Jack Watts signs new 3-year deal

[Je Roos Salem 661]

Absolutely thrilled with the news. Great to see the headline on the website. From memory, it was something like: Watts' heart beat's irregular: 3 Inch extension. Watts commits to suspicious e-mail

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

I saw a young Paul Roos on a wing at the MCG when he was 18. I was in awe at how good he was. I've rarely seen a young opposition player I was so impressed by.

You may see similarities in their style, but that's where it ends. Roos was a star by Watts' age.

Oh really. Do you think it is possible you are wearing the same rose coloured glasses when you look at back at Roos as you do when you think of the superstar Brad Miller? It is going to be hilarious watching you squirm, trying to maintain the false sense of superiority that nobody else cares about when Watts starts making some waves... 'yeah but he was supposed to play full forward not be a dominant midfielder' that'll be it won't it

[DemonFrog 1,347]

Not sure if I want to laugh or cry.

Not a big fan of Mr Watts. But hope he can turn me into one.

[rpfc 27,476]

Oh really. Do you think it is possible you are wearing the same rose coloured glasses when you look at back at Roos as you do when you think of the superstar Brad Miller? It is going to be hilarious watching you squirm, trying to maintain the false sense of superiority that nobody else cares about when Watts starts making some waves... 'yeah but he was supposed to play full forward not be a dominant midfielder' that'll be it won't it

This coming from a bloke who is doing a 540 on Watts. I remember when you referred to him has playing like a woman before saying he was playing great footy and then abandoning him again in the last few months.

Are you dizzy?

Watts is doing what Dunn has spent a decade doing, playing patches of good footy but not nailing down any position or consistent form. An he is 10 times the talent of Dunn which makes it all the more frustrating.

I hope he can become a winger - we need midfield help.

[Hannibal 5,814]

Oh really. Do you think it is possible you are wearing the same rose coloured glasses when you look at back at Roos as you do when you think of the superstar Brad Miller? It is going to be hilarious watching you squirm, trying to maintain the false sense of superiority that nobody else cares about when Watts starts making some waves... 'yeah but he was supposed to play full forward not be a dominant midfielder' that'll be it won't it

I'm not even sure what you're saying. Looking at Roos with rose coloured glasses ? No, I just recognised a gun player. "Brad Miller superstar ?". You've lost me.

Watching me "squirm" ? Do you mean if Watts makes a terrific mid ? I'll be as happy as anyone else. I'm only interested in success.

I think there's something wrong with you.

[Sideshow Bob 2,156]

Just remember guys........... It's all Jack Watts fault

I think we can safely say that if the Roos era bears no fruit that the blame lands squarely at jacks feet

In all seriousness, good boy Jack - I still have faith he will become the A grader we need

[jabberwocky 2,301]

From wiki:

"Fitzroy

Roos made his senior VFL debut for Fitzroy in Round 4 of the 1982 season against Sydney, the club he would eventually move to 13 years later. Also making his debut along with Roos was 16-year-old Gary Pert,^[3] who became one of Roos' best teammates.^[4] In Round 9, he was named at full-forward against St Kilda and kicked seven goals in a 47-point win.

In 1986, Roos polled a career high 16 votes in the Brownlow Medal to finish runner-up. He ended his career with 121 Brownlow votes (98 with Fitzroy and 23 with Sydney).

Roos was appointed captain of Fitzroy in 1988, and led the club in 122 games until 1994.

During his playing career at Fitzroy, Roos was selected as an All-Australian in 1985, 1987, 1988, 1991 (as captain) and 1992 (as captain). He also represented Victoria in State of Origin as captain.

Roos left Fitzroy at the end of 1994 to join Sydney. He cited financial difficulty, the departure of key players (such as Gary Pert to Collingwood) and the club's relocation to the Western Oval as the main reasons for moving to Sydney.^[4]

Sydney

Roos joined Sydney in 1995 on a three-year contract.^[4] He finished his career at the Sydney Swans with 87 games and 19 goals in 1998. While Roos was at the Swans, he was one of Sydney's best in the 1996 AFL Grand Final loss to North Melbourne. He again qualified as an All-Australian in 1996 and 1997.

In his playing days, he was often cheered by supporters with a distinctive, deep rolling roar of "ROOOOOOS!". However this tradition was halted after an incident involving West Coast Eagles captain John Worsfold, in which Worsfold bumped Roos off the ball before yelling "ROOOOOS!" to the Sydney cheersquad."

7 times all Australian, 7 goals as a 16 year old (correction 18 year old), 121 votes in the brownlow including a runner up, club and Victorian captain.

Rose coloured glasses ay.

Edited September 25, 2013 by dandeeman

[Hannibal 5,814]

7 times all Australian, 7 goals as a 16 year old, 121 votes in the brownlow including a runner up, club and Victorian captain.

He was 4 weeks from turning 19 when he kicked those 7 goals. He debuted as an 18 year old. It mentions Pert being 16.

But yes, a wonderful player and wonderful career. Seven times AA is top shelf.

[binman 38,165]

I prefer roos coloured glasses

[What 18,810]

In 1986, Roos polled a career high 16 votes in the Brownlow Medal to finish runner-up

Oh yes, the days when you actually had to earn your Brownlow votes.

Nowadays the umpires just hand voted to big name players when they arent even close to the top 3 players on the ground.

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

Really interested to see what a good coach can get out of Wattsy, might be a totally different player in 2014, along with a few of our players.

the talent is there, now comes down to how quickly Roos and co can extract it.

It's not what Roos can get out of Watts. Yes Roos can inspire Watts and play him in the one position and give him all the feedback and godly teachings in the world; but the area in which Jack Watts needs to improve most is all in his head.

Psychological conditioning that needs overcoming with the help of the following things:

* Jack's willingness to work on intensity, aggression and mental toughness. The mental aspect of his game. (He will need to see some sort of sports psychologist for such a thing, which I'm sure he already does).

* Another pre-season in the gym to build his frame again. (Every year that goes by he becomes more comfortable in his body)

* As indicated by Roos already, a position in which he can make his own and therefore spend more time and energy on the first point I raised.

Yes it's fantastic that we have Roos on board and I'm sure it's given Watts a big boost of self confidence and some inspiration going into pre-season, HOWEVER, the first point I raised is absolutely 100 % up to him. The only thing holding him back from becoming a dominant player within the competition is his mental toughness.

If he can get over his fear of body contact and actually turn it around so that we see him start enjoying it, he will be a beauty. I'm not talking about head first stuff like Selwood or Viney. Let's take Pendels for example, (since there's been mention of Watts playing in the midfield), you can see the way that Pendelbury plays that his intensity, aggression and mental application are at a more advanced stage than that of Watts'.

It's the the thing I want to see most at this club. A transformation in Watts' mentality as an AFL player.

Edited September 25, 2013 by stevethemanjordan

[Biffen 12,330]

Everybody wants to get into Jacks brain and change it.

In reality, basketball guys are never super tough including Demon Pendles.

Watts is the neatest most simple set shot for goal I've seen since Plugga or Dunstall.

I will be fascinated to see where Roos plays him.

We could have the best marking forward line in history with Dawes,Watts,Hogan,Howe,Clark but how will we get it there/ are we too tall there?

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

This coming from a bloke who is doing a 540 on Watts. I remember when you referred to him has playing like a woman before saying he was playing great footy and then abandoning him again in the last few months.

Are you dizzy?

Watts is doing what Dunn has spent a decade doing, playing patches of good footy but not nailing down any position or consistent form. An he is 10 times the talent of Dunn which makes it all the more frustrating.

I hope he can become a winger - we need midfield help.

First of all, I haven't changed anything. I'm not thrilled with what we've got out of him and particularly his application at times, but you'd have to have rocks in your head not to be happy he is staying. The potential is enormous.

Secondly don't you realise how foolish it is to talk in terms of 'you once said this' like so many here. JW has been at the club for 5 years, of course there have been fluctuations in his performance and as such fluctuations on the opinions of him. Why would it be any different? What exactly are you saying, you need to form an opinion on draft day and then just stick to it no matter what? What sort of imbecile thinks like that? It's something I've never understood about the average joe cretin demonland poster

Edited September 25, 2013 by Curry & Beer

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

Everybody wants to get into Jacks brain and change it.

In reality, basketball guys are never super tough including Demon Pendles.

Watts is the neatest most simple set shot for goal I've seen since Plugga or Dunstall.

I will be fascinated to see where Roos plays him.

We could have the best marking forward line in history with Dawes,Watts,Hogan,Howe,Clark but how will we get it there/ are we too tall there?

With all due respect Biffen, the parts of the game in which Jack Watts doesn't excel at are intensity, aggression and competitiveness. There are many other synonyms one can use. If he is to work and develop them, he must start to pick apart what goes through his head when he is playing. You're missing the point in a big way.

I don't care where the conditioning comes from. All I know is that if he starts becoming more present and really thinks about his actions whilst on the field, (like running with an urgancy to win the ball in dispute), then we will slowly see this translate into his subconscious over a period of time.

It entirely and absolutely begins and ends in his head. So stop this simplistic [censored] about him 'not needing to be tough'.

I want him to get the best out of himself and this is the way to address his weaknesses.

Edited September 25, 2013 by stevethemanjordan

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

Everybody wants to get into Jacks brain and change it.

In reality, basketball guys are never super tough including Demon Pendles.

One of the more nonsensical lines I've read on here...

What reality are you talking about? Do you mean to say basketball is not as much of a contact sport so one doesn't need to be as tough?

There are plenty of people that play basketball who would have no problem with the physical aspect of playing AFL.

[Return to Glory 7,728]

Everybody wants to get into Jacks brain and change it.

In reality, basketball guys are never super tough including Demon Pendles.

Watts is the neatest most simple set shot for goal I've seen since Plugga or Dunstall.

I will be fascinated to see where Roos plays him.

We could have the best marking forward line in history with Dawes,Watts,Hogan,Howe,Clark but how will we get it there/ are we too tall there?

Biffen, looking at the Freo Swans game last weekend, I'm inclined to think our biggest problem may be the capacity to keep it in the forward 50 rather than it being run out easily because of too many talls.

[Biffen 12,330]

One of the more nonsensical lines I've read on here...

What reality are you talking about? Do you mean to say basketball is not as much of a contact sport so one doesn't need to be as tough?

There are plenty of people that play basketball who would have no problem with the physical aspect of playing AFL.

The game itself is a non contact sport last time I cared to look back in the 80's.

I'm not calling them a bunch of muscly pansies or anything.

The reality is the fact that they are two different games ,with different rules,one requiring contact ,one not.

and Shaq is a big sissy.

[beelzebub 22,225]

basketball ...non contact.......pretty funny... youve never played MENS basketball ??

[Biffen 12,330]

basketball ...non contact.......pretty funny... youve never played MENS basketball ??

I'll make it simple.

Is intentional contact allowed ?

No.

I'm not saying basketball isn't a tough game.

Just that it's for pea-hearts who like wearing dresses.

[timD 994]

I'll make it simple.

Is intentional contact allowed ?

No.

I'm not saying basketball isn't a tough game.

Just that it's for pea-hearts who like wearing dresses.

HA!

i shouldn't laugh - it isn't funny.

pea hearts wearing dresses - (snigger)

[beelzebub 22,225]

I'll make it simple.

Is intentional contact allowed ?

No.

I'm not saying basketball isn't a tough game.

Just that it's for pea-hearts who like wearing dresses.

sorry mate..youve no idea then.

whats intentional and what transpires....

I know what youre trying to say, just it isnt true

[Biffen 12,330]

sorry mate..youve no idea then.

whats intentional and what transpires....

I know what youre trying to say, just it isnt true

I know, I know .

Sometimes they touch bums and

there has been some horrific fingernails broken.

Not to mention the hurt feelings from some of the names they call each other.

[Scipio 5,868]

I reckon what Biffen was trying to say is that you don't get the same kind of physically competitive beasts (like Cale Morton, Jamie Bennell etc) in basketball as you get in footy as they thrive on serious contact.

[Geddy Lee 582]

For some reason I'd see Jacks (196 cm, 91 kg) midfield evolution in the direction of a player like Pendlebury (191 cm, 91 kg, with a basketball background).

Fingers crossed.

We've been saying this stuff since he was drafted. He is so far away from Pendlebury it's not funny.

But I will wish him well and hope he turns it around. I'm glad he has a proper mentor now.

[P-man 13,168]

Pendles should be playing for us dammit, as should Judd.

New zoning rules - you get drafted by the club you support.

Actually scratch that. Pretty soon we'd struggle to field a full side.