0 tackles - how is that possible?

Well i think Dawes might at least show him how to work. That said Watts was on his bike a bit yesterday. The goals he kicked in the 3rd he had been up in the back half immediate before and had run the length of the ground back to our forward line. That said he was absolutely knackered and sucking the wind - good effort to slot it considering.

But Jumbo i have to call it. I was wrong and you were right. He won't be our most important player this year (or probably ever on current performances) - not by a mile. No pushing for AA selection, now or perhaps ever. No Goddard quarter back role. Chalk it up as another completely 100% wrong call I made pre season. The flame of hope once again burnt my logic. I appreciate and respect the fact you have not crowed in any way.Respect

I thought that even though he did a few ok things yesterday his intensity, tackling and desire was deplorable. I was of the view in 2011 that he would never make it if he didn't address that aspect of his game but felt he had improved his intensity to at least an acceptable level in 2012. Well he's gone all the way back. Some his efforts, or should i say half arsed efforts were pathetic yesterday. And even though i don't think Neeld has done him any favours the blame for his lack of intensity is squarely on Watts shoulders. If only he had a tenth of Puoplos desire - or Terlichs for that matter.

What then to do with Watts. I favour him alternating between a high half forward and a wing and using his kicking skills forward of centre to snag one or goals a game and set up a few more. The rest of the time play as an outside receiver type with a license to take risks and kick into the corridor.

Most agree his intensity is his issue, however I thought his intensity was pretty good yesterday. I do believe he is asked to play as an outside midfielder when not playing forward of back, and this is why he runs at full pace into a contest and then stops 2 meters from it. He has elite skills and is probably the most naturally skilled player at the club. With our lack of outside mids, if I was coach I would be instructing him to play as a receiver when playing in the midfield. He has played very little football in the middle, yesterday he seemed to be rotating between forward, back and midfield. I think he needs to learn better judgement on when to go and get his own ball, and when to wait on the outside of the contest. If you watch Chis Judd he does the same think, he runs full pace to the contest and then stands two meters from it most of the time, Carton would prefer the ball in his hands and thus have instructed him to play as an outside mid, but when he sees the opportunity to go, when its his time to go, he goes hard. It is this that Watts needs to learn. When to go, and only ever go as hard as possible.

Edited June 3, 201312 yr by Grand New Flag

0 tackles - how is that possible?

Same amount as Birchall, Grimley, Guerra, Gibson & Cheney for the Hawks combined!

Timmy Watson yesterday hit the nail on the head when he echoed the sentiments of his old coach K.Sheedy......"If you're going to get to a contest. you have to leave an impact on that contest".
What is the point in being good at reading the play, getting to the contest. but then hanging around the outer. Not bodying up someone. Not tackle assisting. and not GETTING the ball.

Watts makes a lots of contest. But until he 'impacts' them. He'll be a plodder with 'talent' and 'potential'

And the big thing is that Dawesy WORKS HISS BLOODY BOTTOM OFF! Something which Watts often refuses to do.

Strap him to Dawesy's side and show him what is required for an AFL forward to do.

I don't agree with this. It was noticeable that Watts RAN LIKE HELL all day.

Timmy Watson yesterday hit the nail on the head when he echoed the sentiments of his old coach K.Sheedy......"If you're going to get to a contest. you have to leave an impact on that contest".

What is the point in being good at reading the play, getting to the contest. but then hanging around the outer. Not bodying up someone. Not tackle assisting. and not GETTING the ball.

Watts makes a lots of contest. But until he 'impacts' them. He'll be a plodder with 'talent' and 'potential'

Two moments stood out for me, both when the game was still up for grabs (first 10 minutes or so).

1. It was a one-on-one contest in front of the AFL Members. The ball bounced awkwardly for both players. Watts never, not for a single second, seemed like he would win the ball. Both players at one point touched the ball, but the Hawthorn player crisply managed to brush Watts off, balance his footing and drive the ball forward.

2. About 5 minutes later the same thing happened. He was playing in 2nd gear.

Either the guy lacks the confidence to excel at AFL level, or he simple has no urgency to win even the simplest of one-on-one contests.

I think that since 2009 I've seen him win maybe a handful of one-on-one battles.

Damning for a guy drafted as a KPP. He is failure of a draft pick.

With Clark, Dawes and Hogan in the Fwd line.

and

Frawley (assuming he stays), Mcdonald, Garland in the Backs

I would trade Watts for what could potentially could be a first round pick.

We could than go to the draft with three first round picks, our first rounder, potential priority pick and pick for Watts.

3 more gun mids to go with Jones, Grimes,Trengove, Viney, Toump and the potential of Kent, Taggart, Barry

Could be a win win and the begining of the midfeild we are so deperatly lacking.

Watts is a trade for me.

Trade Watts for the best midfielder we get offered for him.

A great step to getting our midfield fixed.

Yeah, I'd be playing Watts in the forward fifty for the rest of the year, even with the return of Clark. He's shown a glimmer of attack on the ball over the last two weeks. We've said it before. If he can impact contests physically, he'll become a very dominant player with increased possession. That said, going forward I see him as a player that rotates between deep forward, half forward, high half forward and the wing.

It's a good thread this though. I agree. Dawes is more of a physical player than Clark. It's great seeing a Melbourne key forward banging and crashing opponents. There was a moment there today that reminded me of Neitz's hip and shoulder on Luke McCabe over a decade ago. He has a presence.

I think he will be helped by Hogan's bash and crash too just quietly.

Clark, Dawes, Hogan, Watts and Howe. Get two B grade crumbers and we're looking incredibly dangerous down there. If Blease can lift his work rate and fitness, he might become one of those crumbers too.

dont you ever put neitz and dawes in the same sentence again, thank you.

I think it is time for Neeld to figure out the best position for Watts and play him there for a few weeks in a row. It must be hard to play different positions every week.

I'm thinking along the lines of the old "you have to spend money to make money" with the forwards we have at our disposal for 2014, Jack is trade bait for me similar to the Judd-Kennedy trade, which ended up being a win for both sides.

IMO if someone is prepared to offer us a first round pick for him take it and pass it on in a 3 way deal to get a quality mid ready to go next season