Jump to content


Recommended Posts

Posted

Here we go again, the weekly "Watts apologists" posts. He's been worse than shocking the last two weeks and any effort to say otherwise just shows people either have short memories or they didn't watch the games. He doesn't need to be banished for all time but he does need a decent run at Casey (at least 4-6 weeks) until the "non-negotiables" are ingrained into him. You can't get away with a complete & utter lack of intensity and attack on the contest in senior footy.

Of course Roos is going to come out and bat for him/make excuses he's not a [censored] like Neeld who publicly pots his players. Just because he says one thing publicly do you really think he doesn't see what we all see and have different thoughts privately?

I wouldn't consider myself a Watts apologist. On Game Day, his seeming lack of desire (translation=laconic style) is infuriating, but once the game is over, I can see that clearly Watts needs a different style of man-management. We've seen he doesn't respond to being dropped to the 2's. If we want to get anything out of him, we have to keep pursuing him as an AFL player - that is to say, continued game time at AFL intensity. Roos will keep playing him for the near future.

The one off 20m sprint time means nothing in todays football, it is all about your cruising speed, what speed you can maintain for long periods and extended runs. You aren't running 20m anymore to get the football it sometimes could be a 100m lead heading back to goals. To me Jack is slow, he can't maintain a good top speed for long enough. He can do the Km's but not at a high speed. Look at Lewis Jetta and even our JKH they can maintain their speed for long surging runs, Watts just can't.

See, I don't rate JKH's speed at all. I think it's his biggest weakness to this stage. I hope he has the footy smarts to combat this.

Posted

There is a certain love fest going on between Bomber and Roosy.

Two top coaches and no disagreeable discussions between the two.

Do you think (forgetting Watts) at this stage, that if Hird goes back to Bummer land,

Bomber may be the heir apparent to Roosy?

On Foxtel they think alike, maybe too much alike.

Would you like bomber as the next coach?

/

Roos was always my first choice back about 3 Yrs ago, but didn't realise his situation with family at school etc.

Bomba & Lethal were my next preferred options, to coach us out of our hell hole.

Posted

Number 1 draft picks? The point of nominating the last 5 years is that the "science' of draft selection has come a long way since the early 2000's. By and large the number 1 draft picks are playing consistent and good footy. Many of them having to leave home to do it. Now there's 'maturity' for ya.

Jonathan Patton is only in his 3rd year, has already missed a year with an ACL but I'd still take him over Watts right now.

David Swallow is in his 4th year and id take him ahead of our whole midfield right now.

Watts is in his 6th year and he still gets babied like it is his second. If he aint gonna have a crack now when will he?

  • Like 2
Posted

I'll give you Gibbs, but his progression is furlong ahead of our JW.

I wish you had St Kilda supporting friends and their opinion of a 23 year old Brendan Goddard...

Posted

I wouldn't consider myself a Watts apologist. On Game Day, his seeming lack of desire (translation=laconic style) is infuriating, but once the game is over, I can see that clearly Watts needs a different style of man-management. We've seen he doesn't respond to being dropped to the 2's. If we want to get anything out of him, we have to keep pursuing him as an AFL player - that is to say, continued game time at AFL intensity. Roos will keep playing him for the near future.

See, I don't rate JKH's speed at all. I think it's his biggest weakness to this stage. I hope he has the footy smarts to combat this.

No Speed??

  • Like 1
Posted

I wish you had St Kilda supporting friends and their opinion of a 23 year old Brendan Goddard...

I do and they love him still. Equally, I have Carlton friends who still rue the day they missed him in the draft, due to their salary cap breaches under pig's arse's stewardship.

Posted

None are so blind as those that refuse to see.

All I'm doing is raising another possibility for discussion.

I think emotional maturity plays a part in his output, and I don't think maturity is a consciously made decision.

It's not the only thing that affects his output, but it plays a serious part.

It also probably depends on what you subjectively view "output" to mean, in this regard.

we all have differing levels of emotional maturity & we all have our weak points in it that can break, or be less mature in those particular areas. In some ways we can all be mature & together, but there are always areas where we are like kids. no matter how well hidden.

chinks in armour

emotional subjects will always bring about the chinks, even IF the warriors out there, don't post their thoughts when feeling chinked. they still have them, although hidden. less honest.


Posted

My conflict is when he is called a lazy footballer.

I classify laziness as a chosen behavior.

I don't think JW chooses to be lazy.

I think his attack on the ball ( or lack thereof) is instinctive. I think it is instinctive in the same the way as a Dawes doesn't choose to crash a pack or sprint after defenders or make the ball his single focus - he does it on autopilot.

Almost anything can be trained but I just wonder how ingrained this instinctive non chosen behavior is.

  • Like 1
Posted

It is up to Jack to engage the gears now.

He has to challenge himself to take the game on when fatigue has set in.

Jack has never been challenged so i wonder if he knows how to do it.

At school he dominated in a canter.

It is a shame he didn't play at Casey for one maybe two seasons.

He missed all that hardening up.

He must be challenged or he won't "wake up"

  • Like 1

Posted (edited)

Tom Hawkins for one.

So after 5 years in the system, Tomahawk has not progressed to elite status?

edit: err, Hawkins was not a number 1 draft pick

Edited by iv'a worn smith
  • Like 1
Posted

Sir, sir, sir, me me.......Goddard, Hawkins, Gibbs the list is endless

Liam Jones aged 23 is going through the same thing at the Bullies

Posted

No Speed??

I just haven't seen his explosiveness in a chase down. Obviously, he had that great chase down on Cripps against Carlton, but that's because Cripps was adjusting to the pace of his first game.

Posted

No Speed??

His fast. He aint blistering.

He came on fresh in that Richmond game, and Rance basically got him after a 10 metre start.

But he makes up with it, as he has more courage, and aint scared inside.

  • Like 1

Posted

What we really should be doing is changing the forum name from Demonland to Wattsland


Posted

So after 5 years in the system, Tomahawk has not progressed to elite status?

edit: err, Hawkins was not a number 1 draft pick

Elite ahhh no...

But has been in the system 2 more years than Watts. His breakout year was 2012.

As to your edit - No one said anything about comparing number one draft pick ( and JW didnt pick himself as no 1) - but again - go back to your history of the day - widely suggested that if Hawkins had not be a F/S pick he would have gone first round.

Michael Hurley, from the same draft came on quickly but has been just OK since - he has actually gone progressively backwards since his first couple of seasons. Vickery was number 8 in that draft - ewww.

I am no defender of Watts but you made the statement asking about other kids who have taken this long to come on.

  • Like 2
Posted

LIam Jones was not a number 1 draft pick

yep. No comparison at all

We are talking about kids taking time to come on.

I agree that picks 53 like Tommy Mac are speculative but first and second round draft picks are comparable.

  • Like 1

Posted

Elite ahhh no...

But has been in the system 2 more years than Watts. His breakout year was 2012.

I would call Hawkins an elite forward absolutely. Took him a while yes.

His breakout game was the 2011 GF, not a bad place to do it. His name with Lingy is all over that cup.

  • Like 1
Posted

No Speed??

Interesting you should post that to prove your point.

Watch through it again and fairly close to the beginning it has a graph on his athletic ability and it rated his speed as average.

I think he has nice first 5 metres and really good evasive skills but I don't think he is lightning quick.

  • Like 2
Posted (edited)

We are talking about kids taking time to come on.

I agree that picks 53 like Tommy Mac are speculative but first and second round draft picks are comparable.

My original post which initiated this conversation related to JW being a number 1 draft pick, in the system for 5 years and is now 23. Of course there are kids lower in the pecking order that have not come on and goodness knows we have had our fair share of them, but JW was chosen at number one, at a time when the 'science' of drafting was far more advanced than in the preceding decade.

As for saying Jack didn't pick himself as number 1 is such a perverse twisting of logic. JW was always touted as a number 1 pick. It was between him and Nic Nat. These kids are schooled very well on the intricacies of the draft process and the expectation placed on them, as they come through an elite system.

Edited by iv'a worn smith
Posted

Interesting you should post that to prove your point.

Watch through it again and fairly close to the beginning it has a graph on his athletic ability and it rated his speed as average.

I think he has nice first 5 metres and really good evasive skills but I don't think he is lightning quick.

He'll do me.

Posted

Number 1 draft picks? The point of nominating the last 5 years is that the "science' of draft selection has come a long way since the early 2000's. By and large the number 1 draft picks are playing consistent and good footy. Many of them having to leave home to do it. Now there's 'maturity' for ya.

I would give you maybe Swallow, Patton has Cameron stood next to him, so if he can't take on at the minimum the 2nd best defender and kick a couple with his size then?, Scully is average, Kreuzer? Gibbs, in and out of form worse like Watts, goes missing in games....so no the nr 1 draft picks are not exactly setting the footy world on fire

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    TRAINING: Friday 22nd November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers were out in force on a scorching morning out at Gosch's Paddock for the final session before the whole squad reunites for the Preseason Training Camp. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS It’s going to be a scorcher today but I’m in the shade at Gosch’s Paddock ready to bring you some observations from the final session before the Preseason Training Camp next week.  Salem, Fritsch & Campbell are already on the track. Still no number on Campbell’s

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 2

    UP IN LIGHTS by Whispering Jack

    Those who watched the 2024 Marsh AFL National Championships closely this year would not be particularly surprised that Melbourne selected Victoria Country pair Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay on the first night of the AFL National Draft. The two left-footed midfielders are as different as chalk and cheese but they had similar impacts in their Coates Talent League teams and in the National Championships in 2024. Their interstate side was edged out at the very end of the tournament for tea

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Special Features

    TRAINING: Wednesday 20th November 2024

    It’s a beautiful cool morning down at Gosch’s Paddock and I’ve arrived early to bring you my observations from today’s session. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Reigning Keith Bluey Truscott champion Jack Viney is the first one out on the track.  Jack’s wearing the red version of the new training guernsey which is the only version available for sale at the Demon Shop. TRAINING: Viney, Clarry, Lever, TMac, Rivers, Petty, McVee, Bowey, JVR, Hore, Tom Campbell (in tr

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    TRAINING: Monday 18th November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers ventured down to Gosch's Paddock for the final week of training for the 1st to 4th Years until they are joined by the rest of the senior squad for Preseason Training Camp in Mansfield next week. WAYNE RUSSELL'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS No Ollie, Chin, Riv today, but Rick & Spargs turned up and McDonald was there in casual attire. Seston, and Howes did a lot of boundary running, and Tom Campbell continued his work with individual trainer in non-MFC

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    2024 Player Reviews: #11 Max Gawn

    Champion ruckman and brilliant leader, Max Gawn earned his seventh All-Australian team blazer and constantly held the team up on his shoulders in what was truly a difficult season for the Demons. Date of Birth: 30 December 1991 Height: 209cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 224 Goals MFC 2024: 11 Career Total: 109 Brownlow Medal Votes: 13 Melbourne Football Club: 2nd Best & Fairest: 405 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 12

    2024 Player Reviews: #36 Kysaiah Pickett

    The Demons’ aggressive small forward who kicks goals and defends the Demons’ ball in the forward arc. When he’s on song, he’s unstoppable but he did blot his copybook with a three week suspension in the final round. Date of Birth: 2 June 2001 Height: 171cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 106 Goals MFC 2024: 36 Career Total: 161 Brownlow Medal Votes: 3 Melbourne Football Club: 4th Best & Fairest: 369 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    TRAINING: Friday 15th November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers took advantage of the beautiful sunshine to head down to Gosch's Paddock and witness the return of Clayton Oliver to club for his first session in the lead up to the 2025 season. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Clarry in the house!! Training: JVR, McVee, Windsor, Tholstrup, Woey, Brown, Petty, Adams, Chandler, Turner, Bowey, Seston, Kentfield, Laurie, Sparrow, Viney, Rivers, Jefferson, Hore, Howes, Verrall, AMW, Clarry Tom Campbell is here

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    2024 Player Reviews: #7 Jack Viney

    The tough on baller won his second Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy in a narrow battle with skipper Max Gawn and Alex Neal-Bullen and battled on manfully in the face of a number of injury niggles. Date of Birth: 13 April 1994 Height: 178cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 219 Goals MFC 2024: 10 Career Total: 66 Brownlow Medal Votes: 8

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 3

    TRAINING: Wednesday 13th November 2024

    A couple of Demonland Trackwatchers braved the rain and headed down to Gosch's paddock to bring you their observations from the second day of Preseason training for the 1st to 4th Year players. DITCHA'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS I attended some of the training today. Richo spoke to me and said not to believe what is in the media, as we will good this year. Jefferson and Kentfield looked big and strong.  Petty was doing all the training. Adams looked like he was in rehab.  KE

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

×
×
  • Create New...