Jack Watts - Wingman

[Sir Why You Little 37,038]

Jack Watts will thrive under Roos. I am confident of it.

He stayed for a reason.

[Jaded No More 68,915]

Reminds me so much of Travis Johnston.

Not since TJ have I seen anyone with so much time on their hands.

He is timid, he will never be a hard ball getter, and his inability to tackle is infuriating, but he has a gift.

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,395]

Reminds me so much of Travis Johnston.

Not since TJ have I seen anyone with so much time on their hands.

He is timid, he will never be a hard ball getter, and his inability to tackle is infuriating, but he has a gift.

Not being smart but he did in the last qtr as I mentioned in my post. It's all about self belief and knowing when to remain on the outside and when to win the ball yourself. Both are coming to him at a rapid rate under Roos and Stone. It's the next step for him, he has the pace and elusiveness to speed away from packs like Judd used to.

[Undeeterred 3,124]

That breakaway in the first where he set up Terlich was fantastic.

[Sir Why You Little 37,038]

Jack will make it. He has had a shaky start.

Roos is the perfect coach for him.

[Undeeterred 3,124]

Imagine we'd given him his first five years in there...

[Bitter but optimistic 22,239]

Imagine we'd given him his first five years in there...

Young blokes mature at different rates. (look at Hogan and Patton for example). Jack's first 2 or 3 years needed to be more developmental. Now he is mature physically and mentally and ready to play his best footy.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

Funny about all the scrutiny Jack gets but Kreuzer flies under the radar.

[Dee Dee 1,108]

27 touches at 96%.

When's NicNat done that?

[What 18,810]

Looked like a number 1 pick last night

Feels good to say that

Hope he can back it up next week in an MCG win vs the E-girls

Lets see how the Eagles do today

[RalphiusMaximus 6,053]

When's NicNat done that?

Lets see how the Eagles do today

Nic Nat 8 disposals 12 hitouts 4 marks.

[DeeSpencer 25,709]

Nic Nat 8 disposals 12 hitouts 4 marks.

Whilst being eased back in to AFL in a team with 3 ruckmen.

Nic Nat might not be the superstar that Gerard Healy thinks he is but he's still a fine player. Watts has had good games before. Let's wait and see if he can deliver against the men of the West Coast midfield not the boys of the saints midfield.

He'll also have to do a lot of running a chasing playing on Gaff and Rosa.

The last thing we need to do is contribute to the Nic Nat v Watts debate again. Let's just enjoy our fast and clean skilled wing man who does it all whilst also being 6'4 but still has a lot of work to do developing his game.

[Adam The God 30,259]

Funny about all the scrutiny Jack gets but Kreuzer flies under the radar.

Exactly, Robbie. I've been saying that for two or three years now. It's infuriating.

[Undeeterred 3,124]

Young blokes mature at different rates. (look at Hogan and Patton for example). Jack's first 2 or 3 years needed to be more developmental. Now he is mature physically and mentally and ready to play his best footy.

All I'm saying is that, imagine we'd identified that years ago and stuck him in there. I always knew Neeld (bless him) was onto something at least trying to turn him into the Hodge/Gibbs type general off half back.

He has always been our best user of the footy by streets, imagine we'd given him those developmental years in his best position.

[Ted Lasso 19,518]

All I'm saying is that, imagine we'd identified that years ago and stuck him in there. I always knew Neeld (bless him) was onto something at least trying to turn him into the Hodge/Gibbs type general off half back.

He has always been our best user of the footy by streets, imagine we'd given him those developmental years in his best position.

I reckon it wouldn't have mattered, the difference between now and then is the confidence Roosy has flowing through him

[InVINCEable 358]

He'll be an absolute star this year, maybe even AA on the wing

[Little Richard 6,262]

When's NicNat done that?

Nah NicNat jumped high a couple of times, so he's forever better.

[praha 11,240]

IMO, he still looks to be in second gear, and he can't shrug off a tackle if his life depended on it.

What separates the good wingman from the great wingman is his ability to run and carry, break through a tackle and pack, and get that burst of speed.

Watts was great on Saturday night, really took the game on, but it's that one tackle he can't break: once he's caught, he never gets free. It's either a holding the ball, or an erratic handball that HOPEFULLY hits a teammate running past. That Terlich goal was an example. Watts had a streaming player to his right, ignored him and instead tried to take the chasing player on. He was tackled, and at his speed should have easily shrugged him off. It happens all too often, and imo will always dog him.

It's why he's an outside player, and rarely tackles. He is a silky smooth kind of guy, but I am yet to see him break a game open.

What we really needed from him on Saturday was a game-breaking sprint down the middle and goal. THAT is his role. He doesn't do it.

Not taking anything away from his game. He was very good. But like many on the night, he didn't do what we need guys like him to do.

Maybe I'm too harsh but that was the stage for him to shine. He'll get many more opportunities, but he needs to take the next step. He's had the time now. Time to win some games.

Is he just going to be very good, or is he going to be great? There is a big difference, and ultimately the team's problem. No one takes that next step.

Edited March 23, 2014 by Cudi_420

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,755]

27 at 96% means just one disposal was ineffective. From memory, that might have been a hand pass out of a pack on his knees. But any on baller getting 96% efficiency with more than 20 possessions is extraordinary and extraordinarily valuable. I realise he won't always get 96% but as much as we love it, just imagine how much more Nathan Jones does! For two years (or more) he's been waiting for the cavalry to arrive and finally it's here.

[Matt Demon 1,430]

Geez some people need to calm down. He played 1 decent game against Sandringham + Reiwoldt. Yes he looks to have improved but still has a way to go. Lets see hoe he goes against some of the better teams before claiming him as a superstar.

[ManDee 7,148]

When's NicNat done that?

Exactly. Nicnat overrated one trick pony. Does 1 or 2 spectacular things each game but that is all. Nicanat 8 disposals & 3 clangars v Jack Watts 27 & 1 clangar. I have always rated Jack and now is the time to prove us right in picking him no1.

[binman 42,968]

What we really needed from him on Saturday was a game-breaking sprint down the middle and goal. THAT is his role. He doesn't do it.

Not taking anything away from his game. He was very good. But like many on the night, he didn't do what we need guys like him to do.

Maybe I'm too harsh but that was the stage for him to shine. He'll get many more opportunities, but he needs to take the next step. He's had the time now. Time to win some games.

I reckon you are being a bit harsh TBH. In the example you gave he set Terlich up for a goal. He created the goal that Byrnes got. I reckon he was involved in other goal scoring chains. If we had of kicked straight he would have created 4-5 more goals such was his capacity to find a player in space and in attacking positions. As an outside mid his role is to create goals not kick them (though of course if he can get forward and snag a couple then all the better). I'm guessing score assist will be one his main KPI's.

Also he did in fact take them on at one point and break a tackle. It was terrific to see.