2014 Player Review - # 4 Jack Watts

[jackaub 1,402]

We lost vs Port because JW played only one quarter of footy. We almost won vs Port because JW played one of the best individual quarters of anyone all year.

It's baffling...but we need to stick with it.

Why do we have to?

[dee-luded 2,959]

I reckon the critics far outweigh the supporters P_Man.

I'll sit on the fence on this one Nash, as the season is about to hot up for us. I don't like the brand of footy he is currently giving. but I do trust Roos & Stone & their mates.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Has to stay. Improvement was evident. The funny thing is people still expect him to be Nick Riewoldt. He is an outside player, with poise, good decision maker and great ball use. All clubs have them, ours just happens to be a PIck 1. Would we want to trade him if Jack went at pick 32?

If he's an outside player, (outside winger) then why oh why won't he run 'HARD' forward or back, instead of trot. he gives us the 'trots'.

maybe we should nickname him Trotski Watts.

[dee-luded 2,959]

To use a Paul Roos description, 'he is what he is'. One thing Jack Watts will never be is the key position star that we all hoped for when he was drafted. I suspect one thing Jack Watts will always be is frustrating ..... and so it was in 2014. With ball in hand he is clean and highly skilled, an asset to the team. Without the ball he's a 'passenger' with a seemingly low work rate and lack of intensity at the contest. Some say that he would be a very good player in a good team. I have my reservations. Even the most gifted players in top teams need to 'go' when their turn comes around! I expect he will still be at Melbourne in 2015, continuing to frustrate as he always does. He is what he is, and he will never be what he isn't.

could he become a Stevie J ???

[beelzebub 23,383]

Apparently, according to some bloke Roos, everyone is on the table for the right deal.

I wouldn't be so sure hes the teachers pet.

Right deal and its sayonara Jackie.

[Deez 298]

Im sick of people constantly criticising his game.
Watch the north game and watch his disposal.

He has attributes that melbourne needs more of.

He can pin point kick, and he has that ability to evade tacklers and create space in congestion.

Hes an outside player, hes never going to be your in and under or your key position player.

But he can run it out of defence and use an accurate kick, he's also good at delivering it in to the fwd 50.

In comparison, hes not that different to a vince type.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Fixed.

do you think watts will follow Sylvia to Freo Chook ? or is this him going over?

[jnrmac 20,186]

Hard nut, in and under but no skill.

Its opposites day....

[jnrmac 20,186]

Im sick of people constantly criticising his game.

Watch the north game and watch his disposal.

He has attributes that melbourne needs more of.

He can pin point kick, and he has that ability to evade tacklers and create space in congestion.

Hes an outside player, hes never going to be your in and under or your key position player.

But he can run it out of defence and use an accurate kick, he's also good at delivering it in to the fwd 50.

In comparison, hes not that different to a vince type.

That would be the biggest load of carp I have ever read on Land. And there has been plenty.

[Deez 298]

That would be the biggest load of carp I have ever read on Land. And there has been plenty.

are his attributes completely different to vinces?

If you disagree, state your reasons.

[george_on_the_outer 7,705]

Im sick of people constantly criticising his game.

Watch the north game and watch his disposal.

He has attributes that melbourne needs more of.

He can pin point kick, and he has that ability to evade tacklers and create space in congestion.

Hes an outside player, hes never going to be your in and under or your key position player.

But he can run it out of defence and use an accurate kick, he's also good at delivering it in to the fwd 50.

In comparison, hes not that different to a vince type.

Watch the North game and you'll see him trotting 5 metres behind his opponent. Roos had to move him at least twice in that game.

Forget that he can kick the ball, he just can't get it unless someone else does the hard work.

[Sir Why You Little 37,130]

Jack "Western Star" Watts

Gets one more year under Roos.

2015 Put up or go Jack....

[jabberwocky 2,301]

He will be something this boy Sylvia, just you watch him next year.

EDIT "WATTS"

Edited September 10, 2014 by jabberwocky

[jabberwocky 2,301]

are his attributes completely different to vinces?

If you disagree, state your reasons.

Yes.

Vince can win a clearance for starters. Vince runs harder, tackles more often, delivers inside 50 more regularly, gets more possessions, wins more contests and generally works much harder. Is in many ways a much better player and is a genuine midfielder.

[Spirit of 26 261]

He's the king of the uncontested possession.

In a top 6 side he'd be easily carried and his deficiencies masked over.

In a bottom 6 side his deficiencies are exposed.

He just doesn't get enough of the ball to be influential enough.

[Deez 298]

Watch the North game and you'll see him trotting 5 metres behind his opponent. Roos had to move him at least twice in that game.

Forget that he can kick the ball, he just can't get it unless someone else does the hard work.

Yes.

Vince can win a clearance for starters. Vince runs harder, tackles more often, delivers inside 50 more regularly, gets more possessions, wins more contests and generally works much harder. Is in many ways a much better player and is a genuine midfielder.

Im not suggesting that Watts doesn't need to work on his aerobic capacity to become more involved in the game. Far from it.

It doesn't look like you disagree with his attributes, instead just listed further skills that bernie has.

Every body realises bernies a much more rounded player hence his successful first year at the club and that Watts has several areas of his game that he can improve.

And your right, Watts doesn't often collect his own ball, But the fact that he can use the ball effectively, (when he gets his hands on it) is better than most of the team.

That is reason enough to keep him or - at least trade him for someone that can kick also. (not lumumba)

Why would we want to trade out one of the only decent kicks in our team, when precision disposal is clearly one of our biggest needs.

We have enough players with question marks next to their names before we go hounding Watts.

If the day comes where Watts genuinely is the worst player on our list and deserves the criticism he gets, I think we would hardly be complaining.

My original post was really just pointing out that he is no where near our worst player but gets hounded like he is Cook or something.

[Deez 298]

He's the king of the uncontested possession.

In a top 6 side he'd be easily carried and his deficiencies masked over.

In a bottom 6 side his deficiencies are exposed.

He just doesn't get enough of the ball to be influential enough.

Id say thats accurate

[jabberwocky 2,301]

My original post was really just pointing out that he is no where near our worst player but gets hounded like he is Cook or something.

I would say in terms of intensity in the senior side in my opinion he is regularly our worst player.

[MO FINE 171]

The coach is a fan. Think you're all going to be disappointed on the trade front.

I won't be though. I'm looking forward to Jack taking another step next year.

What he said.

[rpfc 28,779]

He's the king of the uncontested possession.

In a top 6 side he'd be easily carried and his deficiencies masked over.

In a bottom 6 side his deficiencies are exposed.

He just doesn't get enough of the ball to be influential enough.

At some point, we would want to be a top 6 side.

[Redleg 41,447]

Hard nut, in and under but no skill.

Funny as usual Biff.

[monoccular 17,574]

To use a Paul Roos description, 'he is what he is'. One thing Jack Watts will never be is the key position star that we all hoped for when he was drafted. I suspect one thing Jack Watts will always be is frustrating ..... and so it was in 2014. With ball in hand he is clean and highly skilled, an asset to the team. Without the ball he's a 'passenger' with a seemingly low work rate and lack of intensity at the contest. Some say that he would be a very good player in a good team. I have my reservations. Even the most gifted players in top teams need to 'go' when their turn comes around! I expect he will still be at Melbourne in 2015, continuing to frustrate as he always does. He is what he is, and he will never be what he isn't.

I too have reservations, but the highlighted text IMO isn't necessarily the case. Watching games live and not on TV he actually does a fair bit of work off the ball, but what has been a fault in MFC for a long time is lack of vision has meant that his leads are too often not honoured. Hopefully as those behind the play without skills or vision are weeded out this will change.

And yes - JW would be a lot better for us were he somehow develop a 'taste for the contest' !

[deanox 9,989]

He is an AFL standard player, and we don't have many of those on our list.

If we can bring in another 3 players who have an immediate impact this preseason, Watts will be a much better player for it.

Personally, I'd only trade him for a player, not a pick, and that player would need to have good skills and be an upgrade in terms of attack on the football. I doubt we'd get a trade like that for him, so he is a keep.

[Forest Demon 4,681]

I reckon over the past few years I have read a hundred posts about Watts working hard but nobody kicking it to him. Please, give me a spell.

Or another classic, he would star in a top team. Do you know where he would be if he was a Hawthorn player? At Box Hill or on the scrap heap because players like him don't get games at good teams.

Or what about, he is an outside player...well that may be the case, but that doesn't excuse you from competing 100% when you are in a contest, and it doesn't allow you to lose your feet every time you are touched.

And I would say he is a neat kick without being overly damaging. Takes easy options and only kicks safely when in acres of space.

If he has any currency whatsoever, which I doubt, trade him. Glad I got that off my chest.

[baysidedave 246]

Keep him, we're losing Frawley and Clark who will be playing at other clubs.....sick of seeing Demon players at other clubs, especially ones who have a lot to give....