Birchall is the benchmark for half back at this point in time. JW is closer to Birchall than many have noticed, especially given the difference in what they have to kick to. Birchall gets more of the ball and uses it slightly better (he's one of the best in the league) but the key difference at this stage is the quality of tackling. However, JW has him covered in the air, which means he has the potential to overtake Birchall eventually.

I think JW will bridge the gap and I will monitor the comparison closely in 2013.

Birchall has courage.

The Watts baggers on this forum are really starting to bore me.

Im sticking by the kid, hopefully stick it up some of you so called " supporters" one day.

Where d.barry is and when he will get onto the track?

Quite possibly doing school stuff (exams)?

We must not forget that Greg Denham called all our new recruits "Junk" last week.

May they all kick arze in 2013.

Yeah but acording to him Richmond picking up Knites was the best pick up of the decade.

I still don't understand why he hates us so much, we can never do anything right acordong to him.

The Watts baggers on this forum are really starting to bore me.

Im sticking by the kid, hopefully stick it up some of you so called " supporters" one day.

Did you also show the same faith to Juice Newton or Bate?

Wouldn't be very fair if you hadn't

I was at training this morning. I am from the bush and was quite excited being there for the first time. Had a good chat to Theo from this board. From what I saw, Watts looks very fit. Davey was there for a while with Jordie Mac and two others, doing close in handball on the net.

Col Sylvia was there as well, doing some end to end kicking with a trainer.

Pedersen is a big unit. He was quite vocal in the drills and Rodan was yelling encouragement and is fitting in nicely by the looks.

Some of the drills were pretty full on and pretty much at full pace.

As mentioned previously Jamar was in pretty good nick.

One of the fittest I saw was Lynden Dunn, He is really looking good, dunno if he has lost weight or what but he looked toned and ready to go.

Saw Dawes early on running laps, didn't see him much after that and I had to go shortly before the press conference.

Quite a bit to like about our team going in to 2013.

I really enjoyed seeing the team train.

I was at training this morning. I am from the bush and was quite excited being there for the first time. Had a good chat to Theo from this board. From what I saw, Watts looks very fit. Davey was there for a while with Jordie Mac and two others, doing close in handball on the net.

Col Sylvia was there as well, doing some end to end kicking with a trainer.

Pedersen is a big unit. He was quite vocal in the drills and Rodan was yelling encouragement and is fitting in nicely by the looks.

Some of the drills were pretty full on and pretty much at full pace.

As mentioned previously Jamar was in pretty good nick.

One of the fittest I saw was Lynden Dunn, He is really looking good, dunno if he has lost weight or what but he looked toned and ready to go.

Saw Dawes early on running laps, didn't see him much after that and I had to go shortly before the press conference.

Quite a bit to like about our team going in to 2013.

I really enjoyed seeing the team train.

Thanks very much bd !!

Of 131 posts on this thread, this is one of the only training reviews.

I'm happy to read any review from anyone who's at training.

Did you also show the same faith to Juice Newton or Bate?

Wouldn't be very fair if you hadn't

No i saw Newton and Bate a good honest battlers with no real special attributes

Watts however has fantastic vision,very good skills, and great pace for his size.(and he is still very young)

A. His had 4 seasons already. He should already be a very good player for us.

B. His a #1 draft pick, he should be a super star for us. Like the Goddards, Riewoldts, NikNats and Murphys

How many Goddards, Riewoldts, NIk Nats and Murphy's are there?

And when did NikNat become a superstar?

for the very reason I outlined.. he still gets pushed off the ball in tight etc. Coming over or across hes fine but he needs greater strength..that simple.

But for about 5 kg hes the same as Nick. Nick DOES have that extra muscle, he doesnt get moved so easily.

I, and I note many others here from time to time , just want him to be a little bigger, not goliath like. Hed play more confidently Im sure if he was.

Your real strength comes from your core and your mind.

They will have Jack working a lot on his core strength. This is what will give him the strength to compete but it won't show on his biceps. Then there is his mind which also needs to believe in his ability to use his body to compete.

Bulk means little without vote strength.

What training thread...........

thx for the few related posts ppl, any INFO is good to read.

One issue Watts has been criticised for has been his aggression and not being a mongrel. I saw a side to Jack when he was easily beaten by Swan on the goal line resulting in a Swan/Collingwood goal. He may of been beaten by a far superior and stronger player in Swan, but Jack was so upset he screamed out loud. It showed that he cared and hated losing the contest. If this continues then Jack will become a far better player.

Watts is only a victim of other peoples expectations that was fed to them by the club when he was played way before he was ready, and the club promoting him as the messiah. He is a very good player who may turn into an A grader. I believe the clubs new direction/culture will result into a player who wants to win every contest and who will work hard to get the best out of himself. In reality Jack is still a baby and is still learning his craft.

Very impressed with dawesys return, looks fit, spoke well.....can anyone tell me

Where d.barry is and when he will get onto the track?

My thought is that D barry has spent the last 6 months away from his folks and family and might get some leave being so young, my guess is in the NT for a few weeks and could be back at any time really, cannot expect him to go straight from school and TAC away from his family and expect him to hit the training for another 12 months or so without a break imo. hope to see him soon though.

Quite possibly doing school stuff (exams)?

Would have thought Barry wouldn't be able to join us until after the draft?

Birchall has courage.

Birchall never had the burden of expectation as being a future champion KPF, nor has he done anything remarkable in-so-far as being a key rebounder full of the confidence you would get from playing in a top 4 side.

Watts time will come as the Dee's become a more disciplined and skillful side.

IMO, (and given he his a few years younger than Birchall,) he will surpass GB as a more skillful and courageous player.

One issue Watts has been criticised for has been his aggression and not being a mongrel. I saw a side to Jack when he was easily beaten by Swan on the goal line resulting in a Swan/Collingwood goal. He may of been beaten by a far superior and stronger player in Swan, but Jack was so upset he screamed out loud. It showed that he cared and hated losing the contest. If this continues then Jack will become a far better player.

I saw the same thing in a game at Casey shortly before he had his debut. People seem to take his affable exterior as a lack of desire. I saw him grab a ground ball, run around the outside of the defence in the pocket and hit the turn so fast he lost traction and skidded into the fence. Screamed and pounded the ground in frustration, knowing he had them beaten and just couldn't make that last turn to get a line on the goals. I said then, this kid WANTS it.

Did you also show the same faith to Juice Newton or Bate?

Wouldn't be very fair if you hadn't

haha worst post ever...

I was at training this morning. I am from the bush and was quite excited being there for the first time. Had a good chat to Theo from this board. From what I saw, Watts looks very fit. Davey was there for a while with Jordie Mac and two others, doing close in handball on the net.

Col Sylvia was there as well, doing some end to end kicking with a trainer.

Pedersen is a big unit. He was quite vocal in the drills and Rodan was yelling encouragement and is fitting in nicely by the looks.

Some of the drills were pretty full on and pretty much at full pace.

As mentioned previously Jamar was in pretty good nick.

One of the fittest I saw was Lynden Dunn, He is really looking good, dunno if he has lost weight or what but he looked toned and ready to go.

Saw Dawes early on running laps, didn't see him much after that and I had to go shortly before the press conference.

Quite a bit to like about our team going in to 2013.

I really enjoyed seeing the team train.

Thanks for the report on what actually went on........but a bit concerned that some seemed to be only doing virtual drills, on the net :-)

Thanks for the report on what actually went on........but a bit concerned that some seemed to be only doing virtual drills, on the net :-)

I mean this with all due respect.

The drills on the net business, and the easy going running stuff that people seem to be concerned with is interesting. I find it interesting because people want them to be doing 100% hard as you can running from this early on in the pre season.

Remember they have to go to Darwin and do hard training up there in a week or soonish, and it's what... week 2 of preseason? they are still in the analysis and specific individual training part of it all.

Whenever you're concerned just think, this is their job, Misson has trained the australian cricket team and st.kilda to relative success and try and look at the whole picture.

Negative spin or different opinion to yours?

How about you learn to live with it or you [censored] off?

Its no skin off my back.

If you want to settle and say good things about Watts then go ahead but as far as I am concerned he has not nearly performed well enough to warrant him being taken at #1 over his 4 years so far.

We have been ladder dwellers for half a decade.

And what team doesn't dwell on the ladder?

haha worst post ever...

Did you also show the same faith to Juice Newton or Bate?

Wouldn't be very fair if you hadn't

Spot on Stuie

I mean this with all due respect.

The drills on the net business, and the easy going running stuff that people seem to be concerned with is interesting. I find it interesting because people want them to be doing 100% hard as you can running from this early on in the pre season.

Remember they have to go to Darwin and do hard training up there in a week or soonish, and it's what... week 2 of preseason? they are still in the analysis and specific individual training part of it all.

Whenever you're concerned just think, this is their job, Misson has trained the australian cricket team and st.kilda to relative success and try and look at the whole picture.

Yep, totally missed that joke...

Would have thought Barry wouldn't be able to join us until after the draft?

He's allowed to join us at any time, just as Hogan has. He is a Demon and the draft has no bearing on that. I assume he's still up in Ballarat taking care of his VCEs before joining us.

Yes the force is strong my dawes.

May the forwards be with you.

And to our onballers...'Use the forwards'.

Edited November 14, 201212 yr by La Dee-vina Comedia

May the forwards be with you.

And to our onballers...'Use the forwards'.

'The forwards surrounds us and penetrates us; they bind the galaxy together.'

That one didn't work...

Nerds.