can do, running off the back line hitting up opponents.

What we will see more of this year is Jack playing forward. He'll get the 3rd best defender, and he will play as a very high half forward, and then kicking the ball inside 30. Where Dawes and Clark will be. We haven't been able to do this until now because

1) is body wasn't big enough

2) confidence wasn't there

3) getting the 1st or 2nd defender

4) no one to kick it to

Basically all 4 thing have now come together (Watts is still too small, but acceptable now because he isn't playing against 1 and 2)

Our forward line will comprise of a deep FF (called the anchor these days) a higher FF plays inside 50/60 and a high CHF.

This will also mean that defenders when they play against us, will actually have to DEFEND for once.

Jack will have his spot on the wing or half back. Has all the assets to play the wing really, really well and in addition he is 196cm and 95kg - imagine trying to match up on him. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Watts is a prototype outside mid.

HF: Byrnes Dawes Sylvia (or Tappy)

F: Davey Clark Jetta

I agree with above - a lot of onballers will rotate through. Can't see Pederson forcing his way into the 22 yet.

Haven't got Dawes yet. Don't count your chickens. thats all i say...

The Carlton connection has already proven to be a crock of shiite, by Carlton themselves, why do people believe this crap.

1st post, I smell a troll

we i had a chat to JW he told me he played most of his junior footy on the wing. Only really played forward during those tac games.

Personally i can't see him going anywhere! There was an article on him earlier in the season, when he was dropped to the VFL and his comment was that "I’m enjoying it down back" and "I find that the ball coming towards me is helping me, and I can read the play better from down back." so if he seems to be enjoying himself down back then why would he want to change. He is a really important piece down back for us as he gives us a reliable user of it as it is leaving our def50.

As for the fwd line, with Dawes seemingly a demon now (just need to satisfy coll), and Pedersen wanting to join us too, our fwd line is getting some great depth to it and add Hogan to that list and it is really going to be a strong and reliable part of our team, no longer will we be solely relying on Clark in the fwd line to hold us up.

Gumbleton would be worth the risk too imo as he has major talent but he does have the injuries too. If he is able to shake these, and we pick him up then this could mean that pedersen (provided we get him) plays a similar role to sellar and they both drift between def/fwd line. Gumbleton would only be good to get if we don't have to offer a decent pick for him, as if it does backfire it wouldn't look pretty if we used a decent pick on him!

Neeld said we would be the hardest team to play. When we have versatile, tall players forward, on the wings and off half back, we will be incredibly hard to match up on. Defenders will have to be wary at all times. Rotations of key positions, midfielders encouraged to deliver to strong targets.....

Is it a dream, or am I starting to see a new demons reality emerging....

I can't see JW as a key forward.

To me, he's a bigger James Hird, or a smaller Adam Goodes. Mobile, and dangerous any time he's near the footy.

we i had a chat to JW he told me he played most of his junior footy on the wing. Only really played forward during those tac games.

That's correct. I saw a lot of him as a junior and he played in multiple positions (half forward, half back, wing... anywhere he would be most dangerous). I never saw him as a key forward and I was surprised that he was described as such around draft time. He certainly can play as a forward, and did so on more than a few occasions as a junior, but I thought that he would be most effective on the wing. He has a beautiful kick, his repeated sprinting ability is fantastic, he has good hands and he reads the play well. Isn't that a wing? I'm quite happy with him rotating through these roles over the next couple of years.

Why call a Jack Watts thread a forward line one? At least call a spade a spade. He says he's happy down back, he's doing a decent job down back and he's under far less scrutiny as a defender so hey... let's play him down back.

Assume - Moloney and Rivers as Free agents, Martin is traded, Green retired, Delist - Jurrah, cook, Petterd, Davis, Bennell, Bate, bartram.(minues 11)

Assume IN - Byrnes, Pedersen, Ray, Dawes, Barry, Hogan, Viney, Wines (#4), Pick 45, Pick 65 used as Nicho upgrade, Matt Thomas (Psd)

New 22 in 2013

Matt Thomas Frawley Garland

Grimes T Mcdonald Watts

Ray Wines Trengove

Sylvia Clark Howe

Pedersen Dawes Byrnes

Jamar Viney Jones

Int: Tapscott Mckenzie Dunn Sub: Blease

Fringe: Sellar, Gysberts, Morton, Davey, Spencer, Bail, Nicho, Gawn, Fitz, Jetta, Taggert, Tynan, Barry, J Macd, Strauss, Pick 45, Hogan 2014 = 39 listed (with jamar as veteran)

Edited October 12, 201212 yr by spirit of norm smith

That's correct. I saw a lot of him as a junior and he played in multiple positions (half forward, half back, wing... anywhere he would be most dangerous). I never saw him as a key forward and I was surprised that he was described as such around draft time. He certainly can play as a forward, and did so on more than a few occasions as a junior, but I thought that he would be most effective on the wing. He has a beautiful kick, his repeated sprinting ability is fantastic, he has good hands and he reads the play well. Isn't that a wing? I'm quite happy with him rotating through these roles over the next couple of years.

That's it- the wing. My all time favourite footballer Robbie Flower played wing then half back then up forward, then in all positions. Watts is the new Robbie.

Assume - Moloney and Rivers as Free agents, Martin is traded, Green retired, Delist - Jurrah, cook, Petterd, Davis, Bennell, Bate, bartram.(minues 11)

Assume IN - Byrnes, Pedersen, Ray, Dawes, Barry, Hogan, Viney, Wines (#4), Pick 45, Pick 65 used as Nicho upgrade, Matt Thomas (Psd)

New 22 in 2013

Matt Thomas Frawley Garland

Grimes T Mcdonald Watts

Ray Wines Trengove

Sylvia Clark Howe

Pedersen Dawes Byrnes

Jamar Viney Jones

Int: Tapscott Mckenzie Dunn Sub: Blease

Fringe: Sellar, Gysberts, Morton, Davey, Spencer, Bail, Nicho, Gawn, Fitz, Jetta, Taggert, Tynan, Barry, J Macd, Strauss, Pick 45, Hogan 2014 = 39 listed (with jamar as veteran)

I like this, but I think Davey can find something again and be a regular. Pedereson is competing for the same spot as Sellar and it's not in the forward line IMHO. I hope Davey can be dangerous in the forward pocket again rather then the midfield and apply intense pressure on a forward press.

I suspect Taggert will be included more and Wines (if selected in ND, I actually really like Stringer) will be fringe for the next couple of years. Viney will probably burn out towards the end of this year, but we actually have depth for once in that part of the ground.

gee that team looks a lot better doesnt it. i think we could be suprised at the rate of climb up the ladder once it starts

I hate to say it but there is cause for optimism every single off-season until the disappointment starts when the season begins. Let's hope it changes this time around!!

The Carlton connection has already proven to be a crock of shiite, by Carlton themselves, why do people believe this crap.

1st post, I smell a troll

Re read post. What part of this suggests this person is a troll?? Simply possed a couple of questions.

Back on topic Mitch Clarke is the man you build your team around so what ever works I guess Dawes will be handy not so sure on pederson looks to be very Simular type to sellar. We do lack a crumber could this be jetta, Davey or burns? IMO watts has alot of ability to be our utility if required can play back forward or midfield but I see his best position on the wing

Edited October 12, 201212 yr by Daz's Dee's

Watts' problem is he isn't confident at leading up to the footy. He reads it beautifully in the back line, hence why he plays well there.

What we are doing is playing him there while he gets a body on him, and some confidence.

I have seen little glimpse's of what he can do, running off the back line hitting up opponents.

What we will see more of this year is Jack playing forward. He'll get the 3rd best defender, and he will play as a very high half forward, and then kicking the ball inside 30. Where Dawes and Clark will be. We haven't been able to do this until now because

1) is body wasn't big enough

2) confidence wasn't there

3) getting the 1st or 2nd defender

4) no one to kick it to

Basically all 4 thing have now come together (Watts is still too small, but acceptable now because he isn't playing against 1 and 2)

Our forward line will comprise of a deep FF (called the anchor these days) a higher FF plays inside 50/60 and a high CHF.

This will also mean that defenders when they play against us, will actually have to DEFEND for once.

Like this post, i like Watts in defence but think he has potential to go forward especially as the 3rd tall and when he gets a bit bigger.

Will be very Goddard like imo can go forward or back, be the 3rd tall or the sweeping back player, good disposal ect

That's it- the wing. My all time favourite footballer Robbie Flower played wing then half back then up forward, then in all positions. Watts is the new Robbie.

Wow. I certainly hope so. I only saw Flower at the end of his career but he was incredible. I can't believe that he only won one B&F. How is that possible? Mind you, that is one more than my namesake.

In any case, I think that Watts has a lot more in common with Howe than he does with Clarke. And that certainly doesn't make him a bad player, just a different player to the one that many people thought we were drafting.

Assume - Moloney and Rivers as Free agents, Martin is traded, Green retired, Delist - Jurrah, cook, Petterd, Davis, Bennell, Bate, bartram.(minues 11)

Assume IN - Byrnes, Pedersen, Ray, Dawes, Barry, Hogan, Viney, Wines (#4), Pick 45, Pick 65 used as Nicho upgrade, Matt Thomas (Psd)

New 22 in 2013

Matt Thomas Frawley Garland

Grimes T Mcdonald Watts

Ray Wines Trengove

Sylvia Clark Howe

Pedersen Dawes Byrnes

Jamar Viney Jones

Int: Tapscott Mckenzie Dunn Sub: Blease

Fringe: Sellar, Gysberts, Morton, Davey, Spencer, Bail, Nicho, Gawn, Fitz, Jetta, Taggert, Tynan, Barry, J Macd, Strauss, Pick 45, Hogan 2014 = 39 listed (with jamar as veteran)

Hey, that's a pretty good team on paper. I'd say the only thing it's missing is a second zippy forward crumber. Outside of Byrnes there's not a lot of foot-speed in the forward half. I wouldn't rule out a Sylvia trade just yet either, personally.

gee that team looks a lot better doesnt it. i think we could be suprised at the rate of climb up the ladder once it starts

That team looks like a team that would finish anywhere between 13th and 10th. I'd expect to win between 8 and 10 games too.

I'm just happy that we are now getting the people we want, instead of missing out to big brown visy paper bags.