2015 Player Review - # 4 Jack Watts

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,359]

Not saying it's a great result for a talented player, but the question was "is he in our best 22?" and currently he's our 18th best player, so yes, he is.

On his skills set and footy smarts he is top 3 on our list.

My friend who coaches under 16's TAC attends (or used to) AFL coaching clinics. Guest speakers have included names such as Clarkson, Longmire, Parkin, Pagan and Jumbo's favourites the Scott brothers.

They were asked about what they look for when they are/were recruiting, their answers were pretty similar

- natural competitors

- elite disposal

- footy smarts

And they were in that order. They acknowledged that classier outside players were still required to win their own ball on occasions and lay a tackle/smother/shepherd.

No doubt there will be an example of someone that doesn't fit that bill but that's what they were saying.

They deemed footy smarts as being easiest to teach to a player. Where to run, where to set up, how to position your body etc....

You cannot teach someone to be a competitor, it's in them if it's not.

The one i really disagreed with was it took some stupid amount of hours(I think he said a couple of hindered??) to change someone's kicking technique. But he was probably right, Franklin runs on a arc, Kennedy does the stutter step, both unorthodox but work. Cloke is still a mess.

Set shots obviously different from in transition.

[Redleg 40,843]

I have been a supporter of Jack all the way, despite some anger at a few incidents and I can see why he would be considered for a trade.

However I thought he improved his game this year, actually took a couple of hard marks after the debacle head duck game and got a bit better.

Given his height, versatility and skills and the fact that we are getting harder and better all over the ground, we can afford to keep Jack and hope that he becomes the player we would like him to be.

The fact that he seems to want to stay is another plus.

[H_T 3,043]

Would like him to stay.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

Finished 18th in the Bluey, so that would mean yes right?

Not when a bunch of those who finished behind him missed huge chunks of the year

[stuie 7,374]

On his skills set and footy smarts he is top 3 on our list.

My friend who coaches under 16's TAC attends (or used to) AFL coaching clinics. Guest speakers have included names such as Clarkson, Longmire, Parkin, Pagan and Jumbo's favourites the Scott brothers.

They were asked about what they look for when they are/were recruiting, their answers were pretty similar

- natural competitors

- elite disposal

- footy smarts

And they were in that order. They acknowledged that classier outside players were still required to win their own ball on occasions and lay a tackle/smother/shepherd.

No doubt there will be an example of someone that doesn't fit that bill but that's what they were saying.

They deemed footy smarts as being easiest to teach to a player. Where to run, where to set up, how to position your body etc....

You cannot teach someone to be a competitor, it's in them if it's not.

The one i really disagreed with was it took some stupid amount of hours(I think he said a couple of hindered??) to change someone's kicking technique. But he was probably right, Franklin runs on a arc, Kennedy does the stutter step, both unorthodox but work. Cloke is still a mess.

Set shots obviously different from in transition.

Thanks for the in-depth analysis of Watts etc, hasn't been enough of that in this thread....

I was making a simple point. At this stage he is still in our best 22. You can take that either way as far as what it says.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,693]

The 4 millionth Jack Watts story is in today's Age newspaper.

The paradox which is JW is clear in that he knows what he has to do, he appears to want to do it but somehow hasn't yet been able to get there.

I want Jack Watts to stay for three reasons. First, he's undoubtedly talented and skillful, but flawed. Eliminate, or at least reduce, the flaws and we have icing to go on the top. Secondly, he seems to have the right character to make the club a better team. And thirdly, and selfishly, I cannot bear the thought of him becoming a successful, star player at another club.

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,359]

Bring on trade week and let's end this one way or another.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,693]

Bring on trade week and let's end this one way or another.

...for 2015.

[stuie 7,374]

We would possibly get better FA compensation than what we would get as a trade, worth letting him go one more year.

[beelzebub 23,313]

FA compo is based on any contract going fwd.

[stuie 7,374]

FA compo is based on any contract going fwd.

Yep aware of that. But we would be lucky to get a second round pick in a weak draft this year, we would likely get a second round pick next year in a better draft as compo.

[beelzebub 23,313]

if Watts is traded this year I doubt it will be for a pick...part of a bundle of some description...for a player...just my thinking granted

[mjcl9 10]

Well according to Jason Akermanis he won't be playing at all next year...despite still being contracted, 24 years old and coming off one of his better seasons. What a useless opinion, from a shocking journalist if he even counts as one.

[Willmoy1947 4,081]

He doesn't

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,693]

Yep aware of that. But we would be lucky to get a second round pick in a weak draft this year, we would likely get a second round pick next year in a better draft as compo.

if Watts is traded this year I doubt it will be for a pick...part of a bundle of some description...for a player...just my thinking granted

All this discussion about trading picks in this year's weak draft seems to be missing the point that future year draft picks are now also able to be traded.

I'm not advocating that Jack Watts should be traded, but surely we need to update our thinking a bit.

[Henrietta Lumbago 331]

Finished 18th in the Bluey, so that would mean yes right?

doesn't mean FA

[stuie 7,374]

doesn't mean FA

Really? Aren't you one of the many using it as a reason to justify slagging him? Funny how people can see things differently depending on what they want out of it.

[beelzebub 23,313]

All this discussion about trading picks in this year's weak draft seems to be missing the point that future year draft picks are now also able to be traded.

I'm not advocating that Jack Watts should be traded, but surely we need to update our thinking a bit.

Thats a very good point LDVC. Does add another aspect for sure. One i had completely overlooked

[93dee 104]

This one is potential great news though!

Channel 7 reporting he isnt going anywhere.

Big 2016 from him

[faultydet 7,594]

This one is potential great news though!

Channel 7 reporting he isnt going anywhere.

Big 2016 from him

If true, damn.

I was really hoping he would get us some value from somewhere.

[Moneider96 1,045]

Meh

[barneymfc 152]

if we loose a six foot 5 player who runs like the wind ,kicks like a dream and now knows what the game is all about.we are [censored],takes a while for the taller blokes for their feet to catch up with their brain.Dont doubt his courage,loyal to the club though tough times,put him in a side like hawthorn he would be a champ,he his this club future

[dees189227 12,373]

Interesting on the radio yesterday they were talking about Jack. They said he has been in the system for 6 years now, how can he still be told he has to go into contests and compete for the ball. They said after 2 seasons you should not have to tell a player that.

I guess next season will be interesting.

[jnrmac 20,055]

if we loose a six foot 5 player who runs like the wind ,kicks like a dream and now knows what the game is all about.we are [censored],takes a while for the taller blokes for their feet to catch up with their brain.Dont doubt his courage,loyal to the club though tough times,put him in a side like hawthorn he would be a champ,he his this club future

There's plenty that do. Read the post above about Buckenara's comments on Matt Suckling. Could mirror Watts. The Hawks would have ditched Watts 3ys ago.

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,359]

This one is potential great news though!

Channel 7 reporting he isnt going anywhere.

Big 2016 from him

What will be different next year.

Serious question.