Jack Watts ready to step up under Melbourne Demons coach Paul Roos

[jabberwocky 2,301]

Posted elswehere: On the other side of the coin why should we look at any player's performance with anything but honesty? Why should he or any other player be immune from having his game honestly appraised by spectators, as well as the game of the whole team.

There is a happy medium here and it starts and begins with being respectful but also being frank and honest.

There will always be the the "Watts is a spud","Watts will be a star" brigade. A few are capable of objectivity.

[Lucifers Hero 37,207]

I think we put a lot of pressure on these young guys and tend to forget that there only humans.

That story about the little girl is pretty cute, I'm glad he stayed.

The story brought a few tears to the eyes...

[beelzebub 22,265]

Do you remember a skinny bespectacled kid called Robert Flower? He could play, if Watts could develop like he did i for one would take that any day.

if only..

IF ONLY !!!

[DeeZee 6,805]

There are some on here that would have even criticised Robbie flower for not tackling enough ....fact is it takes all sorts to make a team.

The tough in and unders, the big forwards, the zippy rovers and goal sneaks and the runners and skillfull go to players.

Its the balance as a team that counts, all players have strong and weak areas in their games.

It takes a good coach to gel the team, and bring the best out of his players.

Edited March 4, 2014 by DeeZee

[beelzebub 22,265]

There are some on here that would have even criticised Robbie flower for not tackling enough ...

thing is he did tackle enough

argument = fail........sorry

[DeeZee 6,805]

thing is he did tackle enough

argument = fail........sorry

You miss the point.

Most players on our list, have deficiencies, what im saying is that even though you or i believe Robbie was perfect,there are others on this site that would find fault in almost anyone if they look hard enough, like the Watts debate, they cant see the forest from the trees,he has great skill, speed and marking ability ,and is working on other aspects if his game like tackling.

In Roos game plan he is mot meant to be the in and under, he is the go to man who delivers with precision.

Not as simple as argument fail im afraid Beezlebub.

[beelzebub 22,265]

Watts and tackling is a mindset

Often when observing him he simply has no intention ( it seems ) of really laying the tackle in such a manner as to be either damaging or that it sticks. just about everyone just brushes him aside.

Quite frankly this happens because he lets it happen.

I dont question his ability...just where his head is at during a game

[sue 8,463]

You miss the point.

Most players on our list, have deficiencies, what im saying is that even though you or i believe Robbie was perfect,there are others on this site that would find fault in almost anyone if they look hard enough, like the Watts debate, they cant see the forest from the trees,he has great skill, speed and marking ability ,and is working on other aspects if his game like tackling.

In Roos game plan he is mot meant to be the in and under, he is the go to man who delivers with precision.

Not as simple as argument fail im afraid Beezlebub.

True. BB it would be great if every player was A grade in every aspect of the game. But tha is an unrealistic expectation. Of course if Watts' tackling is weak he should work on it. But ultimately if that's not his thing, then the only question is does he (or any player) contribute to the team sufficiently in other areas.

[beelzebub 22,265]

True. BB it would be great if every player was A grade in every aspect of the game. But tha is an unrealistic expectation. Of course if Watts' tackling is weak he should work on it. But ultimately if that's not his thing, then the only question is does he (or any player) contribute to the team sufficiently in other areas.

Sue , this is probably where I differ from many..possibly. I dont see the game as some form of convolution. its not that complicated. It as a game is played utilising some basic elements. At AFL level I EXPECT players to be at least able i.e competent if not excelling at a number of things

Firstly as the game is called Football I would not ever play anyone who cant kick a ball with some degree of ability..i really dont care what other skills the player supposedly has if you cant kick , go find another game.

I would think an AFL level player to be capable of marking under most circumstances. Kick and catch....not hard really

But the third leg to the stool is tackling. All good players tackle well, They make them stick, they make the opponent pay for any playing error.

These are the absolute fundamentals of the game imho. If you cant perform these go to VFL or netball

Its not about being A grade at all things its about being competent. Jack cant tackle.. he needs to be able to and do so with effect.

[DeeSpencer 23,293]

Sue , this is probably where I differ from many..possibly. I dont see the game as some form of convolution. its not that complicated. It as a game is played utilising some basic elements. At AFL level I EXPECT players to be at least able i.e competent if not excelling at a number of things

Firstly as the game is called Football I would not ever play anyone who cant kick a ball with some degree of ability..i really dont care what other skills the player supposedly has if you cant kick , go find another game.

I would think an AFL level player to be capable of marking under most circumstances. Kick and catch....not hard really

But the third leg to the stool is tackling. All good players tackle well, They make them stick, they make the opponent pay for any playing error.

These are the absolute fundamentals of the game imho. If you cant perform these go to VFL or netball

Its not about being A grade at all things its about being competent. Jack cant tackle.. he needs to be able to and do so with effect.

Agree. We all bag Nicholson and Bail etc when they can't kick. It's the same with Watts and tackling. In fact it's simpler because tackling isn't that difficult of a skill. To be honest I'd like to see him get a whack in the head like Toumpas got on the weekend. Hell I'd even like him to cop one from his own team mate or something. He just plays with no white line fever at all and it's reflected in his tackling and approach to contested ball.

[Hannibal 5,814]

There are some on here that would have even criticised Robbie flower for not tackling enough ...

Only idiots. He was one of the best tacklers I've seen.

Robbie only had one real weakness. He wasn't quite defensive enough, but that's a small criticism when he was the only player trying to take the game on and set up play.