Lay off Jack Watts...

[Deestroy All 14,266]

Who comes in for him?

Dawes.

[jazza 1,323]

After Round 1, i was thinking FINALLY now he can shake off his detractors, he was awesome.

Since then, same old Jack.

How long does the club put up with it, is my question now.

100 games of what?

And i've been a staunch Watts supporter.

Yes,you've given him every chance.

Unfortunately ive seen the bloke not go when it was his turn almost weekly in the 100 games and thats the part of footy thats never tolerated at any level.

Dont hate the bloke or wish bad for him,but complete lack of heart and undefendable.

Was put up with in a below average team and now that the team build has started he just cant do any better than whats been for 100 games.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,289]

He'd wanna get himself into the game, can't defend this effort

While this is true, I hope the morons who give him the bronx cheers at the game have a good hard look at themselves. Yeah he's not playing well, yeah he may never live up to the hype but fair dinkum you would think its his fault we were getting dismantled by Freo. I might criticise him and argue why he maybe should gt dropped but you still support your players for [censored] sake. I cant believe the guy isn't an psychological mess considering what hes had to put up with.

[rpfc 28,769]

Try getting into form as a HFF with 39 Inside 50s...

Most of which were headed to the more dangerous Hogan.

The thread that we should all be in is "Melbourne's Midfield Sucks"...

[jazza 1,323]

Try getting into form as a HFF with 39 Inside 50s...

Most of which were headed to the more dangerous Hogan.

The thread that we should all be in is "Melbourne's Midfield Sucks"...

Most half forwards get the majority of their possies up the ground into the back 50.

Hell even garlett and JKH went up there to find the pill.

[Sir Why You Little 37,125]

I saw Jack play Schoolboy Footy

He still plays the same way

What has he learnt in 100 Games?

[jazza 1,323]

I saw Jack play Schoolboy Footy

He still plays the same way

What has he learnt in 100 Games?

Get a job directing traffic in the city when career is over.

[deanox 9,989]

Dawes.

They play different positions and will play in the same side.

It's possible that Pedersen could play as a HFF but he isn't an elite user of the ball, not sure how he'd go running up the ground.

I suspect Dawes will miss another. He injured his calf on Friday. 8 days won't be enough given his history of calf injuries.

Edited May 3, 2015 by deanox

[beelzebub 23,383]

Im not gonna hold back. Send him back to Casey until he completely bangs the door down.

Unfortunately i can't see this happening and for mine until we are this ruthless at times we'll never be a serious finals contender. There just is no places for passengers. Yeah , might be a great bloke, great trainer but that's all didly sqwat when the siren goes to start combat.

This bloke is just so bloody frustrating. You want him to do well...you really do.

No moxy, no mongrel...and oppositions know it. WATCH a game carefully and rarely does another coach worry over Watts. Time the club had a big rethink on Watts and the how and why of his relevance to us a a premiership contender ( or at least a wannabe )

[wattsjurrahdunne 88]

Today was it for me. Would be nearly the most ineffective game of any of his 100 and boy that is saying something.

Will further harm the "culture" of the playing list by NOT dropping him after that performance. Does anyone think Ross Lyon wouldn't have dropped him by now?

[beelzebub 23,383]

Well this is very relevant notion. What message does it convey ?

Doesnt matter what some 'project' players do. ...they're off limits re relegation! !

Surely what works one way has to be the same the other lest it becomes meaningless.

[Demon Disciple 12,273]

Drop and keep in the 2's until he is tearing down the door (which will be never).

Unfortunately for Watts, he had most of his apprenticeship with an insipid culture (which has clearly been ingrained into him). That and his natural aggression (virtually none), and competitive football just simply isn't his go.

He's not the only one who displays the culture we are trying to rid ourselves of, but he is the poster-boy for it. Move him on at year's end. He's had enough chances and is definately not a part of the foundation that needs to be strong and resilient. He's the class that adds the finishing touch, but we are not there yet.

No point wasting his talent as it will never shine at the MFC unfortunately. Would be best for both MFC and Jack for him to move on. A big and tough call, but i'd rather have a 60/40 win, than a 40/60 loss.

Edited May 3, 2015 by Demon Disciple

[jnrmac 20,185]

Try getting into form as a HFF with 39 Inside 50s...

Most of which were headed to the more dangerous Hogan.

The thread that we should all be in is "Melbourne's Midfield Sucks"...

The you aren't watching. Was deplorable today. Avoids physical contact like the plague. We were a man down today.

[jackaub 1,402]

So where are all the Jackie supporters and apologists this evening?Reality bites!

[48 Year Now 97]

MFC is all the better for offloading, Moloney, Sylvia, Frawley, Clark etc. Watts will not be missed for his game day efforts.

[Emerald 1,744]

He needs a preseason playing rugby and mma training to instill some mongrel in him.

[Buzzy 992]

Try getting into form as a HFF with 39 Inside 50s...

Most of which were headed to the more dangerous Hogan.

The thread that we should all be in is "Melbourne's Midfield Sucks"...

There were multiple opportunities offered when Melbourne players looked up from half back, desperate for an option.

And there was Watts, jogging slowly in small circles. Making an art form of always being just slightly too close or slightly too far away.

[Demonsone 2,043]

No hunger for the contest or body on the line stuff.... Just can't get into a contest...Can't tackle...

Unfortunately it's ingrained into his method of play will never change...

His future is limited

[jackaub 1,402]

MFC is all the better for offloading, Moloney, Sylvia, Frawley, Clark etc. Watts will not be missed for his game day efforts.

In fact when MFC get rid of him it may send a really good message to the rest of the team and they may respond

If you notice they do not kick it to Jack Either they dont trust him with the ball I doubt this or they are trying to send a message that "Dont make me play with a guy" who refuses to put in.

Next week will be very very interesting.

Edited May 3, 2015 by jackaub

[Deestroy All 14,266]

They play different positions and will play in the same side.

It's possible that Pedersen could play as a HFF but he isn't an elite user of the ball, not sure how he'd go running up the ground.

I suspect Dawes will miss another. He injured his calf on Friday. 8 days won't be enough given his history of calf injuries.

Whatever Watts' position is supposed to be, I'll take Pedo doing his thing, he and Dawes can take turns leading up or playing deep.

Pedo isn't an elite user of the ball? Neither is 2015 Watts. His best game in round one he butchered easy kicks, and in the following games he's lobbed Cam Bruce specials onto teammates heads 25m away many times, all resulting in turnovers.

He has been a splendid user of the ball in the past, but this year it's been below average, which is why so many are on his back again, his disposal was his only value to the team.

He's not marking around the ground, he's not tackling, he's not having shots on goal, what's he doing?

[praha 11,240]

Who comes in for him?

Inanimate carbon rod.

[deanox 9,989]

Whatever Watts' position is supposed to be, I'll take Pedo doing his thing, he and Dawes can take turns leading up or playing deep.

Pedo isn't an elite user of the ball? Neither is 2015 Watts. His best game in round one he butchered easy kicks, and in the following games he's lobbed Cam Bruce specials onto teammates heads 25m away many times, all resulting in turnovers.

He has been a splendid user of the ball in the past, but this year it's been below average, which is why so many are on his back again, his disposal was his only value to the team.

He's not marking around the ground, he's not tackling, he's not having shots on goal, what's he doing?

Fair points, he is down on form.

I am warming to the idea of Pedo, Dawes and Hogan up forward without Watts. Vandenberg will have a stint forward, as can Howe and Jamar, so there are still options, and Pedo on the flanks could provide a decent option.

I want to clarify that I am not defending Watts, nor trying to claim he is anything he isn't, just trying to make sure we are having a realistic conversation. I suspect many of those screaming to drop Watts are also saying McKenzie should never play again. Unfortunately, at the moment we can't have it both ways, we have a clear best 22 and not much depth, so if one of those best 22 is to be dropped when fit, we need a very good reason and plan for his replacement.

[ding 5,126]

I loved this guys skills early on, and thought that when he finally found some courage/desperation he could be a world beater. Pass me the humble pie.

His heart simply isnt in the game. Early on his career he stated something along the lines of "I dont get too upset about losing, its only a game" (Paraphrasing here)

He, in my opinion, will never be anything more than another bust as an MFC first round pick. (100 games of evidence is more than enough to form a solid opinion)

MFC cannot afford any more players with so little courage or willingness to put their body on the line.

Cant be traded soon enough as far as i am concerned. At this stage i wouldnt even care if he was just delisted.

Potato.

[Deestroy All 14,266]

Fair points, he is down on form.

I am warming to the idea of Pedo, Dawes and Hogan up forward without Watts. Vandenberg will have a stint forward, as can Howe and Jamar, so there are still options, and Pedo on the flanks could provide a decent option.

I want to clarify that I am not defending Watts, nor trying to claim he is anything he isn't, just trying to make sure we are having a realistic conversation. I suspect many of those screaming to drop Watts are also saying McKenzie should never play again. Unfortunately, at the moment we can't have it both ways, we have a clear best 22 and not much depth, so if one of those best 22 is to be dropped when fit, we need a very good reason and plan for his replacement.

Absolutely, we don't have depth in many positions, but Pedo is a genuine option for Watts. Dawes has much better defensive pressure, his tackles stick and hurt.

I said 2 weeks ago there doesn't have to be any shame in Watts being dropped, it happens, he needs time to improve himself. In the spotlight against teams of killers isn't the place to do it, which is now obvious.

[Gator 17,449]

I've overrated his talent.

He has some nice skillsets and at times does a clever thing, but, in reality, he's a bog ordinary footballer.

The fact that he doesn't work hard and is one of the softest players I've laid eyes on doesn't help.