Watts should be tall forward v. Saints

[TGR 1,367]

What most of us are not considering is that Watts' time as a forward at Melbourne was as an 18, 19, 20 year old; in a team with the worst supply in the history of the game.

We finally have a midfield that is capable of decent supply.

The guy is an A-grade kick at the big sticks. Freo could have done with the ball in his hands GF 2013.

[DeeSpencer 25,477]

What most of us are not considering is that Watts' time as a forward at Melbourne was as an 18, 19, 20 year old; in a team with the worst supply in the history of the game.

We finally have a midfield that is capable of decent supply.

The guy is an A-grade kick at the big sticks. Freo could have done with the ball in his hands GF 2013.

Except the ball would never get in his hands. 1. because Ross Lyon wouldn't tolerate a player with such shocking defensive talents and 2. because no Hawthorn defender would let him get the ball.

He played enough forward last year to show he was still just a floating around forward who could occasionally get some space on a lead. Accurate kicks through half back and in to the forward line will create more goals than the benefit of Watts' accurate set shots.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,693]

Dunn was first drafted as a forward but could never really cut it. But at least if they did try him there to see what happens and Georgiou can come in off the rookie list and not hurt the backline by taking Dunn out

I think that we will need to set up like the Richmond pre season game an really rely on goals coming from the midfield and the small forwards like JKH roving off the feet of Pedo or Howe. With such a fragile and developing forward line, all these midfielders we have stocked up with are going to have to adapt and find a way to put scores on the board regularly rather then just working on clearances.

We could also utilize Watts' height by bringing him up forward as a resting midfield for a few minutes but he cant be relied on as a key forward. Its just not the type of player he is.

If our mids can score heavily it will only help to ease in the forwards as they become available and not become too predictable going forward like Collingwood or Sydney.

Wow. I know Dunn is not everyone's favourite player, but this is going a bit far. Sounds more like something Campbell Brown or Tony Lockett might do.

[Scoop Junior 3,435]

We have depth players such as Pedo and Fitz for situations like this. They are there to perform when the other forwards go down. If they are good enough, and the team is going well, to keep their spot then they can do so. Same if Jack Watts or another midfield goes down with injury. They get replaced with a midfielder. We tried that with Jack Grimes last year (moving him from defence to prop up a very weak midfield) and I don't think it improved the situation one iota.

The bloke has been training with the midfield group and has been drilled in the ways of the midfield. He will know a bit about the forwards as he has to deliver the ball to them and he has played there a bit but if you do that, you are throwing him in with a new line coach, new set of expectations and a new role. Let him play the role he has been training for (and by all reports very enthusiastically for)

I remember recently watching a doco on the Toigs (which I posted on here) where Bobby Walls was asked what was inherently wrong at Punt Road. One of his answers was that they would say something then change course 6 weeks later. We haven't even played one week yet with JW as a mid or one game at all. Let's go one week before we even consider moving him albeit for a week or two.

And BBO's point is valid. That is all speculation as Fitz and Howe aren't injured.

The purpose of the Fitz and Howe comment is just to show that certain situations warrant deviation from the plan. It's not a case of "we are sticking to the plan no matter what".

In my opinion our situation warrants a slight temporary deviation. I can understand that others may not share that view, but having our three key forwards out is extreme circumstances and I don't think we can simply close our eyes to it and say "we're sticking with the plan". At the very least it warrants strong consideration.

As for Richmond, I don't think that's relevant at all. There is no fundamental change of course here, no change of strategy or approach (which the Tigers have been accused of in the past) - it is merely a temporary response to extreme circumstances. As soon as Hogan or Dawes or even Gawn can come back into the side, Watts would move back into his midfield role. It is likely to be a 1-2 week change at most.

I also believe the added benefit of selecting another runner is something that needs to be taken into account.

[Deestroy All 14,262]

No Clark, No Dawes, No Hogan. Rucks under-done.

No. 4 should play forward.

We lose an experimental midfielder for one week. Small price.

We need to straighten up. Watts is the logical choice.

Try looking at the bigger picture.

[All the Jacks 99]

Play Max Gawn forward pocket (available) leave Watts on the wing...

Do not like changing what has been planned as Project player unless Roosy sees the logic in this discussion...

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

Try looking at the bigger picture.

Can't decide on this

he has kicked 4 goals on two occasions and the win is the priority at all times

Howe is not going to kick 10

[Machsy 2,858]

Is it?

My priority at all times is developing toward a premiership.

If that means the side has a harder time winning now in round 1, to make it easier come round 10, or even in 2015, then so be it.