Jack Watts: Four years on

[Bring Back Barassi 552]

When (if) Dawes and Clark come back into the forward line, drawing the top 2 defenders, Watts becomes a serious weapon at HFF.

You could see how much of an effect it had when Dawes was subbed off.

[whatwhat say what 22,308]

Its not bad recruiting - it is woeful development.

He has the sort of skills that every side would crave in a bloke of his size.

His lack of effort remains - lack of intensity at the ball and the man. When he goes to tackle he just sticks an arm out as a bloke runs part. Parkin on abc made particular note of it at one stage, effectively saying he won't be regarded well by coaches until he shows some effort and intensity at times and in situations like that.

My biggest complaint remains his sheer inability through desire to impact the contest.

He looks so very, very lazy.

[btdemon 482]

His first option is always to use his hands rather than put his body in. It probably comes from his basketball background. He is incredibly clever in this area and I see him do some amazing things. It seems to be his first instinct. However, he has been in footy long enough now to know that he has to put his body in as well. It might have been enough at junior level to use his skills but now he is just being brushed aside. He rarely sticks a tackle and doesn't seem to know how to use his size. He loses his feet when he has to go body on body. The club needs to bring somebody like Carey or Dermie in to show him how to do it. We know that he doesn't have mongrel but his lack of willingness for the physical contest will kill his career unless he learns how to overcome it mentally.

[jazza 1,323]

second quarter right in front of me , i sadly watched him drop the head in a marking contest AGAIN

not sure whether thats confidence or gutz

[PJ_12345 1,098]

Watts completely lost me yesterday.

Again I saw him backing away from contests - weak footy.

There was one instance in a pocket where he was running into a contest where another Collingwood player was going to shepherd him and he jsut backed completely off.

Ironically 2 minutes later, same pocket, same situation, Davey was running in and could see Cloke was shepherding and he still ran in, provided some pressure and took the bump.

He doesn't shepherd, he doesn't spread, he doesn't run hard enough, he contests marks from behind where he isn't strong enough, backs away from bumps and contests, struggles to provide a first effort let alone seconds or thirds, epitomises the lazy culture in the club, isn't worth his pay cheque and a depreciating asset. Get rid of him whilst he has some value - possibly a second round pick.

[dee-luded 2,959]

I am not giving up on Watts just yet.

I really want Sylvia, Gawn and Watts to re-sign with the club - ideally tomorrow.

I agree, watts is astartinf to show he's ready to try to take the game on.

IMO he should never have been played in the Red & Blue, until he showed the 'Devil may care, take it on Attitude' !