Lay off Jack Watts...

[jumbo returns 6,737]

'By some', every player at some point has been hopeless and needed to be traded.

Tom Mc always had promise, toughness and overall obvious hunger for the contest. Different scenario, as he has now become one of the best key position backs in the league while Watts is still struggling to find his feet. It also doesn't help Watts that he was a number one pick - that will hang over him forever when people discuss his career.

I still believe that JW deserves some decent coaching.

[Macca 16,903]

If people here can judge Watts as just another player then they will see his value - just lose those expectations that he's supposed to be a top player because he was drafted as a top end pick ... he was a standout junior, that's it.

Maybe people here need to think like the coach or if you were on the match committee - do that, and he stays in the side. I'm certain that Roos & co would be looking at Watts as just another player and his draft pick number would be irrelevant in their eyes.

He does have some real upside if Roos is able to create a mis-match for him - that mis-match is dependent on Hogan & Dawes both playing well and our midfield playing well.

The criticisms of Watts' shortcomings are valid but we don't focus in on the shortcomings of other players to the same degree. So he ends up being judged unfairly because of the lack of context and his draft pick number.

[timD 994]

My thoughts exactly.

Have a look at Dunn's pathetic effort in the second quarter on Edwards which led to their goal in the goalsquare. If that had been Watts there would be an entire thread on it. Instead, it hasn't even rated a single mention as far as I can tell.

I was furious with that. All he had to do was lower his butt and move through the line of the ball. Nothing dirty and nothing dangerous in it for him or edwards. He chose not to put in the effort...and 'land stays silent.

I wonder if the posters who bag Watts (as opposed to constructively assess and there is a fair difference) think about how inconsistent and frankly weak their own efforts are?

[Bobby McKenzie 2,383]

He's not a hard nut, BB...as opposed to some of your favourite players

But, he's played 90 odd games, the majority of those under a coaching regime that had nfi.

He deserves some Roos' development.

100 this week.

[Bobby McKenzie 2,383]

It's completely accurate.

No it is NOT mate! Specsavers for you! Watts really put in last night and played his role. You are very biased in your comments.

[Demon trucker 1,800]

Friday night was a good night for JW, when was the last time we won and JW had a bad game, every win we have had JW has played well, friday night might show jack that he does not have to star for the dees to win, hopefully this will ease the pressure on jack, and make him realise he does not have to star for the team to win just play his role.

[stuie 7,374]

I'm certain that Roos & co would be looking at Watts as just another player and his draft pick number would be irrelevant in their eyes.

1. Pin this to the top of thread.

2. Close thread.

3. No more Watts threads for 2015.

4. Profit.

[Macca 16,903]

1. Pin this to the top of thread.

2. Close thread.

3. No more Watts threads for 2015.

4. Profit.

Mine is just an opinion stuie ... he's still got to perform like any other player.

I reckon we've got about 12-14 performing to satisfactory or better levels (in terms of what the team needs) We get to 18-20 and we're doing very well ... and if 6-8 can take their game to another level we're cooking with gas.

Watts has a role to play with a fair bit of upside - I don't see anyone in the 2's taking his spot in a hurry (Pedersen is more of a utilty/2nd ruck option)

It's all about the team - creating mis-matches is where Watts comes into proceedings. Others like Watts can play a role when we create an advantage but can they be as damaging in that scenario?

[Gator 17,261]

So what are you saying about Roos? And don't bother telling me what to do, I'll watch with interest thanks.

You can do what you like.

Clearly Roos doesn't agree with me. He's the super coach and I'm just a mug supporter. No biggie.

Not sure why supporters take others views so personally. If I was rapt in Watts you wouldn't care, so the fact that I reckon he's borderline useless shouldn't worry you either.

[Deestroy All 14,262]

How about Newton, Dunn, Michie etc... are pulling their weight, their positive influence far outweighs the negatives they are doing at the moment so they're escaping criticism.

Lumumba you can have, I don't like him, never wanted him. His last 3 weeks reminded me exactly why.

Watts, however, is in such poor form his positives come nowhere near his negatives, he's cost us momentum against Adelaide, brought the spotlight on himself with questionable marking attempts in that game, then backs it up with another in the Richmond game. A skill error? He looked down and closed his eyes, that was the error.

I get it, people are sick of seeing him cop it, we want to defend our own, but some of you are going to to extremes the other way in doing so and are coming across as delusional.

It's bad luck for Jack, but the criticism is warranted and there for a reason.

[beelzebub 23,313]

'By some', every player at some point has been hopeless and needed to be traded.

Tom Mc always had promise, toughness and overall obvious hunger for the contest. Different scenario, as he has now become one of the best key position backs in the league while Watts is still struggling to find his feet. It also doesn't help Watts that he was a number one pick - that will hang over him forever when people discuss his career.

i agree re the #1 albatross but i for one disregard this in my thinkings of Jack.

What i look at is a player with a huge goodie bag full of abilities. Hes a bit of a thinker...possibly serial overthinker.

Beautiful kicking. Very good pace. Good athleticism. ..if a tad under-gunned.

What i also see is a player who often fails in that last lurch. He seldom smothers ( even when he can) i wont over tax the fingers and toes counting shepherds. Whilst he know where to present ( and is invariably overlooked...what does THAT say )hes very poor in getting into a position in play. He gets lost often, tells me he lacks intuition in terms of general play.

He seems to lack an appetite fir the crunch and us lazy in tackling. EVERYONE should be able to stick a tackle or get out of AFL for mine.

Hes how many years in the system ? His use by date for apologies is well done by.

Id love Jack to be even half of what his cameos suggest.

This is Afl...to be a more than handy team you cant carry nqr passengers no matter watt the pedigree.

He is paid handsomely by the way. TISM

Edited April 26, 2015 by beelzebub

[rpfc 28,248]

How about Newton, Dunn, Michie etc... are pulling their weight, their positive influence far outweighs the negatives they are doing at the moment so they're escaping criticism.

Lumumba you can have, I don't like him, never wanted him. His last 3 weeks reminded me exactly why.

Watts, however, is in such poor form his positives come nowhere near his negatives, he's cost us momentum against Adelaide, brought the spotlight on himself with questionable marking attempts in that game, then backs it up with another in the Richmond game. A skill error? He looked down and closed his eyes, that was the error.

I get it, people are sick of seeing him cop it, we want to defend our own, but some of you are going to to extremes the other way in doing so and are coming across as delusional.

It's bad luck for Jack, but the criticism is warranted and there for a reason.

I don't think there are many disagreeing with your last line - the point being made by timD and t_u is that we ignore others that perpetrate the same sins as Watts. That isn't delusion.

Don't lump all those that think he cops too much nonsense, with the few who say he shouldn't cop anything.

[Lucifers Hero 39,504]

Our captain said on national television today that they were really happy with Jack's game on Friday night and he had responded really well to the criticisms of his 'mistakes' the previous week. Why is that not enough for the Watts bashers?

Again, lets all get behind Jack this week leading into his 100th game for our beloved red and blue.

[beelzebub 23,313]

Our captain said on national television today that they were really happy with Jack's game on Friday night and he had responded really well to the criticisms of his 'mistakes' the previous week. Why is that not enough for the Watts bashers?

Again, lets all get behind Jack this week leading into his 100th game for our beloved red and blue.

jones doesnt pay bills. He doesn't pay to follow the club...in fact hes on the other end....just saying.

Is Jack accountable to Chunk ...Absolutely ? Wouldn't think so. Nice of Nate to vack a team mate...Personally dont give a fcuk.

I want a premiership.

I don't get paid...in fact the opposite.

[Chook 15,012]

jones doesnt pay bills. He doesn't pay to follow the club...in fact hes on the other end....just saying.

Is Jack accountable to Chunk ...Absolutely ? Wouldn't think so. Nice of Nate to vack a team mate...Personally dont give a fcuk.

I want a premiership.

I don't get paid...in fact the opposite.

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,326]

I remember some years ago many on here wanted Jones gone. Too slow, tried to do too much, too short etc.

I wasn't one of those people, incidentally were you?

Also a couple of years ago the same happened to Dunn.

Watts has pros and cons to his game and IMO in an improving side he will be a better player for us.

I think Roos clearly shares my view.

BTW I was furious in the Crows game over those dropped marks, but there is more to him than that.

Garlett hasn't kicked a set shot and goes missing for chunks of games, do we dump him.

Even our new idol missed a set shot from about 13 metres against the Crows.

Watts will improve and prove a few people wrong.

Ive been wrong about a few players over the years but Jones wasn't one of them. Watts has all the talent in the world and is now surrounded by an elite coaching panel, it's up to him. The thing that I find interesting is there's three schools of thought about Watts.

1 - needs to dropped, lost his confidence, not earning his spot

2 - he's doing his role there's no problem

3 - he's still learning/developed wrong/he's trying

I said in an earlier post, I liken him to Grimes last year, he's in for now can't afford to have him sitting at Casey next year. That would be a big waste of our salary cap.

[beelzebub 23,313]

try engaging brain ...not youtube

[jabberwocky 2,301]

Who is more at fault, those who are over-critical of Watts or those who demand that he should be immune to scrutiny?

[Spirit of 26 261]

I reckon he's a list glogger now.

John Northey was big on players having "a red hot go" - not sure Watts fits the bill.

[Deestroy All 14,262]

Who is more at fault, those who are over-critical of Watts or those who demand that he should be immune to scrutiny?

Jack Watts' fault.

But seriously, they're (we're) equally at fault. The truth is somewhere in the middle.

He has talent, he has things he really needs to work on.

The question is does he do it in the 1's or 2's?

[jumbo returns 6,737]

I reckon he's a list glogger now.

John Northey was big on players having "a red hot go" - not sure Watts fits the bill.

I loved the Northey era, Spirit, but them times is gone. We had an amazingly tough team that never took an [censored] from any team....

but...

we need finishers, we need guys that will do something with the ball....we need a confident JW.

[Pipefitter 2,149]

Those kicks on friday night just showed he is mentally shot at the moment.

[mo64 5,853]

Watts stays in the team because he still offers more than those playing at Casey, despite his skill level being down this year. And he is still contributing to the team.

After watching the replay for a 2nd time, there's no doubt that he works hard when it comes to running both ways, but he doesn't work hard in a contest, and never has. All his coaches have bent over backwards to accommodate him, by changing his roles to suit his play. But at the end of the day, it's up to him to show more heart for the contest.

[Deestar3 167]

Notice how all the players love Roos...back each other & themselves. They're playing as a united group & they are excited with the direction the club is heading. I'm excited at where the club is going...I'm excited for the players & the other long-suffering demon supporters. How about us as Supporters do what the players are doing & bond together & just back one of our own...I am heartily sick of everyone who is not involved with the MCG bagging Jack Watts. Love him or hate him....he has been one of the most criticised players of recent times & it is so unfair. Can we just not have threads like this any more....he is just one player on our list .....he doesn't deserve the pages of stupid threads.....criticise him or laud him but do it as just as one of the 22 players that take the field. And FFS show a bit of loyalty &'respect the to club, the coaches & the players you support & don't act like every half assed supporter & media sycophant out there. I for one will never post on another Jack Watts thread (unless it's to say I told you so)!

[beelzebub 23,313]

Who is more at fault, those who are over-critical of Watts or those who demand that he should be immune to scrutiny?

Jack is accountable for Jack