Watts will grow enormously this year. We all agree his skill set, vision, size and knowledge across all the lines should see him potentially be one of the most damaging players in the league. What he has lacked from day one is that feeling of having his back covered. The confidence to go in hard, knowing that if it all turns pear shaped, a couple of the boys will stand them down. One or two of those players whom others fear. Someone to rag doll the opposition, make them think twice. We have lacked that presence. Watts will find a swagger when other teams know it's going to hurt to play us. Collingwood had it that day, but, I think Watts would love nothing more than to run amok against their young backline while Hogan quietly shatters their self belief.

Because Watts covers his teammates backs? At times he can't even man up his opponent. We know about his elite kicking and vision and yes he's an outside player but even outside players have to win their own ball on occasions, not all the time hence "outside" but every now and again wouldn't hurt. I gave an example a couple of weeks back. Loose ball 3 in pursuit, melbourne 2 on 1, Watts was in prime position to grab the ball and accelerate away from contest, but he hung back for fear of being tackled waited for his teammate in a worse position to win ball and pass it out to him only for teammate to win ball and be tackled forcing a ball up and allowing everyone to flood back. But I supose like everyone you take the good with the bad.

Does everyone else love the hell out of that room? The perfect three personalities to bed with Petracca, each with contrasting and admirable traits.

Really curious about which 3 players they put Brayshaw with.

As long as Cross was one of them I don't care who the other two are.

As long as Cross was one of them I don't care who the other two are.

Definitely not far off the mark. Allison alluded on the MFC website that the rooms were chosen specifically for each new player, and Cross is the perfect mentor for Brayshaw.

Oh hell, Cross is the perfect mentor for everyone in our team.

Because Watts covers his teammates backs? At times he can't even man up his opponent. We know about his elite kicking and vision and yes he's an outside player but even outside players have to win their own ball on occasions, not all the time hence "outside" but every now and again wouldn't hurt. I gave an example a couple of weeks back. Loose ball 3 in pursuit, melbourne 2 on 1, Watts was in prime position to grab the ball and accelerate away from contest, but he hung back for fear of being tackled waited for his teammate in a worse position to win ball and pass it out to him only for teammate to win ball and be tackled forcing a ball up and allowing everyone to flood back. But I supose like everyone you take the good with the bad.

Jack has my face in my hands so many times during games. But, confidence is a funny thing. I wonder what his game would be like now if a couple of the Melbourne players grabbed one of Maxwell,Shaw or 0'Bree by the jumper and ran them backwards the length of the oval. Or if Bailey had stormed over to the Collingwood bench and thrown a couple of hay makers. Leadership and gutz were required and sadly missing. A legacy of the past seven years. Let's hope that Roos has got these boys backs. Cause I knew when I was a kid his age. I walked taller when one of my mates sent the fear of God into people just by looking in their eyes

The list of names attached to this attribute is growing. .

Jack has my face in my hands so many times during games. But, confidence is a funny thing. I wonder what his game would be like now if a couple of the Melbourne players grabbed one of Maxwell,Shaw or 0'Bree by the jumper and ran them backwards the length of the oval. Or if Bailey had stormed over to the Collingwood bench and thrown a couple of hay makers. Leadership and gutz were required and sadly missing. A legacy of the past seven years. Let's hope that Roos has got these boys backs. Cause I knew when I was a kid his age. I walked taller when one of my mates sent the fear of God into people just by looking in their eyes

The list of names attached to this attribute is growing. .

DD, this is my last response to a JW topic - no ill feeling towards you, or any other posters.

Jack was never/ will never be an epitome of the tough nut and tough culture we had under the Northey regime....he is a genuine, bona fide finisher who's athletic, covers the ground quickly, reads the game well and delivers with great skill.

Look up occasionally and appreciate him for the vital cog that he is.

DD, this is my last response to a JW topic - no ill feeling towards you, or any other posters.

Jack was never/ will never be an epitome of the tough nut and tough culture we had under the Northey regime....he is a genuine, bona fide finisher who's athletic, covers the ground quickly, reads the game well and delivers with great skill.

Look up occasionally and appreciate him for the vital cog that he is.

I would agree with all of that except for one word "Vital"

I don't believe he has proven that yet.

Here's hoping he does in 2015.

DD, this is my last response to a JW topic - no ill feeling towards you, or any other posters.

Jack was never/ will never be an epitome of the tough nut and tough culture we had under the Northey regime....he is a genuine, bona fide finisher who's athletic, covers the ground quickly, reads the game well and delivers with great skill.

Look up occasionally and appreciate him for the vital cog that he is.

A nice last bit Jumbo, agree with all of that..........some opinions are not formed they are given

I would agree with all of that except for one word "Vital"

I don't believe he has proven that yet.

Here's hoping he does in 2015.

To compete in a finals series, every team needs a JW.

That makes him vital, OD - enough, I'm done.

Burgos Diary Day 11

And that just about wraps it up folks ... we're back home and at training on Monday at Gosch's.

Burgos Diary Day 11

And that just about wraps it up folks ... we're back home and at training on Monday at Gosch's.

Funny to hear about the tunes in the Brett Allison bus, his dad Tommy was always keen playing and singing a good tune in the bus.

STFU

Nice little STFU there to the incomparable Mitch Clark.

What an inspiration he was to Hoges, who apparently looked up to him as a mentor. Hopefully that's past tense now.

Obviously didnt read all the comments then..?

I note that it's dissolved into MFC supporter squabbling about how unfair it is to pick on Mitch for leaving the club.

And both Harmes and Hogan additional comments..?

Come on, it's not that hard.

Doesn't go down that far on my computer, the last comment I can see is from 'jarradb3'. No conspiracy here mate, please feel free to enlighten me on what I'm missing.

Reading the comments it was quite obvious mitch was just having a joke around with his mates only for some [censored] to hijack poor Hogans instagram..

And it seems Mitch is still close to alot of the boys which is no problem at all. Im still pretty disappointed he left but going on social media and being a complete hero is something I am not interested in.

And people think Demonland is bad? Wow, that was just awkward.

And people think Demonland is bad? Wow, that was just awkward.

This place is a beacon...

Doesn't go down that far on my computer, the last comment I can see is from 'jarradb3'. No conspiracy here mate, please feel free to enlighten me on what I'm missing.

Both Harmes and Hogan came to the defense of Clark, making it crystal clear they were just joking and still mates, after some heroes jumped in to give Clark a gobful.

It's petty, it's ugly, it's bloody ignorant and it's really tired already... Lets all just move on gracefully.

*if only

Apparently recent research has shown that people who use social media to express anger, frustration, negativity and bile have a high incidence of heart disease. it seems many Demonlanders are not long for this earth - myself included!

Both Harmes and Hogan came to the defense of Clark, making it crystal clear they were just joking and still mates, after some heroes jumped in to give Clark a gobful.

It's petty, it's ugly, it's bloody ignorant and it's really tired already... Lets all just move on gracefully.

*if only

Ah hah, didn't see any of that. Instagram bugs out on my laptop. Gives it a bit more context than Harmes' original comment.

And yes, the comments from supporters overall are ugly. Hardly endearing MFC players to the supporter base by going on their Instagram and launching attacks on former players, regardless of what we think of them.

Both Harmes and Hogan came to the defense of Clark, making it crystal clear they were just joking and still mates, after some heroes jumped in to give Clark a gobful.

It's petty, it's ugly, it's bloody ignorant and it's really tired already... Lets all just move on gracefully.

*if only

Its the same hero that goes on facebook and boast proudly about it too.

Its ugly and actually quite sad that if you take the emotion out of it that a mate cant go on another mates instagram and have a joke around without idiots writing disgusting comments on there.

Like I have said what Clark did was wrong and im bit disappointed still. But at the end of the day he is still human.

The lack of transparency doesn't help the situation. Clark is unwilling to come out and give an explanation to what occurred, and everyone seems to tiptoe around the issue. All we've been told is some vague medical advice stipulating Clark "needed a fresh start away from the MFC."

Basically leaves upset supporters to reach their own conclusions; never a good idea.

On 22 January 2015 at 5:39 PM, Demi Dee said:

Watts will grow enormously this year. We all agree his skill set, vision, size and knowledge across all the lines should see him potentially be one of the most damaging players in the league. What he has lacked from day one is that feeling of having his back covered. The confidence to go in hard, knowing that if it all turns pear shaped, a couple of the boys will stand them down. One or two of those players whom others fear. Someone to rag doll the opposition, make them think twice. We have lacked that presence. Watts will find a swagger when other teams know it's going to hurt to play us. Collingwood had it that day, but, I think Watts would love nothing more than to run amok against their young backline while Hogan quietly shatters their self belief.

I was watching our forward line during the game on Saturday and loving watching Watts really enjoying the tough, behind the scenes stuff. Giving a bit of lip, working the GWS boys with Hoges, having a laugh with Pedo, Kent and Jeffy.

It reminded me of a thought I had last year, that I got howled down for at the time, that Jack would start to dominate games when he walked a little taller, surrounded by competitors that oppositions feared. It seems we have those competitors, opposition are starting to hurt and Jack seems to be on the verge of tearing other teams a new one. 

The intentions of GWS were obvious from the outset. Intimidate and physically bully the forward line. Jack being the most obvious target. He has a history of being fragile, so break him and the line breaks,  being the message. Heater was the worst.  What I loved was our forward lines response. The smallest player in our forward line decked their largest. Kent continuously stared Heater down and hurt him in tackles. Hogan got in their faces all day. Watts  seemed to love the banter with Hogan while they were obviously sledging their opponents. Vanders and Viney kept pushing through.  By the last quarter they had broken them.  A team of competitors around Jack has seen him walk taller. He will never be 'mongrel' tough, but, he seems a lot less worried about the tough stuff. Hopefully, this frees him up a little. I would love Jack to  reach the heights of his potential.