Jack Watts' Game

[Demonated 252]

Ok, I'll start by recognising I'm not a regular poster but a very regular reader, but I don't want to discuss where Watts went in the draft, how hard he is at the contest or what we think he will become. I don't want to discuss how we think he has turned out after all these years or how he should be playing right now.

 

I am a demon fan as you are all obviously on this page. We have all seen Watts play very well at times and very bad at times. We are reluctant to give him credit while we will give Hogan, Oliver, Gawn et al the praise they deserve. I just want to say that while you are all celebrating that not quite convincing win, I'd like us all to acknowledge the impact he had in the last quarter. As much as Hogan lifted, make not mistake, Jack Watts, our favourite whipping boy, won us that game. Not Salem, not Petracca, not Brayshaw, not Jones. We might give him a bit but we know we love him.

Watts just won us a game as the underdogs. Think about saying this a year ago, it sounds ridiculous. You want to know what makes it more crazy? He has a history of going to water after he loses his confidence. He and the whole team lost it in the 2nd quarter. For the first time in his career he took charge. I truely believe that something has changed. He set the tone in the last quarter. I want to talk about this but if there is already a thread or discussion, feel free to merge or delete.

[CBDees 3,162]

I have consistently had Watts amongst my favourite players, he gets the contested pack marks, creates multiple goal assists and kicks freakish goals. He also wears his heart on his sleeve. He will be a crucial part of our success going forward as much as Salem, Petracca, Hogan, Viney, Gawn and Oliver and he will lead by example. The haters on this site will always hate him, because they don't look at him objectively as one of 44 on our list. He has been best 22 from the outset but a lad with the highest (unrealistic) expectations on him due to his draft position. He is never going to be Wayne Carey but I suggest he is a far better role model than him and a better role model than Tom $cully of the same draft pick legacy who was one of the best for GWS yesterday but who I wouldn't swap for in a mile. List me as a fan.

[angrydee 842]

He is the player that has most impressed me this year. He seems to have grown up and accepted responsibility. He's started playing like a 100 gamer. Is this Macca's magic?

I really hope the change is permanent.

[RickyJ45 392]

Some great contested marks and attack on the footy. Definitely coming of age.  Well done! !!

[CBDees 3,162]

3 minutes ago, RickyJ45 said:

Some great contested marks and attack on the footy. Definitely coming of age.  Well done! !!

Also at 100% disposal efficiency yesterday. If his team mates could match that then we will start winning matches by twenty goals!

[3183 Dee 2,667]

Great OP - I've always liked Wattsy, mostly for the silk he brings, although I recognise there have been a few games where he has gone missing.

However, there were 4 or 5 moments of absolute class in yesterday's game, 2 of them in the opening minutes, where he sold candy to 3 or so GWS players before dishing off a perfect pass. 

As the OP says, his 4Q lifted the whole team (I have to say, I thought we were done at 3Q time) and the crowd. We talk about the development of players - well, this guy has had it harder than most and is still up and fighting.

[Cards13 9,117]

The last qtr the work he did to get the ball to Vanders, who then goaled, was something I never thought I'd see of Watts. It was brilliant. 

[Gorgoroth 12,446]

I remember on AFL360 Moons and Barry Hall said it took them around 100 games to feel like they belonged in the AFL. Maybe Watts now has the same thoughts.

He has been immense this year so far. Good to see his leads to the fat side of the ground now being seen and we have the players to get him the ball. He has always ran to the right spots.

[Pipefitter 2,085]

He can be even better. Hogan said on MMM his eyes light up when he sees what's watts with the ball. Keep it up jack!

[CBDees 3,162]

I cannot believe it. Ten posts in a row, all complimentary about Jack!

[juzzk1d 1,354]

This is all McCartney. His influence on Watts is working remarkably. Notice the way watts is now backing himself in with his run and carry.

 

He is very confident and making the right decision.  Go Dees!

[CBDees 3,162]

McCartney's influence is very under-rated with all talk being about Goodwin and the transition from Roos. People overlook the fact that we now have one of the strongest coaching structures in the AFL (and an increasingly strong integration with our VFL-aligned side as we saw at training on Good Friday)!

Edited March 26, 2016 by CBDees

[Forest Demon 4,681]

Lost his way a little after the cork, but his first and last quarters were great. He is surprisingly good in traffic and rarely panics.

[DemonOX 8,574]

About bloody time there was a POSITIVE thread about Jack. 

Finally he gets well coach and developed and look what is happening. 

Go Wattsy. 

[Cheesy D. Pun 1,762]

I feel for this bloke. When he's just an average player, he doesn't have what it takes. When he steps up to the plate, it's all the work of a coach.

 

[Dee Dee 1,060]

2 minutes ago, Forest Demon said:

 He is surprisingly good in traffic and rarely panics.

And this is one of his many strengths FD, he has a cool head and the more he plays in a team that's on the improve the better I think he will become.

Watts won us the game yesterday.

[Redlegs Too 106]

All power to him. He did remarkably well to get back into it with that corky and I was impressed too with his leadership. 

[Ted Lasso 17,315]

Jacks always had talent, but it seems the penny has finally dropped about how hard he has to work and how hard he has to attack the ball to do anything with that talent.

 

well done Jack!

[Vagg 2,422]

And, it was his Birthday yesterday, too!  Nice way to celebrate it!

In a lot of ways, Jack is the barometer of the team.  When the team plays well, so does Jack -- and vice versa.

Very happy to see Jack strutting his stuff, and the Dees to be on the winning list.  Long may it continue!!

 

[Monocology 1,109]

Love the new 'slipperiness' in his game also.

[jumbo returns 6,619]

Ha Ha

*points and giggles.

[DeeZee 6,910]

Jacks always had brilliance ,tremendous vision and silly skills,and the only thing that was lacking was the aggression and the contested work.

It looks like he has addressed that over the summer and looks like no flash in the pan as he has been consistently good four games in a row now.

Has the Messiah finally risen?

[Ethan Tremblay 28,832]

Pushing off the opposition and going through a pack is becoming the Watts special. He won't go backwards.

[Demon Stalwart 255]

Its simple . This year it seems Jack is coming of age , he has always had ability but up till now his been on and off like a cold/hot shower .

I hope for Jack and the Melbourne Football Club that from here on in he just keeps running hot .

 

[Stinger 431]

Jack was immense yesterday. Loved how he backed himself on the wing in the first quarter, but by far my favourite part of the day (aside from winning) was his mark/goal/celebration in the 4th. He was seriously fired up after he converted - the casual, lackluster, high five was replaced by screaming and sprinting, forcing his energy into teammates and ultimately kickstarting a 4th quarter comeback. I've never seen him so pumped in his entire career - love it.