Lay off Jack Watts...

[Gator 17,332]

...Anyway good to know you're a big fan of Jordie, Ro and Jake who all have the attributes you respect most. Oh, hold on.......

I respect them. Just like I respected Simon Godfrey.

It doesn't mean I want them in the team.

And if Watts does lack the grey matter to make the most of his talents then it's a pity he went pick 1. Not easy to ascertain when judging juniors, but not impossible.

It's an indictment on Watts that he's a 196cm flanker. Jack Riewoldt is skinny, but he's brave in the air. Jeremy Cameron was skinny in his first couple of years, but he was brave in the air. And that's been Watts' achilles heel. He's not brave in the air.

But by all means, keep making excuses...

[daisycutter 29,613]

I respect them. Just like I respected Simon Godfrey.

It doesn't mean I want them in the team.

And if Watts does lack the grey matter to make the most of his talents then it's a pity he went pick 1. Not easy to ascertain when judging juniors, but not impossible.

It's an indictment on Watts that he's a 196cm flanker. Jack Riewoldt is skinny, but he's brave in the air. Jeremy Cameron was skinny in his first couple of years, but he was brave in the air. And that's been Watts' achilles heel. He's not brave in the air.

But by all means, keep making excuses...

jack riewoldt skinny? fmd i've heard it all

[hardtack 10,537]

Travis Cloke isn't afraid. He impacts contests. Clokes also kicked 10 goals to Wattsy 4. I think Jack would do well to gain some confidence in a lower level

Hey, do you think Watts needs a spell in the 2's?

[Gator 17,332]

jack riewoldt skinny? fmd i've heard it all

C'mon. Riewoldt has never won contests by some beastly frame. He's never engaged in one on one tussles. He's used his athletic prowess and ability in the air.

Naturally, he's filled out over the years, but yes, he's always been on the skinny side.

Hardly a man mountain with barbell-laden muscles everywhere...

[71 Molloy 266]

jack riewoldt skinny? fmd i've heard it all

He's actually dropped weight for this year, around 3-4KG IIRC. Part of a plan to allow him to work up the ground further.

[sue 9,102]

I'd rather watch a tentative Watts than Richmond's arrogant sook.

[daisycutter 29,613]

He's actually dropped weight for this year, around 3-4KG IIRC. Part of a plan to allow him to work up the ground further.

r u seriously saying he is skinny?

[71 Molloy 266]

r u seriously saying he is skinny?

No, just he's skinnier than 14

[Ted Lasso 19,511]

Why are we comparing a half forward to a key forward and wondering why he can't do the same things?

Watts role is to lead hard, use the ball well going inside 50, keep his opponent accountable and if he is able to gain a mismatch take advantage and impact the scoreboard,

He's dropped a couple of marks due to technique, that is being addressed.

If Nathan jones did the same thing and a ball slipped through his hands no one would say a word, courage doesn't make a ball less slippery when it's pissing down rain, if he does that consistently on dry days it's a worry

[binman 42,902]

He's dropped a couple of marks due to technique, that is being addressed.

If Nathan jones did the same thing and a ball slipped through his hands no one would say a word, courage doesn't make a ball less slippery when it's pissing down rain, if he does that consistently on dry days it's a worry

Indeed. He has almost played 100 games of afl and it has never been an issue. Two dropped marks in the wet and it is a crisis. Edited April 29, 2015 by binman

[jabberwocky 2,301]

Indeed. He has almost played 100 games of afl and it has never been an issue. Two dropped marks in the wet and it is a crisis.

Come off it Binman. Keeping eyes on the footy in a marking contest has been a regular issue since day dot.

It's not a crisis because Watts is a handy half forward and not a core mid or Kpp.

Take away attachments to draft numbers and club loyalties and you have a mid tier player who needs to improve his game to stay relevant in an improving team.

[Lucifers Hero 39,739]

... you have a mid tier player who needs to improve his game to stay relevant in an improving team.

I'm a Watts fan but that part is a very fair comment, jabber

Edited April 29, 2015 by Lucifer's Hero

[beelzebub 23,350]

Come off it Binman. Keeping eyes on the footy in a marking contest has been a regular issue since day dot.

It's not a crisis because Watts is a handy half forward and not a core mid or Kpp.

Take away attachments to draft numbers and club loyalties and you have a mid tier player who needs to improve his game to stay relevant in an improving team.

Well put.

The whole notion of "laying off" is preposterous. Hes accountable.

Invariably those making excuses constantly inject the ' stop persecuting him for being a #1". For the most part those critiquing Jack could give a rats about that draft only the application of known/shown abilities.

He has shortcomings that ought to have been rightrd by now...given the 100 games everyone offers up.

I dont think anyone argues he doesnt do some good things, and yhe nature of the game is such all will make errors but a lot of Jacks come from ineffectual efforts often. Please read...not that he hadnt tried but that they were not effective. I DO watch Jack, often and it seems he does like space (possibly too much ) and gor a guy with pace to burn seldom puts on the afterburners. There are times it looks to me he could catch someone, but doesnt or he could lunge over a kick but doesnt and these are 1%'ers there for the doing.

I only judge him by him. I think he can do a lot better. This will be the last seadon he'll get away with it for mine.

Id really like to see the full Jack Watts. Itd be something.

[binman 42,902]

I'm a Watts fan but that part is a very fair comment, jabber

Yes I agree that part of jabbers post is fair. But I can not recall one other occasion watts has been accused of ducking his head (which is what this faux 'crisis' is about, not taking his eye of the ball)

[jabberwocky 2,301]

Yes I agree that part of jabbers post is fair. But I can not recall one other occasion watts has been accused of ducking his head (which is what this faux 'crisis' is about, not taking his eye of the ball)

I think it's pedantry not to consider that the issue is about focus in a marking situation in general and we are in the seventh year of this being an issue.

I would be absolutely certain that our coaching group would be aware of it and addressing it as would previous coaches.

On the positive side the demands on Jack to improve are very real and the threat of replacing him with a player who could have greater impact looms as a genuine reality now.

Pressure for spots will hopefully drive the group upwards.

If a standard Watts game isn't good enough to play in the ones, that is a great thing for the club.

[hemingway 7,627]

Well put.

The whole notion of "laying off" is preposterous. Hes accountable.

Invariably those making excuses constantly inject the ' stop persecuting him for being a #1". For the most part those critiquing Jack could give a rats about that draft only the application of known/shown abilities.

He has shortcomings that ought to have been rightrd by now...given the 100 games everyone offers up.

I dont think anyone argues he doesnt do some good things, and yhe nature of the game is such all will make errors but a lot of Jacks come from ineffectual efforts often. Please read...not that he hadnt tried but that they were not effective. I DO watch Jack, often and it seems he does like space (possibly too much ) and gor a guy with pace to burn seldom puts on the afterburners. There are times it looks to me he could catch someone, but doesnt or he could lunge over a kick but doesnt and these are 1%'ers there for the doing.

I only judge him by him. I think he can do a lot better. This will be the last seadon he'll get away with it for mine.

Id really like to see the full Jack Watts. Itd be something.

Beezle, I usually agree with your comments, but with Jack we have to live with it. Jack will be Jack and the opinions are always going to be the same. There will always be debate as to whether the criticism is fair or unfair. Whether he be in a Melbourne jumper or another club's jumper. I hope he remains a Demon and is just one of 22 players contributing to team success,

[Ted Lasso 19,511]

Jack is absolutely accountable but because he was a number one draft pick the execrations of him compared to any other half back flank are magnified, he was good on the weekend because he hit the score board and the half backs of the Tigers which is a strength of theirs had no impact on he game, jack played his role.

[beelzebub 23,350]

Jack is absolutely accountable but because he was a number one draft pick the execrations of him compared to any other half back flank are magnified, he was good on the weekend because he hit the score board and the half backs of the Tigers which is a strength of theirs had no impact on he game, jack played his role.

whilst there certainly existed such angst early on (being #1) i truly think thats long gone in most observers thinking.

I just compare average Jack to capable Jack. I think most do actually.

Hes now in his 6th season and i think most are judging him in light of that.

[Demon trucker 1,800]

Well put.

The whole notion of "laying off" is preposterous. Hes accountable.

Invariably those making excuses constantly inject the ' stop persecuting him for being a #1". For the most part those critiquing Jack could give a rats about that draft only the application of known/shown abilities.

He has shortcomings that ought to have been rightrd by now...given the 100 games everyone offers up.

I dont think anyone argues he doesnt do some good things, and yhe nature of the game is such all will make errors but a lot of Jacks come from ineffectual efforts often. Please read...not that he hadnt tried but that they were not effective. I DO watch Jack, often and it seems he does like space (possibly too much ) and gor a guy with pace to burn seldom puts on the afterburners. There are times it looks to me he could catch someone, but doesnt or he could lunge over a kick but doesnt and these are 1%'ers there for the doing.

I only judge him by him. I think he can do a lot better. This will be the last seadon he'll get away with it for mine.

Id really like to see the full Jack Watts. Itd be something.

People like you only see what they want to see, there are many good things jack does, i believe is one of the leading score involvements in the team, i think with jack he just has to back himself more like hogan does.

[beelzebub 23,350]

People like you only see what they want to see, there are many good things jack does, i believe is one of the leading score involvements in the team, i think with jack he just has to back himself more like hogan does.

I see what I see. I have already noted he does some good things, play some fine footy. Perhaps you did not see that.

[binman 42,902]

I think it's pedantry not to consider that the issue is about focus in a marking situation in general and we are in the seventh year of this being an issue.

I disagree but perhaps we are at cross points

The public debate (as opposed to ongoing critiques of his game on DL) in the last couple of weeks has been on whether he ducked his head in Adelaide and again against the tigers - not whether he goes hard enough in the air. In fact i don't recall any one outside of DL discussing how hard he goes for marks.

But as i recently posted i agree that he should commit himself to more marking contestants as he has a habit of staying down for crumbs but as i also said i think he really addressed that against the tigers flying for lots of marks.

I admire someone who works to address issues and Watts has addressed many of his short comings, for instance his appetite for contested ball and tackling skills. Jones did it with his kicking and i hope Tyson and Viney do the same

Edited April 29, 2015 by binman

[jazza 1,323]

I'd rather watch a tentative Watts than Richmond's arrogant sook.

You could've picked up a free membership for the tiges on friday night,bit bent and twisted,but free all the same.

[DistrACTION Jackson 8,724]

I mentioned earlier that I was pretty annoyed at the video posted on the AFL website about Jack Watts. I decided to write the following email to the club:

"I was extremely disappointed and angry at the video posted on the AFL website trying to show all of Jack Watts mistakes from Friday night. I don't think I have ever seen another player get scrutinised this way and think it is completely uncalled for. I hope that the club has brought this to the attention of the AFL and if not I think they should. Watts did some really good things on Friday night and I was very happy with a lot of his efforts. I want to see this club stick up for its players not just pretend it never happened.

Hoping that something can be done."

They just got back to me with the following:

"Thank you for your email and support of the Club.

The Club’s media manager has spoken to AFL Media about the video of Jack’s performance from Friday night’s game. We are disappointed that they have chosen to single out his performance in this way, particularly out of the entire competition.

We appreciate your feedback on the video. If you have any other queries, please do not hesitate to let us know."

It's good to see the club getting on the front foot in regards to that video.

Edited April 29, 2015 by Is Dom Is Good

[Chook 15,012]

I mentioned earlier that I was pretty annoyed at the video posted on the AFL website about Jack Watts. I decided to write the following email to the club:

"I was extremely disappointed and angry at the video posted on the AFL website trying to show all of Jack Watts mistakes from Friday night. I don't think I have ever seen another player get scrutinised this way and think it is completely uncalled for. I hope that the club has brought this to the attention of the AFL and if not I think they should. Watts did some really good things on Friday night and I was very happy with a lot of his efforts. I want to see this club stick up for its players not just pretend it never happened.

Hoping that something can be done."

They just got back to me with the following:

"Thank you for your email and support of the Club.

The Club’s media manager has spoken to AFL Media about the video of Jack’s performance from Friday night’s game. We are disappointed that they have chosen to single out his performance in this way, particularly out of the entire competition.

We appreciate your feedback on the video. If you have any other queries, please do not hesitate to let us know."

It's good to see the club getting on the front foot in regards to that video.

Well done to you and to the Club. It's not a nice reflection on the AFL that their official website would choose to mark a young player's 100th game with a video of all their mistakes, is it?

[binman 42,902]

I mentioned earlier that I was pretty annoyed at the video posted on the AFL website about Jack Watts. I decided to write the following email to the club:

"I was extremely disappointed and angry at the video posted on the AFL website trying to show all of Jack Watts mistakes from Friday night. I don't think I have ever seen another player get scrutinised this way and think it is completely uncalled for. I hope that the club has brought this to the attention of the AFL and if not I think they should. Watts did some really good things on Friday night and I was very happy with a lot of his efforts. I want to see this club stick up for its players not just pretend it never happened.

Hoping that something can be done."

They just got back to me with the following:

"Thank you for your email and support of the Club.

The Clubs media manager has spoken to AFL Media about the video of Jacks performance from Friday nights game. We are disappointed that they have chosen to single out his performance in this way, particularly out of the entire competition.

We appreciate your feedback on the video. If you have any other queries, please do not hesitate to let us know."

It's good to see the club getting on the front foot in regards to that video.

Top job dom