On 06/11/2015 at 00:31, stuie said:

Matt Jones and Terlich were top 5 in the Bluey a couple of years ago too.

Wouldn't read too much into Bluey results as far as careers go.

Them featuring in the top five was a reflection on the state of the list at the time: abysmal.

With a much improved list, BnF standings in the season just gone carry a lot more weight.

  On 06/11/2015 at 00:43, P-man said:

Them featuring in the top five was a reflection on the state of the list at the time: abysmal.

With a much improved list, BnF standings in the season just gone carry a lot more weight.

I don't buy in to Bluey results reflecting things that much.

Otherwise, wouldn't we be more worried about losing 2 of our best 10 players this year?

  On 05/11/2015 at 21:48, ProDee said:

And that's the greatest indictment of all. It's taken 3 coaches and 7 years to try and find a position on the ground where he can have some influence on the game.

He has all of the physical attributes to be our Jack Gunston and kick 50+ goals a year and he contributes 10.

One day even his greatest supporters will realise he chose the wrong sport.

I have no regard or respect for the pre Roos' era as a coaching, development environ.

  On 05/11/2015 at 01:14, Redleg said:

Jack is the most overly criticised player in the AFL, all because of his draft position.

If he was pick 50 no one would comment.

There is a bloke running around for the Giants getting $1.2m a year, playing pretty ordinary football and escaping criticism for his pick 1 position and high salary.

I think we will see an improved JW now, especially if he is allowed to settle in one position.

BTW, I think he is the leading goal assist at the MFC and probably the best kick for goal.

And yes there is a spot in our 22 for him.

Good call.

Going to the simple question of : Is there a spot for Watts in the 22 ? supposes that he is or will be treated any differently to any other on the list. Whilst we may all ponder that might be the case I doubt it personally.

Is there a spot for him ? is there a spot for "insert any other player " ?

In reality its the same question across the board of all on the list. The answer is equally as simple imho. Its up to them. If they put the effort in and make their case ...they will play. If they dont, they wont..

Leaving aside questions about his value as a number 1 pick, courage, relative skill level, how much he annoys some fans (dees and others) etc etc i would be very surprised if, barring injury, he does not play most games next season. Why? Well the evidence of Roos tenure indicates he selects him most weeks. There is no logical reason why this would suddenly change next year.

As for talk he was put on the trade table but no one wanted him i call bulltish. Where is the evidence this is true - apart from some vague comments from Roos about everyone being on the table. But there was no rumours about him being linked to any trade.

But lets say for the sake of argument they did put him up for trade. Logic would suggest another club didn't offer enough to make it happen, which implies the club rates him high enough not to let him go for peanuts, ie they see him as a best 22 player. If the club really didn't rate him in the way many fans don't they would have bitten the bullet and taken whatever they could have got, as they did with Toumpas. As if another club wouldn't have taken him for say a second round draft pick, a valuable enough trade if you thought a player had no future at your club and you were dead set keen on trading him.

  On 05/11/2015 at 21:52, dazzledavey36 said:

Jobe Watson sat down with him couple of years ago and also explained his strict training program that obviously transformed him into a star that he is now. Whether Watts took that on board i dont know.

The damage was done when Neeld arranged Malthouse as a mentor.

Regardless, Watts needs nothing explained to him that he doesn't already know.

I don't buy into the theory that there was no interest in him. Coming into his free agency year I would say he's the type of player clubs would rather wait a year and pick up for nothing, than spend a pick on. To be the leading assist provider in a team with a dysfunctional forward line says he's doing something right, even if inconsistently. He's icing on the cake and I'd be very surprised if there weren't 2 or 3 clubs waving contracts in front of him (legal or otherwise) for 2017.

I'll be honest, I'm a fan, but FFS he can be disappointing at times. I think Roos and co are in the same boat. The round 22 dropping was a wake up call for him to have a big preseason and start performing consistently for 4 quarters, week to week. I'm backing him in to do that.

As for the question, Watts is absolutely best 22, HF.

The other side of the coin is, with 2016 being his free agent year, if he doesn't sign a new contract early, he'll be putting himself under enormous pressure as the bagging from media, supporters and haters will go through the roof. If you thought the hate for Scully was bad enough, what you'll see for Watts will make you think T$ got off scot-free.

  On 06/11/2015 at 02:24, FireInTheBelly said:

I don't buy into the theory that there was no interest in him. Coming into his free agency year I would say he's the type of player clubs would rather wait a year and pick up for nothing, than spend a pick on. To be the leading assist provider in a team with a dysfunctional forward line says he's doing something right, even if inconsistently. He's icing on the cake and I'd be very surprised if there weren't 2 or 3 clubs waving contracts in front of him (legal or otherwise) for 2017.

I'll be honest, I'm a fan, but FFS he can be disappointing at times. I think Roos and co are in the same boat. The round 22 dropping was a wake up call for him to have a big preseason and start performing consistently for 4 quarters, week to week. I'm backing him in to do that.

As for the question, Watts is absolutely best 22, HF.

The other side of the coin is, with 2016 being his free agent year, if he doesn't sign a new contract early, he'll be putting himself under enormous pressure as the bagging from media, supporters and haters will go through the roof. If you thought the hate for Scully was bad enough, what you'll see for Watts will make you think T$ got off scot-free.

If he doesn't sign a contract early? Needs to be offered one first.

  On 06/11/2015 at 02:28, Bombay Airconditioning said:

If he doesn't sign a contract early? Needs to be offered one first.

So with the apparent lack of interest in him, and your hinting that he won't be offered a contract, are you saying the real question should be 'Should Jack Watts be delisted end of 2016?'

Oh dear.

Jack suffered due to poor player development yet somehow is one of best users of the footy and decision makers at the club.

Jack is continually discussed because of the no.1 tag, the same tag which has kept him in the game this long.

Jack needs to settle in one position, yet he has been given numerous games in numerous positions and failed to make any of them his own.

Jack needs to sign a contract or he will put himself under enormous pressure, he needs to go out and show why he should be offered one.

Jack continually gets selected, we did have a substantial injury list last year and was still dropped twice.

Jack will star at another club, yet no interest from other clubs.

  On 06/11/2015 at 02:49, Bombay Airconditioning said:

Jack suffered due to poor player development yet somehow is one of best users of the footy and decision makers at the club.

Jack is continually discussed because of the no.1 tag, the same tag which has kept him in the game this long.

Jack needs to settle in one position, yet he has been given numerous games in numerous positions and failed to make any of them his own.

Jack needs to sign a contract or he will put himself under enormous pressure, he needs to go out and show why he should be offered one.

Jack continually gets selected, we did have a substantial injury list last year and was still dropped twice.

Jack will star at another club, yet no interest from other clubs.

I'm not making excuses for him. He needs to step up and I'm sure he's aware.

  On 06/11/2015 at 02:49, Bombay Airconditioning said:

Jack suffered due to poor player development yet somehow is one of best users of the footy and decision makers at the club.

Jack is continually discussed because of the no.1 tag, the same tag which has kept him in the game this long.

Jack needs to settle in one position, yet he has been given numerous games in numerous positions and failed to make any of them his own.

Jack needs to sign a contract or he will put himself under enormous pressure, he needs to go out and show why he should be offered one.

Jack continually gets selected, we did have a substantial injury list last year and was still dropped twice.

Jack will star at another club, yet no interest from other clubs.

I don't like draft year videos to be used as definitive as to what you are going to receive - I think they can indicate strengths and in some cases you can see weaknesses ( Scully's footskills) however if you look back at Jack Watts' draft year videos they are quite illuminating.

I suggest that what he does well now is very evident from the footage but what is completely absent from the video's is still absent from his game today.

  On 06/11/2015 at 00:46, stuie said:

I don't buy in to Bluey results reflecting things that much.

Otherwise, wouldn't we be more worried about losing 2 of our best 10 players this year?

maybe cross and howe playing all 22 games had a lot to do with it

  On 06/11/2015 at 00:46, stuie said:

I don't buy in to Bluey results reflecting things that much.

Otherwise, wouldn't we be more worried about losing 2 of our best 10 players this year?

I think we should be. But we are also hoping a lot of players have better seasons than last year and we have brought in 2 ready made players in Melksham and Bugg who have the attributes required to fill the spots left by Howe and Cross.

I agree it's silly to read too much in to one individual result, but at the same time we need more players capable of consistent top 15 performances and hopefully Watts can do that.

  On 04/11/2015 at 01:53, P-man said:

Yet you still open them, OD?

He's been an intriguing figure since the day he was drafted and no doubt will be til the day he retires. I doubt there will ever be another player quite like him in terms of the love/hate sentiment from supporters.

I am sure there will be a tidal wave of love when he wins the Brownlow, Norm Smith and Coleman trifecta.

  On 06/11/2015 at 04:51, nutbean said:

I suggest that what he does well now is very evident from the footage but what is completely absent from the video's is still absent from his game today.

Like solving the middle east crisis?

Is there a spot for Watts in the starting 22,having a look out the current list of 37 senior playes he may be better or on par with the following Terlch,Grimes,Hunt,Dawes,M.Jonnes,Minchie and Newton which means that there are 30 players who I would select in front of him. Not to mention the players we are going to pick up in the November draft.To be fair for his development it is better for him to depart ways,we might actually get a round one pick as compensation.

To those who compare the lack of toughness(Watts) to Hawthorn premiership players,is freakin weird as they generally hold onto their marks even under pressure…….. Watts makes too mistakes. Good luck to him in the future.

I open up a 2011 Herald-Sun newspaper … Bailey and Watts were having a hug together after the Dees win against Essendon…… Lack of a Hugging may affected Watts.

  On 07/11/2015 at 01:23, ENYAW said:

Is there a spot for Watts in the starting 22,having a look out the current list of 37 senior playes he may be better or on par with the following Terlch,Grimes,Hunt,Dawes,M.Jonnes,Minchie and Newton which means that there are 30 players who I would select in front of him. Not to mention the players we are going to pick up in the November draft.To be fair for his development it is better for him to depart ways,we might actually get a round one pick as compensation.

To those who compare the lack of toughness(Watts) to Hawthorn premiership players,is freakin weird as they generally hold onto their marks even under pressure…….. Watts makes too mistakes. Good luck to him in the future.

I open up a 2011 Herald-Sun newspaper … Bailey and Watts were having a hug together after the Dees win against Essendon…… Lack of a Hugging may affected Watts.

So you would pick all of these guys ahead of Watts:

Trengove, Pedersen, JKH, OMac, Spencer, Harmes, Stretch, ANB...

"I cannot forecast to you the actions of Jack Watts. He is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma: but perhaps there is a key. That key is playing him as a permanent third tall." Winston Churchill

  On 06/11/2015 at 06:15, monoccular said:

I am sure there will be a tidal wave of love when he wins the Brownlow, Norm Smith and Coleman trifecta.

Ridiculous comment...........Hogan will win the Coleman

Mr Stuie I forgot to include Spencer in my list. I will guarantee you that Trngove,Pedersen,JKH,O.MAc,Harmes,Strech and ANB will outlast Watts by the end of the year plus they are not the sort of players demanding to be dropped.

After picking up Weideman and Oliver where does Watts fit into the top 22 players now?

Wing. HFF. If he earns the spot.

  On 25/11/2015 at 10:26, ENYAW said:

After picking up Weideman and Oliver where does Watts fit into the top 22 players now?

No real change. Oliver is another for the midfield/resting forward rotation but doesn't really make a change for the need for some pace and skill on the wing and flanks.

Weideman is a while off and whether we can fit a 2nd ruck (Max King?) plus Hogan and Weideman long term in an interesting debate. If we can that puts pressure on Watts as a taller goal kicking forward, but he's never played that way anyway. Weideman (2nd ruck), Hogan, Hulett is another combination but that's even further down the track.

We still lack wingman and the competition for a spot as a pacy half forward remains mainly Kent, JKH, Kennedy. Decent options, but not impossible for Watts to keep them out.

As usual the ball is in Watts' court.