Whether he's named as emergency, plays, doesn't play he is not the type of player that will take us forward. For all involved just get the trade done.

Watts is a perfect example of - we may have stalled his development by a year or two but we didn't stuff it. He had elite skills and footy smarts when we drafted him. Fast forward 6/7 years and guess what....he still has them.

Quick someone tell me he laid 7 tackles last week, getting tackled by Watts is like having a fly land on the back of your neck.

Paul Roos was right about our supporters....................

All true - but Natanui would have retreated back to his native WA within 4 years of being drafted - guaranteed.

At least Wattsy stuck by us and signed a long contract during the height of our incompetence.

Like Hogan?

If we don't recruit players based on our belief we won't be able to retain them then we may as well pack up shop as a professional club.

Paul Roos was right about our supporters....................

Sadly true. Watts must actually be pretty tough mentally. Not only does he have to put up with 'support' from supporters, but I've noticed that he often gets bronx cheers from opposition supporters. That says a lot about the inferiority complexes of such people.

Sadly true. Watts must actually be pretty tough mentally. Not only does he have to put up with 'support' from supporters, but I've noticed that he often gets bronx cheers from opposition supporters. That says a lot about the inferiority complexes of such people.

Tough mentally? The one area of his game that is lacking. You're right, it does say a lot.

No idea....

I should clarify his inability to compete/contest is all in his head.

Tough mentally? The one area of his game that is lacking. You're right, it does say a lot.

No idea....

Say what you like about him but I think he has a strength of character that most probably don't realise. As Sue said, he cops it from everyone. Opposition fans, Media and Commentators, and of course Melbourne fans.

He's been the worst handled top draft pick ever which has contributed to it, and Melbourne fans will never get over the fact that he's just not going to be the player we want him to be.

That said out on the field I wouldn't say he's mentally or any kind of tough.

Say what you like about him but I think he has a strength of character that most probably don't realise. As Sue said, he cops it from everyone. Opposition fans, Media and Commentators, and of course Melbourne fans.

He's been the worst handled top draft pick ever which has contributed to it, and Melbourne fans will never get over the fact that he's just not going to be the player we want him to be.

That said out on the field I wouldn't say he's mentally or any kind of tough.

There needs to be a difference between what supporters expect from Watts and what supporters expect from Watts because of his no.1 status. A perfect example being Salem, he went pick 9. I expect from him elite kicking and more often than not choosing the right option the first time under pressure. Why? Because I know he's got it in him. I also expect him to be accountable defensively. Tmac went pick 50 something, what do I expect from him? I expect him to make most contests and spoil the ball or read the play and take an intercept mark from opposition kicks. I don't expect him to set up play coming out of defence. When he decides to goes for a run it worries me but he's having a crack trying to take the game on and generate something. If we can find someone to pair up with Salem (and it's not Grimes because he can go to) on the other flank he might be less inclined to do so. But the bare minimum is I expect them to compete.

Draft pick aside we know Watts is an elite user of the footy and is bloody smart but it all counts for nothing. Opposition clubs don't pay him much respect. Numerous occasions this year he's played on younger less skilled opponents, he should be licking his lips thinking "I'm going to teach this bloke a lesson". And nothing....

He debut was a year too early but we didn't stuff his career. Paddy McCartin was played too early this year, is his whole career stuffed?

He's still has the same elite disposal and footy smarts he was drafted with.

It never ceases to amaze me that some of you blokes focus so much on Watts. There are plenty of other players performing below expectations or hopes, but with the recent exception of Toumpas no one looks at their draft and says their NikNat equivalent would have been so much better.

It's not that people focus so much on Watts, it's that so many people continue to jump to his defence and make excuses for his performances which means others have to continue providing the rebuttals to these ill-informed views.

It's not that people focus so much on Watts, it's that so many people continue to jump to his defence and make excuses for on his performances mistakes which means others have to continue providing the rebuttals to these ill-informed views.

Changing a couple of words (in red) makes it so easy to put the opposite view

Edited September 6, 201510 yr by Lucifer's Hero

Dear Sue,Watts has been given an enormous amount of oppurtunity to succeed ahead of Jamar and Fitzpatrick.We have to be brutality honest he will never "cut the mustard",the Whites,Harmes,O.Mac,Hunt,Brayshaw,Petracca will or have exceeded his playing ability.

I will guarrantee you that our next lot of draftees will also be better, Watts will quickly become irrelevant.RESISTANCE IS FUTILE. The same scenario may apply to DAWES,HOWE and GARLAND.For the so called players playing below expectations they will be

culled this time around.

Changing a couple of words (in red) makes it so easy to put the opposite view

Easy, but incorrect.

Sadly true. Watts must actually be pretty tough mentally. Not only does he have to put up with 'support' from supporters, but I've noticed that he often gets bronx cheers from opposition supporters. That says a lot about the inferiority complexes of such people.

The sad part of of this saga is that his critics talk like he is a monster, a law breaking fiend. They are not supporters of the MFC but arrogant critics who lack football knowledge. Jack has had a good season and is a wonderful role model for the kids. The way he absorbs these ravings demonstrates that he has great intestinal fortitude. An important human characteristic.

The sad part of of this saga is that his critics talk like he is a monster, a law breaking fiend. They are not supporters of the MFC but arrogant critics who lack football knowledge. Jack has had a good season and is a wonderful role model for the kids. The way he absorbs these ravings demonstrates that he has great intestinal fortitude. An important human characteristic.

Well that's not hyperbole at all.

People criticise him based on his footy, nothing more nothing less.

He hasn't had a good season at all - he had a good 5-6 weeks mid-season but was pathetic early in the year and has been poor the last month or so.

And to paraphrase Bill Hicks "since when did mediocrity and banality become a good role model for your kids? I want footy players that play with [censored] HEART!!!"

My guess is it's an end of year kick up the arse to keep working hard and to keep improving

Big preseason for Watts and the club

Dear Sue,Watts has been given an enormous amount of oppurtunity to succeed ahead of Jamar and Fitzpatrick.We have to be brutality honest he will never "cut the mustard",the Whites,Harmes,O.Mac,Hunt,Brayshaw,Petracca will or have exceeded his playing ability.

I will guarrantee you that our next lot of draftees will also be better, Watts will quickly become irrelevant.RESISTANCE IS FUTILE. The same scenario may apply to DAWES,HOWE and GARLAND.For the so called players playing below expectations they will be

culled this time around.

Dear ENYAW - it is possible to express the views I have without thinking Watts is the bees-knees or any where near it. I say he cops it out of all proportion to his performance. Doubtless this is because of disappointed hopes in a #1 pick. Understandable as that is, it doesn't justify the over-the-top continual denigration.

Dr Gonzo's remarked that this only happens because people defend him. Like every week I see a new (or hijacked) thread that starts off by praising Watts. Ha.

Well that's not hyperbole at all.

People criticise him based on his footy, nothing more nothing less.

He hasn't had a good season at all - he had a good 5-6 weeks mid-season but was pathetic early in the year and has been poor the last month or so.

Calling him gutless, spineless, weak, soft is a reflection of him as a person. Think about it if I called you that. You would be affronted.

Calling him gutless, spineless, weak, soft is a reflection of him as a person. Think about it if I called you that. You would be affronted.

He is soft though. Havent you seen him play?

He is soft though. Havent you seen him play?

He is a lot tougher than you. Have you played the game at all? You don't have to be a basher like you seem to want.

The sad part of of this saga is that his critics talk like he is a monster, a law breaking fiend. They are not supporters of the MFC but arrogant critics who lack football knowledge. Jack has had a good season and is a wonderful role model for the kids. The way he absorbs these ravings demonstrates that he has great intestinal fortitude. An important human characteristic.

Only 3 likes so far, hang in there you might get some more.

What garbage. The posters that criticise him actually put forward reasonable arguments. The ones defending him keep putting up the same rot.

None of this conversation would be taking place if Jack had the Attitude to succeed and get better.

He has had ample opportunities. He just does not possess the fire in the belly to exert his skills more than sporadicaly

Only 3 likes so far, hang in there you might get some more.

What garbage. The posters that criticise him actually put forward reasonable arguments. The ones defending him keep putting up the same rot.

I just added one more, AD.

The sad part of of this saga is that his critics talk like he is a monster, a law breaking fiend. They are not supporters of the MFC but arrogant critics who lack football knowledge. Jack has had a good season and is a wonderful role model for the kids. The way he absorbs these ravings demonstrates that he has great intestinal fortitude. An important human characteristic.

What a pathetic post. Where has someone done that? Called him a monster or a fiend?

And then you call them arrogant critics who lack football knowledge? I think you have amply demonstrated who has the arrogant opinion. Oh yes, your opinion is worth more than others. Of course.

Get of his back he has endured the worst type if supporter? For too long , hear it every week from a few in outer , its a fallback , the guy at work who always asks a co worker or leader before thinking . he is aware of his weaknesses and is in the top dozen players at the club . My fear is he has requested a trade .