non government

If you include the Catholic system then I am a private schoolboy too as are my two sons.

I would have been called a lot of things as a footballer but I doubt soft was ever one.

My boys are lunatics on the ground and I coach a number of boys who go to private schools as well as public schools. From the 60 or so kids that I look after the private school kids are probably as a rule tougher if anything.

But I am not in Melbourne.

Edited April 30, 201411 yr by jabberwocky

Not sure I can agree with the bolded section - I don't think where he went to school has any relevance.

I went to a public school and it certainly didn't make me any tougher than anyone at a private school.

It's his talent that made him not have to do the hard things to get noticed as a junior, so he needed them drilled into him when he first arrived at AFL level, but they weren't, so he doesn't even have the basics of the 1%ers in his game.

It's not in his mentality.

I agree with you on the talent issue.

Watts to me looks like someone who has played on pure talent all his life and is still after all this time adapting to the fact that at this level grunt and what's in your head makes up for less than pure talent.

I see him reading the ball in the air and trying to anticipate the flight, the bounce and his opponent's moves with the superior perception that enabled him to out do his opposition as a kid.

As for the bolded section - my kids go to a private school so those with thin skins can ice their bruises. What the (offending phrase) is intended to convey is he had the look of no hard times about him.

Edited April 30, 201411 yr by pitmaster

What constitutes a private school?

If they would accept you they are not private enough JW (In jest)

In England. Public schools are what we call private schools. Here the fees at Private schools range from the less expensive Catholic variety to the more expensive like Geelong Grammar or Kings College full fees approx $50k pa. They can refuse entry if they choose. The public, fully government funded schools must accept applicants.

Here I am taking this seriously, you are probably taking the p155. I will stop now.

One that isn't a public povo school fark head

East bound and out of here, no he isn't, he's back again.

"Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo! Can you feel the tension? I can! I can feel it... down in my plums. They're getting a nice bluish hue, gettin' ready to take 'em to the farmer's market. " from Ashley Schaeffer East Bound & Down.Chapter 5 2009

Did watts or Hawkins play TAC cup or senior footy before being drafted?

Did watts or Hawkins play TAC cup or senior footy before being drafted?

Watts played for Brighton Grammar in the APS competition. Think Hawkins was Melbourne Grammar, not sure.

Watts played for Brighton Grammar in the APS competition. Think Hawkins was Melbourne Grammar, not sure.

Might be a case of elite kids doing it easy their whole lives not adjusting to AFL. They are both clearly very skilled but unlike watts Hawkins has has the moment where it clicked between the ears.

Might be a case of elite kids doing it easy their whole lives not adjusting to AFL. They are both clearly very skilled but unlike watts Hawkins has has the moment where it clicked between the ears.

Also helps if you are in a team that does not really need you the first few years.

Jack Watts has played 4 and a bit seasons of footy not 6 season as some assert. In his first year (2009) he played 3 games while still at school.

And in the four seasons (or 88 games) since, his team won just 18 games, while turning over 3+ coaches as the club, coaching staff and players struggled.

http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/players/J/Jack_Watts.html

During this time he's played back, forward, wing, middle... been the whipping boy, saviour, etc... for a club with no idea and angry restless fans tired of mediocracy.

That he re-signed last year was repayment of any debt he owed us, and from then on he like any developing player will have good and lean patches until he matures and gains confidence in his role and place in the team.

I think we should get behind him and support him rather than contesting as to whom can bag him best or loudest.

He'll come good, or not. But deserves our support and compassion

Jack Watts has played 4 and a bit seasons of footy not 6 season as some assert. In his first year (2009) he played 3 games while still at school.

And in the four seasons (or 88 games) since, his team won just 18 games, while turning over 3+ coaches as the club, coaching staff and players struggled.

http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/players/J/Jack_Watts.html

During this time he's played back, forward, wing, middle... been the whipping boy, saviour, etc... for a club with no idea and angry restless fans tired of mediocracy.

That he re-signed last year was repayment of any debt he owed us, and from then on he like any developing player will have good and lean patches until he matures and gains confidence in his role and place in the team.

I think we should get behind him and support him rather than contesting as to whom can bag him best or loudest.

He'll come good, or not. But deserves our support and compassion

PaulRB I am not sure how your maths works but if his first games were played in 2009 that is his first year.

So he has then Played 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 . That is Five season plus five games into 2014 being his 6th season.

PaulRB I am not sure how your maths works but if his first games were played in 2009 that is his first year.

So he has then Played 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 . That is Five season plus five games into 2014 being his 6th season.

its rocket science OD...excuse the lad

He's played 75 games of AFL, less that 4 seasons worth.

He's played them over 6 season, sure, but experience (and expectations on performance) come from games played.

Neville Jetta has played 44 games of AFL, 2 seasons worth. He too has played them over 6 season...

Edited April 30, 201411 yr by PaulRB

Rohan Bail has played 46 games of AFL, just over two seasons worth. He too has played them over 6 seasons...

So of Watts, Jetta, Bail who do we turn on and why? And who's the better player?

Watts

Rohan Bail has played 46 games of AFL, just over two seasons worth. He too has played them over 6 seasons...

So of Watts, Jetta, Bail who do we turn on and why? And who's the better player?

Watts

Watts was no 1 pick and has a mountain of skill more that the other two.

Bail and Jetta were and still are battlers. A lot more is expected of a No. 1 pick

So his flaw is he's disappointed us.

That as having the audacity to be selected (by others) as No 1, he cannot battle nor expect to be dispassionately compared to any of his contemporaries...

Sounds fair... Bloody Watts!!

His flaw is that he is timid, lazy, and inconsistent. So yes, he's been a disappointment.

Roos is running an excuse for him of not being allowed to settle into a position. Let's hope it has some truth.

Watts was no 1 pick and has a mountain of skill more that the other two.

Bail and Jetta were and still are battlers. A lot more is expected of a No. 1 pick

It is the skill vs effort equation.

People may criticise a Bail or Nico but don't rip in like they do for Watts for the simple reason is their deficiency is skill not effort.

Footballers have widely varied levels of skills but there is a minimum effort that is expected of all footballers.

Watts has wonderful skills but the question mark is on his effort and that always attracts the most unwanted attention

So his flaw is he's disappointed us.

That as having the audacity to be selected (by others) as No 1, he cannot battle nor expect to be dispassionately compared to any of his contemporaries...

Sounds fair... Bloody Watts!!

his flaw is more than that.

had at least 5 preseasons to get body right.

hasnt had major injury setbacks.

hasnt been a kpp and had big bodies continually crunching him.

cant get to position most outside running players do to collect over 15 good use possesions over 18 games per year.

wont put body on the line{not the only one}and doesnt offer other reasons to keep in team.

dont care about his draft number.

dont compare him to him other players.

cold hard fact is,he aint gonna make it.

His flaw is that he is timid, lazy, and inconsistent. So yes, he's been a disappointment.

Roos is running an excuse for him of not being allowed to settle into a position. Let's hope it has some truth.

I am hoping for a Daisy Thomas turnaround.

Well maybe not quite as ferocious but Daisy's first few seasons he was quite shy of contact and then whooshka !

His flaw is that he is timid, lazy, and inconsistent. So yes, he's been a disappointment.

Roos is running an excuse for him of not being allowed to settle into a position. Let's hope it has some truth.

Sure, and like every player he needs to work on his deficiencies. So why can't we be as patient with Jack as he works through those weaknesses in his game as we would be with other players as they work through their weaknesses (i.e Jordie Mac's disposal, Bail's disposals, Jetta's concentration for 4 Q, etc... ).

All our players are working on their weaknesses, but it only seems to be Jack being publicly shamed and castigated for his.

Edited April 30, 201411 yr by PaulRB

Sure, and like every player he needs to work on his deficiencies. So why can't we be as patient with Jack as he works through those weaknesses in his game as we would be with other players as they work through their weaknesses (i.e Jordie Mac's disposal, Bail's disposals, Jetta's concentration for 4 Q, etc... ).

All our players are working on their weaknesses, but it only seems to be Jack being publicly shamed and castigated for his.

From my perspective, the reason it is so disappointing is that I can see the team embracing Roos' principles of hard, defensive footy. I don't see Jack doing it, and it stands out.

We're talking about one of the most fundamental aspects of the sport - physical contact. He needs to want it as a professional footballer, not do everything he humanly can to avoid it. After 6 years in the system, it's nowhere near good enough.

From my perspective, because it is so fundamental, patience is very thin to the point where it is pretty much gone. I keep expecting him to evolve and it just never happens. I'll now be pleasantly shocked if he makes it.

PaulRB, I agree totally. Never has there been a 'can't win' like Jack Watts. Can you imagine the vitriol if he hadn't re-signed last year. Anyone else would have been cut some slack for at least showing loyalty. Give Roos the opportunity for good coaching to have some impact & at least acknowledge the effort he's putting in. Who knows what instructions he's been given? Certainly not any of us. I hope he doesn't read any of what's been written because he'd be asking himself why he bothers.

He's played 75 games of AFL, less that 4 seasons worth.

He's played them over 6 season, sure, but experience (and expectations on performance) come from games played.

Neville Jetta has played 44 games of AFL, 2 seasons worth. He too has played them over 6 season...

Hes been at this club for 6 seasons. That means preseasons, that means playing and training alongside his fellow Demons. Paint it any way you like hes a 6 season player.

Hes been at this club for 6 seasons. That means preseasons, that means playing and training alongside his fellow Demons. Paint it any way you like hes a 6 season player.

So is Jake Spencer, and people are willing to give him plenty of time and encouragement.

So is Jake Spencer, and people are willing to give him plenty of time and encouragement.

Rucks are supposedly meant to take a hell of a lot longer. ( not excusing him per se though, just explanational )

How about like for like ??

Edited April 30, 201411 yr by beelzebub