Jack Watts Sunday Footy Show

[DemonOX 8,836]

Met Watts a few times and he is an absolutely top bloke.

If true and he stays that's great for the MFC and us supporters.

If he goes who honestly could blame him.

[Cards13 9,117]

Meh

[Deano74 156]

Im happy hes staying. Because the next few years is when hes going to reach his potential. It would suck to see him learning the craft and growing into a man, only to switch sides and blossom elsewhere.

[Demon trucker 1,800]

All you watts hater give the guy some slack, I allways thought the best years of any sportmans life is between 23 to28. Which jack is just heading into

[Demoneyes 562]

Roos can see the potential and vice versa. I expect big things of both of them this year and was one of the minority (on these Forums) who predicted a top 8 finish in 2014.

Well we have a whole year to wait for that!

[Demoneyes 562]

I believe he will be getting 3 years

[La Dee-vina Comedia 17,009]

If we had a Ablett type player who just spoke about re-signing then we could rejoice. But we only rejoice because of Jacks potential. This year Jack Fitzpatrick had more impact then Watts. He needs a reality check. As of now he is a middle of the road player. Not good but not bad. His career so far does not deem him worthy of acting like a superstar holding off contract talks.

In absolute terms, disagree. However, Jack F came with much lower expectations and exceeded them; Jack W comes with higher expectations and is yet to reach them.

And every player has demands. Sometimes they're called hopes or wishes, but the rules state all players must have player managers and the managers and the club negotiate contracts. Each contract is where the player manager's demands and the clubs expectations meet.

[Young Dee 1,303]

When i see him get his head over the ball i may consider joining the legion of deluded excuse-makers .

I thought you were already a member - it usually comes with the MFC membership package (didn't you get the umpires dart board?)

Edited September 16, 2013 by Young Dee

[Dees2014 2,377]

If we had a Ablett type player who just spoke about re-signing then we could rejoice. But we only rejoice because of Jacks potential. This year Jack Fitzpatrick had more impact then Watts. He needs a reality check. As of now he is a middle of the road player. Not good but not bad. His career so far does not deem him worthy of acting like a superstar holding off contract talks.

I really think this misses the point. If I was in Watts position, I would have put contract negotiations on hold too given the disfunctional nature of the club for most of this year - indeed for most of the time he has been at the club. He wanted to see hope, and he wanted to see progress.

It is a testament to Roos interpersonal skills (in stark contrast to Neeld's) that he was able to convey both to Watts so quickly. Clearly Roos now has a narrative which not only gives people a confidence about the future of the club, and indeed excitement, but also his ability to get the very best out of his playing group. he says continuously that one of his primary jobs is to make each individual player, the best possible footballer he can be. If he is successful in this across the playing group, then we will not be in the top 8 next year, we will be in the top 4! Melbourne has one the the youngest, most naturally gifted (given our number of first round picks) and the worst performing in terms of matching skill to performance. The upside is huge.Watts knows this, both personally and collectively. So do most of the others. No wonder they are excited.

We should all rejoice in this.

If Jack Watts by putting his contract on hold in some small way made the powers that be work that much harder to get the best possible outcome for the club then terrific. He has done us all a favour.

[pm24 451]

If we had a Ablett type player who just spoke about re-signing then we could rejoice. But we only rejoice because of Jacks potential. This year Jack Fitzpatrick had more impact then Watts. He needs a reality check. As of now he is a middle of the road player. Not good but not bad. His career so far does not deem him worthy of acting like a superstar holding off contract talks.

You can't be serious can you???? Fitzpatrick showed some encouraging signs, but that's about it. He could be good, but Watts was a vital part of our ball movement, and in the second half of the year, also contributed on the scoreboard, to the point where he was our second leading goal kicker for the season.

Watt's second half of the year saw him being more aggressive with ball in hand, taking more shots on goal from 50 while on the run, and also taking more marks going back with the flight. He was more aggressive in taking the game on, and looking to beat his opponent. His pressure on the ball was also better, even if he didn't lay more tackles.

I think Jack re-signing is great for the club, and I believe he will take another step in his play next season. However, he'll always be a polarizing player.

[Guest]

I always felt that Jack should move on from the MFC as I felt he would never be the player he could be here.

I'm prepared to put that statement on hold. I think Roosy might be the bloke to do it. If we got Rocket or Choco, I wouldn't have budged. However I think Roosy is exactly what Jack needs after overexposure to Mark Neeld. Someone who will drive him but also give him confidence and encouragement.

[Jack7 528]

Jack was never leaving,after Neil Craig's first game as coach he said in the post game interview he was ready to sign but his manager (Paul Connors) was overseas and would sign when he returns.Connors gets back and postpones all talk until season's end,all managers do it.

Can someone post the post game interview link of Round 13 I think it was.

[[email protected] 101]

Roos can see the potential and vice versa. I expect big things of both of them this year and was one of the minority (on these Forums) who predicted a top 8 finish in 2014.

Join the club...

[Dockett 32 1,239]

I don't think he ever said he was staying but rather" that he liked Roos and we will see".

That said I am now pretty confident he will soon re sign with us for the next few years.

That's what I thought he said too? I haven't seen anything that says we are over the line. The whole negotiation intrigues me.

[Grand New Flag 3,227]

Its great that we have met Jack's demands.

I don't think this is fair.

Jack has every right to want to leave an inept Melbourne FC. We have not lived up to our part of the bargain. The MFC has been atrocious, having won very few games in C Grade time slots since Watts arrival. Watts has been absolutely terribly developed with a lack of senior players, and mentors around him. He has served under 4 coaches in just 5 seasons and has constantly been thrown from one position to another, unable to be left to settle and grow into any role. Watts was brought in as a 17yo who had played in the APS system and was played too early as a marketing tool in his first game, further multiplying the pressure on him. In recent years he has been unfairly dropped and publically hung out to dry by Neeld on many occasions. Neeld was the single worst person to be coaching Watts, Neelds interpersonal skills were appalling. Neeld seemed to be jealous of Watts ability and no doubt frustrated he could not get more out of Watts but did everything wrong in his approach and development of Watts. Watts has been told be a receiver and then abused for not going hard into the pack. The failure of the coaching staff seemed to leave him confused on when to go hard and get his own ball and when to stand outside of the pack to receive as told. Then after all of this Watts is booed by his own supporters.

My friends, Watts has every right to leave, I would have left if I was in his shoes, we are very lucky to have kept this under performing talent. Full marks to Watts for staying and showing loyalty to what seems like a lost cause. Good work by Paul Roos to install some belief in the MFC.............. hell we really do not deserve to have kept him. Now as supporters I expect a higher level from you just as I expect a higher level from Watts in 2014 and beyond.

Edited September 16, 2013 by Grand New Flag

[beelzebub 23,390]

, we are very lucky to have kept this under performing talent. ....

GNF..I generally respect your views and comments but have a good think about this aspect.. A very great part of where we got ourselves is due to this . Players not playing to potential. I dont give a fig about 'excuses" as to why. Once yourre out there wearing that jumper ffs play to it. Jack ahasnt. Hes been somewhat of a very disappointing failure in this regard.

But you want me to consider we're lucky to have retained him ? I dont decry him staying but please cut out this abysmal fawning.

He has a lot to prove. He may well do that and indeed I hope he does. But his carrying on like some sort of footy diva is quite honestly appalling.

Hes not that good ( to date ), he could be, he might be but so far he hasnt been and certainly doesnt deserved to be kowtowed to.

[pm24 451]

GNF..I generally respect your views and comments but have a good think about this aspect.. A very great part of where we got ourselves is due to this . Players not playing to potential. I dont give a fig about 'excuses" as to why. Once yourre out there wearing that jumper ffs play to it. Jack ahasnt. Hes been somewhat of a very disappointing failure in this regard.

But you want me to consider we're lucky to have retained him ? I dont decry him staying but please cut out this abysmal fawning.

He has a lot to prove. He may well do that and indeed I hope he does. But his carrying on like some sort of footy diva is quite honestly appalling.

Hes not that good ( to date ), he could be, he might be but so far he hasnt been and certainly doesnt deserved to be kowtowed to.

Most of the early picks we've had have failed to develop over the last 6 or so years, so Watts is not alone in this. The club has failed to properly develop it's players, and only in the last couple of years has started to embed professional standards into its football department, and for the first time last year, it actually put in place a player development program. That's the club's fault not the players.

Potential has to be developed, and if the club doing the development isn't doing it well, then the potential of the player will never be fulfilled.

[beelzebub 23,390]

yeah lets blame the club for everything...its a buy one get one free, size fits all get out of jail free excuse !!

But it's not. There are those that will do their utmost irrespective of the mire they find themselves in and there are those that continually look to the externals as to causativity.

Im not even suggesting Jack is but many here are. There is only one person in this whole world responsible for Jack....thats jack.

Just like the good ( bad ) ol days at the JO.... weights are just weights, theyre weights.

Potential not only has to be developed it has to be exercised. Again only one can do this , the person themselves.

Wattever is holding Jack back ...in from within, its not the club.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,102]

Watts was just on MMM. Caught the end of the interview where he basically said that there should be an announcement in a few days.

[Grand New Flag 3,227]

yeah lets blame the club for everything...its a buy one get one free, size fits all get out of jail free excuse !!

But it's not. There are those that will do their utmost irrespective of the mire they find themselves in and there are those that continually look to the externals as to causativity.

Im not even suggesting Jack is but many here are. There is only one person in this whole world responsible for Jack....thats jack.

Just like the good ( bad ) ol days at the JO.... weights are just weights, theyre weights.

Potential not only has to be developed it has to be exercised. Again only one can do this , the person themselves.

Wattever is holding Jack back ...in from within, its not the club.

Thanks Belz,

I understand your point, and I like everyone on here have been frustrated with Jack. However, I think it should be remembered that Watts was not recruited as a ready made AFL footballer. He did not come hardened going through the under 18s, state league system. He was recruited as a 17yo, still growing, KPP from the soft APS system. Everyone knew he was not ready made, that he needed developing. He is no leader and needs guidance, mentoring and proper developing. Sadly we have provided him very little.

Other personalities can find their way through this, in Jacks case he has struggled to develop without the right environment around him. This does not make him a bad person, that he does not want it badly enough or mean he can't be a superstar, it is just who he is. Provide the right environment for Jack and I think you will find he strives. Jack knows himself and knows what he needs to develop. I have no problem with him endevouring to find that right environment to further his career, I am happy that it would seem he feels he can find that at Melbourne under Roos.

Edited September 16, 2013 by Grand New Flag

[Demoneyes 562]

Watts was just on MMM. Caught the end of the interview where he basically said that there should be an announcement in a few days.

Have heard a small whisper that it will be on the footy show on Thursday! However the source has only a 50/50 record!

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

yeah lets blame the club for everything...its a buy one get one free, size fits all get out of jail free excuse !!

But it's not. There are those that will do their utmost irrespective of the mire they find themselves in and there are those that continually look to the externals as to causativity.

Im not even suggesting Jack is but many here are. There is only one person in this whole world responsible for Jack....thats jack.

Just like the good ( bad ) ol days at the JO.... weights are just weights, theyre weights.

Potential not only has to be developed it has to be exercised. Again only one can do this , the person themselves.

Wattever is holding Jack back ...in from within, its not the club.

your argument has problems:

We have failed to produce a genuine league elite player in 7 years. There are a few notable 'nearly' types in Clark, Jones, Frawley and Garland.. that's it

There are 6 of the 44 from 2007 left, meaning 38 changes, plus 5 or 10 others that came and went in between (Maric, Cheney, Bennell etc)

How is it possible we recruited about 45 players over 6 drafts and ALL of them just underperformed? It makes no sense at all

The only logical conclusion is that the club has been at fault in its development of these players

You don't just get unlucky 45 times in a row

Edited September 16, 2013 by Curry & Beer

[Demoneyes 562]

your argument has problems:

We have failed to produce a genuine league elite player in 7 years. There are a few notable 'nearly' types in Clark, Jones, Frawley and Garland.. that's it

There are 6 of the 44 from 2007 left, meaning 38 changes, plus 5 or 10 others that came and went in between (Maric, Cheney, Bennell etc)

How is it possible we recruited about 45 players over 6 drafts and ALL of them just underperformed? It makes no sense at all

The only logical conclusion is that the club has been at fault in its development of these players

You don't just get unlucky 45 times in a row

Find it hard to argue with such logic!

[beelzebub 23,390]

your argument has problems:

We have failed to produce a genuine league elite player in 7 years. There are a few notable 'nearly' types in Clark, Jones, Frawley and Garland.. that's it

There are 6 of the 44 from 2007 left, meaning 38 changes, plus 5 or 10 others that came and went in between (Maric, Cheney, Bennell etc)

How is it possible we recruited about 45 players over 6 drafts and ALL of them just underperformed? It makes no sense at all

The only logical conclusion is that the club has been at fault in its development of these players

You don't just get unlucky 45 times in a row

and you dont think this has ANYTHING to do with picking the WRONG BLOODY players ??

Theres a chance that a couple in recent draftings might go the distance but look back to the fwits in charge and the sterling job they did.

Quite possibly they picked in JW a player who had cruised through footy but had no real appetite for the big game

[DeeSpencer 26,266]

Development and recruiting have both been awful. No point arguing over which was worse.

But certainly Jack has talent to be better than he is now. That's on him and the club. Roos backs himself to fix both issues, let's hope so.

By the way I expect a lot of clubs (besides GWS and GC) to end up without much talent from 2010 and 2011. The expansion clubs got a bunch of the best out of that.

But our efforts in 2008 and 2009 drafts were deplorable and the development that came with it just as bad, although you have to admit that no player from either of those years can be considered fully developed yet even if they were at Geelong or Sydney or wherever.