The funny thing about Watts

[Forest Demon 4,681]

Mark Neeld had some great ideas i have no doubt. But he was not a good communicator, there was a fear in the team to not make a mistake or break a structure.

I look forward to how the side attacks the Swans next week.

Just have a real crack Demons. We do have some talent. Right now it is a little bruised.

There is some talent there no doubt, especially at either end of the ground. Pick 2 or 3 on another gun mid, and who knows, maybe even a priority pick. Maybe bolster it even a little more through Free Agency if possible and you are looking at a pretty talented group.

[demonchris 162]

Jack is a really important cog to this team plus don't underestimate how many junior supporters have his number on their MFC jumper.

But my worry is.....Clarke, Dawes, Hogan, Fitzpatrick and Watts. Have we gone too top heavy. Jack must be asking what his role in the forward line is.

Thats depth... something we are starting to have!

[Forest Demon 4,681]

Looking at those names in the forward line, wouldn't it have been nice to be able to chuck Mitch Clark in the ruck in that last quarter when Gawn hit the wall.

[DeeZee 7,347]

Far from happy with Watts as a footballer, pal. Far from happy.

Whats to be happy about?

The bloke only kicked 4 goals and saved the game with a courageous pack mark..... Rofl.

[cowboy_from_hell 2,390]

Watts is a forward but he needs other targets around him. He can't take on the likes of lake or merrett at the moment but he can take on the second best defender no worries

[DeeZee 7,347]

In his first year I watched at casey a fair bit, and some of the goals he kicked were nothing short of miraculous.

Slotted them from any angle.

We saw what a great set shot he is last night, which is why I'm loving him up forward the last couple of weeks.

He is a natural forward, and ill say it again, to those who still knock the kid.....he is the most skilled player at our club.

As his body gets bigger and stronger, he will go from strength to strength.

[Maldonboy38 6,387]

I am choking on humble pie today. I was a big fan of his for so long even when he was playing poorly. About round 6 or 7 I jumped off - and concluded it in print here on Demonland - that "Jack will not make it". I am only too happy to say how wrong I was. He isn't a world beater yet but what I am seeing now he is looking very much at home. Please, please, please keep him in the forward line.

As for the future forward line:

Option 1. Clark, Watts, Dawes and Hogan

Option 2. (if Clark does not make it back) Watts, Dawes Hogan and Fitzy.

[P-man 13,366]

Far from happy with Watts as a footballer, pal. Far from happy.

What exactly does he have to do to convince you? He was BOG ffs,

[Tatu 416]

Far from happy with Watts as a footballer, pal. Far from happy.

surely even you have noticed the difference in his game?

9 marks

15 disposals

4 goals

105 dream team points....

Was best on ground last night for sure.... We wouldn't have won without him....

[P-man 13,366]

And you'd have to be blind not to notice the marked improvement in his physicality.

[stuie 7,374]

Far from happy with Watts as a footballer, pal. Far from happy.

Oh you're so tough and wise BH. You know better than everyone else, and I love it how you always have to disagree with the general consensus just to show how awesome you are...

[deelighted3 39]

Forever or just for this year?

Heard its no good. Like Matty Egans from Geelong. Could be red rover. Crossing my fingers and toes and everything else its not though. Shattering if its the case.

[Damo 3,281]

Thought some one in the know said it was the same as Matty Richardsons' and he would be back in Round 5? He sounded very sure of his information.

[Demonsterative 3,018]

Oh you're so tough and wise BH. You know better than everyone else, and I love it how you always have to disagree with the general consensus just to show how awesome you are...

BH's history on picking at talent, good players etc, is laughable at best stuie

I read BH cozI like a good laugh

Edited June 30, 2013 by Demonsterative

[P-man 13,366]

Ben's a quality poster, but I think he needs to eat some humble pie re Watts.

[Demonsterative 3,018]

Ben's a quality poster, but I think he needs to eat some humble pie re Watts.

Sometimes Ben can write quality. But more often than not what he writes gets lost in his aggression and his inflated opinion of himself. One area he is floundering is his opinions on players. this ain't good.

[Chook 15,001]

Ben's a quality poster, but I think he needs to eat some humble pie re Watts.

While I have always thought Jack Watts' playing style is uniquely "basketbally" (and therefore not subject to traditional football analysis), I do agree with Ben-Hur's criticisms of his physicality and desire. I think also that most of us agree that these mental problems have (and will continue to) limit Watts' effectiveness.

Ben-Hur probably went overboard in his dismissal of Watts' ability to realise his potential as a player, but his points of criticism were (and continue to be) pretty valid if you ask me.

[Craig Drinker 179]

will only be great with a top crumbing forward in the mix

Is Eddie Betts coming up for free agency or coming out of contract? I thought I read that somewhere. How would he go in our forward line up?

[Craig Drinker 179]

You can just about forget about Clark. He's Gawn. Foot no good apparently.

Was chatting to my podiatrist about Clark. he was podiatrist to the MFC last year and before that. His opinion on Clark is that his injury is BAD.

[P-man 13,366]

While I have always thought Jack Watts' playing style is uniquely "basketbally" (and therefore not subject to traditional football analysis), I do agree with Ben-Hur's criticisms of his physicality and desire. I think also that most of us agree that these mental problems have (and will continue to) limit Watts' effectiveness.

Ben-Hur probably went overboard in his dismissal of Watts' ability to realise his potential as a player, but his points of criticism were (and continue to be) pretty valid if you ask me.

I'm always wary of labelling players, especially ones who are 22 years old. Ben is not alone. Too many supporters have placed Watts in a box (mentally and physically soft) and it seems as if he'll need to pull off the superhuman to bust out of it. He is improving all the time, and he deserves acknowledgement for it.

[Geddy Lee 582]

BH's history on picking at talent, good players etc, is laughable at best stuie

I read BH cozI like a good laugh

JW played his best game ever last night IMO.

I want him to succeed and I want him to keep it going.

What BH doesn't spell out for you I will:

Watts will need to play 50 more games like the one last night to not be considered a poor high draft pick selection.

[Lordweaver 235]

So is Neil Craig lying when he gives credit to the work put in by Mark Neeld?

Politically correct perhaps, perhaps somewhat genuine

[DemonOX 8,733]

Umm naitanui

Watts will be a far better player than this numb nut.

His performances will be CONSISTENT during the WHOLE game and not for 3 or 4 mins of play here and there.

[Akum 2,660]

Was chatting to my podiatrist about Clark. he was podiatrist to the MFC last year and before that. His opinion on Clark is that his injury is BAD.

What worries me about Clark is that he doesn't seem to have a concept of "going easy on it". Only his kamikaze approach. Can't help but wonder that if he'd eased back into it (or been eased back into it) he may not have reinjured. He spent a lot of time injured at Brissie too.

Watts gets criticised for being circumspect and choosing when he goes and when he doesn't. Seems clear to me that there's a great difference in his physicality between games that we're a chance to win and games where we're getting smashed.

I think it's as stupid to say that circumspect is right and kamikaze is wrong, as it is to say (like many on here) that kamikaze is right and circumspect is wrong. Any good team probably has both.

And Watts could certainly benefit from being more physical. But Clark could certainly benefit from being more circumspect sometimes.

[dazzledavey36 53,242]

Watts will be a far better player than this numb nut.

His performances will be CONSISTENT during the WHOLE game and not for 3 or 4 mins of play here and there.

Bit harsh there, all of us would love a Naitanui in our side. He is a gun ruckman and does some freakish things but lets just enjoy Watts. Naitanui is learning just as much as Watts so don't write NicNat off completely