I've read a couple of posters question Howe's value as a "high half-forward".

I advocated Howe going back, but am in favour of him returning forward - at least more often.

He's now got 80 games under his belt, but, more importantly, he has the luxury of playing as a third or fourth tall. When did he have that in year's past ? He's hardly played with Clark, Dawes has missed large junks and Hogan wasn't there.

Unlike Watts, Howe is brave in the air and while shorter than Gunston can fill that type of role with his aerial ability. Gunston has better smarts, but I reckon Howe can return to the forward-line and be a real danger and awkward matchup.

I've read a couple of posters question Howe's value as a "high half-forward".

I advocated Howe going back, but am in favour of him returning forward - at least more often.

He's now got 80 games under his belt, but, more importantly, he has the luxury of playing as a third or fourth tall. When did he have that in year's past ? He's hardly played with Clark, Dawes has missed large junks and Hogan wasn't there.

Unlike Watts, Howe is brave in the air and while shorter than Gunston can fill that type of role with his aerial ability. Gunston has better smarts, but I reckon Howe can return to the forward-line and be a real danger and awkward matchup.

If he takes a few marks i50 like he did last week, I'll take that, I think he's good enough at both ends, just needs to apply a more consistent effort in order to become the player he can be

Very courageous In's by Roosy this week against a full strength Sydney.

I feel for Grimesy not getting a second game to try rebuild confidence but I see the outs and I see the in's and I think, past and future.

I'm excited!!!!!

Might try The Australian NYC facebook page. it is an Australian Sports bar. Never been there but might be worth a try.

Given the game is on at 5:20am local time and I have to work from 8 until 1 then fly to London, I don't think I'll be venturing anywhere.

Thanks anyways.

I've read a couple of posters question Howe's value as a "high half-forward".

I advocated Howe going back, but am in favour of him returning forward - at least more often.

He's now got 80 games under his belt, but, more importantly, he has the luxury of playing as a third or fourth tall. When did he have that in year's past ? He's hardly played with Clark, Dawes has missed large junks and Hogan wasn't there.

Unlike Watts, Howe is brave in the air and while shorter than Gunston can fill that type of role with his aerial ability. Gunston has better smarts, but I reckon Howe can return to the forward-line and be a real danger and awkward matchup.

Unlike Howe, Watts can kick goals regularly.

Unlike Howe, Watts can kick goals regularly.

I thought Watts could kick 40 goals this year as a permanent forward.

Needless to say, his "efforts" have been a tremendous disappointment thus far.

Tempted to put house on it at $4.60.

jack watts is currently the greg chappell of the mfc - just like chappell wasn't playing badly, and kept getting out, jack watts is running around and not getting the ball.

he looks like he's running around, he's just not running to where the ball is or possibly might be.

i would've dropped him and told him to go find the ball, but given that not the messiah swung the ax elsewhere at the selection table, he was probably always going to get dropped.

michie is not all there - 0 tackles against freo, and bugger all attempts. even titular boy made more than that.

jamar smashed by minson and sandilands, i don't reckon he can go against the 'big' boys anymore. he's okay against the likes of maric, smith, more 'lanky' types, but spencer? fark. something about desperate times, desperate measures...

grimes was destroyed by mundy and turned it over again. such a shame he's turned out another monumentally average footballer.

Edited May 8, 201510 yr by DemonAndrew

Tempted to put house on it at $4.60.

Don't

Why would anyone play Pedersen in front of Watts. It beggars belief. Someone even mentioned Fitzpatrick. The fact remains that an average Watts is still in our best 22.

Why would anyone play Pedersen in front of Watts. It beggars belief. Someone even mentioned Fitzpatrick. The fact remains that an average Watts is still in our best 22.

Err no his not.

Based on form he shouldn't even be in the side.

Can one of the Watts haters tell me who's replacing him in the lineup once he's dropped?

For all the Watts lovers, it was once unthinkable that Grimes was not best 22, but look how that turned out and we're not looking back and I don't hear too many complaints.

Why would anyone play Pedersen in front of Watts. It beggars belief. Someone even mentioned Fitzpatrick. The fact remains that an average Watts is still in our best 22.

I dont believe this is so any more JW makes us effectively on man down no matter ho skill full he is he actually has to play the ball and get the ball

Why would anyone play Pedersen in front of Watts. It beggars belief. Someone even mentioned Fitzpatrick. The fact remains that an average Watts is still in our best 22.

He's still in the 22 because he is a former pick 1 and will get preferential treatment until he makes it or busts. It's wrong but it is what it is

jack watts is currently the greg chappell of the mfc - just like chappell wasn't playing badly, and kept getting out, jack watts is running around and not getting the ball.

he looks like he's running around, he's just not running to where the ball is or possibly might be.

i would've dropped him and told him to go find the ball, but given that not the messiah swung the ax elsewhere at the selection table, he was probably always going to get dropped.

michie is not all there - 0 tackles against freo, and bugger all attempts. even titular boy made more than that.

jamar smashed by minson and sandilands, i don't reckon he can go against the 'big' boys anymore. he's okay against the likes of maric, smith, more 'lanky' types, but spencer? fark. something about desperate times, desperate measures...

grimes was destroyed by mundy and turned it over again. such a shame he's turned out another monumentally average footballer.

Agree with all Demon Andrew but I reckon Jamar "Held his own" given his one man band status.

Clearly our team balance means we have no alternative go forward goal kicker who can ruck with equal efficiency.

Roos and Co have brought in 22 new faces since being appointed. The ones left that weren't a part of his regime are Mckenzie, Grimes, Jamar,Trengove, Gawn, Spencer. Toumpas, Watts. All these are being given last chances. Cross may go seasons end, although I hope not.

Viney is safe. Jones is safe. He signed Watts on with the promise to him he would give him every opportunity to develop, the development has gone as far as it can go. He has to shape up or ship out.

The backline is safe.

I think this year is the final major clean out. He will give the VFL seniors one more chance to prove their worth, then it's Sayonara.

Don't be surprised to see more changes in the coming weeks.

I'm not a a Watts lover by any means but he's in our current best 22

I'm not a a Watts lover by any means but he's in our current best 22

He is if he turns up to play but I think that has only happened once - on this years form I would say he is not

Not a fan of the old one week in, one week out. McKenzie was the sub and was terrible when he came on anyway; but Grimes is our ex-captain and did a fine to great job on Ballantine. I would have kept him in the side. I love the rest of the changes, but wouldn't mind a late Grimes for Watts swap.

Maybe Roos will do that to avoid two days of "Where's Watts at?" sniping from the Media. Here's hoping.

Grimes didn't play on Ballantyne and his history as captain should have no bearing on whether he ever plays or get another contract again.

Edited May 9, 201510 yr by AdamFarr

I'm not a a Watts lover by any means but he's in our current best 22

Only because we have no depth pushing up from Casey and Viney injured. He wouldn't be in anyone else's best 22. We are still at least 1 draft away from having any depth to avoid playing NQR players from pre Roos era drafting.

Roos and Co have brought in 22 new faces since being appointed. The ones left that weren't a part of his regime are Mckenzie, Grimes, Jamar,Trengove, Gawn, Spencer. Toumpas, Watts. All these are being given last chances. Cross may go seasons end, although I hope not.

Viney is safe. Jones is safe. He signed Watts on with the promise to him he would give him every opportunity to develop, the development has gone as far as it can go. He has to shape up or ship out.

The backline is safe.

I think this year is the final major clean out. He will give the VFL seniors one more chance to prove their worth, then it's Sayonara.

Don't be surprised to see more changes in the coming weeks.

Cross may go at seasons end? In what context?

And telling us the the likes of Viney/Jones are safe!... ummm well yer

Edited May 9, 201510 yr by Rusty Nails

Grimes didn't play on Ballantyne and his history as captain should have no bearing on whether he ever plays or get another contract again.

He did play on Ballantyne and his history as a captain should have a bearing on how the club treats him. He was a very important part of the fabric of our club for 2 years. While he shouldn't be gifted games, he should be treated with respect. Have we learned nothing from our experiences with James McDonald and Brad Green?

He's still in the 22 because he is a former pick 1 and will get preferential treatment until he makes it or busts. It's wrong but it is what it is

give it up! This is so insulting - to so many people!

give it up! This is so insulting - to so many people!

LOL yeah rightio

Edited May 9, 201510 yr by dazzledavey36

Cross may go at seasons end? In what context?

And telling us the the likes of Viney/Jones are safe!... ummm well yer

Cross rarely gets his hands on the footy first. He's not "first dibs" and nor is he overly "inside". He's slow and doesn't have elite disposal. I like him and he's added to our hardness around the contest, but I suspect it will be time to move him on at year's end.

The Dogs packed his bags 2 years ago and they'd hardly be regretting their decision. We'll have youth that needs to be exposed to best 22 football at the expense of a 33 year old, which he'll be next year,