7 minutes ago, Leoncelli_36 said:

And there it is on CH 7 news. T Mac confirming that attitude and being a 'team player' wasn't up to scratch and he has things to work on. He has taken the advice on board and will bounce back. But, yeah nah it's his f:;()$&n broken thumb. Some fools on here

I also think you are reading too much into what I think was a pretty poor interview from Tom Mac, and I think got caught out by the journalists. Again I have no idea whether there is truth to the story, but I think the words got ahead of him, and he spent most of the interview trying to backpedal on what he knew was about to be misinterpretted.
Don't think he expected any questions regarding Watts!

The medias obsession with Watts is unhealthy. 

Oh good 

We can all get back to the footy

Cant wait for the next exciting episode of..." Watts my team " 

 

Thats the last straw

Delist him

then after he has left the club, continue to heckle and boo him and any future venture he begins

3 minutes ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

The medias obsession with Watts is unhealthy. 

Not just the media I suggest 

16 minutes ago, Ouch! said:

I will add another thing, and I suspect others feel similarly.

Regardless of whether it's smoke or fire, most of us are not happy to see negative press so soon with Watts after what was an excellent season in '16. If there is substance to the rumour then people will direct this frustration at Jack, if it's nothing but a media beat up, we will likely be pi$$ed at the media and those spreading it about the impact that this potentially could have on Watt's season or the positive wave / momentum the club has coming into the 2017 season.

I am also a little concerned that if Goodwin is trying to use a rocket to put under a senior player that they could have found a better target... IDK

What ?

How about he decides who's not putting in the hard yards and he decides how to manage his players ?

FMD

The media's obsession?

I agree that Watts' early career was way over the top for media scrutiny, but he did himself no favours this off-season with that stupid white hair and posing for photos for the Confidential section at his Skwosh club parties.  You wanna go on with that stuff, make sure you get a kick.

There was talk among AFL players over the summer that Melbourne players were extremely happy with themselves and were partying like they'd won the flag.  Clearly we know who the main culprit is.

If Watts had played last week, who would have missed out? Spencer, Weideman, Vandenberg or someone else? And I wonder what explanations would have been given for that playing missing out.   

I think there is enough reportage to now say that there is some substance to the rumour. Sounds like Goodwin is making a statement and that is not a bad thing. Looks like anyone not giving 100% will given a kick in the arse, no matter who they are.

2 hours ago, Neitz the Great said:

Pretty poor how the club has handled it sending both Gawn and TMac to do interviews. 

 

I was thinking about that. I'm kind of happy with it, after a fashion. The club could easily, EASILY have spun it. Just said, "we played Spence and the two talls, no room for him. Jack's a known entity, the others aren't. Preseason is all about trying new combinations to see what we unearth...." And the media can simmer down.

Instead they told the truth. There was little advantage to putting it out there, but they did anyway. Not saying this whole situation is ideal. It's mostly a storm in a teacup. But it seems to me like it's just honest answers, instead of lying, which is the second language of the AFL. I'm one of the few that's pleased with these events. I'm not a massive fan of Jacks though, much more interested in about 12-18 other guys on the list... The same 12-18 who are now being focussed on by Goody. Jack has learned he can't go hard just in contract years (Howie, Ooze). As Robbo said in the last few days, the club has oput it out there they're going to be BRUTAL with selections this year. That's great.

32 minutes ago, watchtheeyes said:

I continue to be blown away with so called supporters eagerness to jump on Jack's back...

What a ridiculous beat up.

Absolutely, a senior player is not selected in the first practice match

Care?

I am more impressed that Spencer played a beauty and good on him

I for one am eager to watch the progression of this beat up not for the content but the clubs relations with the media. I feel news coverage in preseason is valuable for membership numbers, especially if we can squeeze a positive message out.

I applaud the club for using two leadership group members to address media, and see it as a good training exercise for both. It's clearly a discussion that can easily be extinguished if they get it wrong simply by the coach stepping in.

Well played melbourne. 

In years past I would have expected coaches to have held less nerve and addressed it directly immediately. Now they have more important issues like preparing for a footy season. 

If watts' thumb is still an issue this week, goody will have to explain it. Hope it's just a minor sprain and his hands are solid all year. 

28 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Absolutely, a senior player is not selected in the first practice match

Care?

I am more impressed that Spencer played a beauty and good on him

That's great and while I'm annoyed that a player entering his 9th year has given us two thirds of SFA over his career seemingly still doesn't get it, I agree it's a minor issue in a presently story deprived AFL.

But weren't you one of the ones bemoaning this story as BS and a fabrication by reporters who get their info via fan forums ?

Now you've reverted to "I don't care" ?

It's somewhat significant that a top 5 B&F player can't make a squad of 29 five months later due to training standards.

Such is the grand scale of delusion on this thread there will still be plenty in denial.  "It's his hand you know..."

And yes, it's a storm in a teacup.  But at least you're starting to acknowledge the cup exists. 

The main thing is that Watts has completed the pre-season. I don't care if he needs a slight attitude adjustment. We all do at times. I know I do. It is just a slow news week.

From Round 2 onwards, the only reminder of this will be a commentator bringing it up in passing as Watts kicks his fourth goal of the day. 

9 minutes ago, P-man said:

From Round 2 onwards, the only reminder of this will be a commentator bringing it up in passing as Watts kicks his fourth goal of the day. 

...or Spencer.

13 minutes ago, ProDee said:

That's great and while I'm annoyed that a player entering his 9th year has given us two thirds of SFA over his career seemingly still doesn't get it, I agree it's a minor issue in a presently story deprived AFL.

But weren't you one of the ones bemoaning this story as BS and a fabrication by reporters who get their info via fan forums ?

Now you've reverted to "I don't care" ?

It's somewhat significant that a top 5 B&F player can't make a squad of 29 five months later due to training standards.

Such is the grand scale of delusion on this thread there will still be plenty in denial.  "It's his hand you know..."

And yes, it's a storm in a teacup.  But at least you're starting to acknowledge the cup exists. 

It is a BS story otherwise PJ or Goodwin would have spoken.

JW may not have gone at 10/10ths during the intra club or at a training session, that i don't really care about because it's february it's not the eve of Round 1

What i do find pathetic is the media now saying his career is on the line.

It may have always been in the clubs plan to never have JW in the Squad of 29 for GAME 1 of 3...WE DON"T KNOW

I think it was a great idea to play Spencer for a full game because we learnt more

Yes a Huge Storm in a very small Tea cup

That's what i think PD

 

 

24 minutes ago, ProDee said:

That's great and while I'm annoyed that a player entering his 9th year has given us two thirds of SFA over his career seemingly still doesn't get it, I agree it's a minor issue in a presently story deprived AFL.

But weren't you one of the ones bemoaning this story as BS and a fabrication by reporters who get their info via fan forums ?

Now you've reverted to "I don't care" ?

It's somewhat significant that a top 5 B&F player can't make a squad of 29 five months later due to training standards.

Such is the grand scale of delusion on this thread there will still be plenty in denial.  "It's his hand you know..."

And yes, it's a storm in a teacup.  But at least you're starting to acknowledge the cup exists. 

I like it when you say, 'top 5 B&F player'

3 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

It is a BS story otherwise PJ or Goodwin would have spoken.

JW may not have gone at 10/10ths during the intra club or at a training session, that i don't really care about because it's february it's not the eve of Round 1

What i do find pathetic is the media now saying his career is on the line.

It may have always been in the clubs plan to never have JW in the Squad of 29 for GAME 1 of 3...WE DON"T KNOW

I think it was a great idea to play Spencer for a full game because we learnt more

Yes a Huge Storm in a very small Tea cup

That's what i think PD

 

 

I didn't expect a coherent response.

Thanks anyway. 

Guys Sam Mitchell and Bontempelli didn't play either on the weekend... Where are the media stories about them not being starters despite not being injured??

Absolute joke this is seeing light of day. Poor handling by the club and Goodwin to not get on the front foot to squash the heresy being bandied about in the media too. Really disappointing from the club actually considering the medias history with Watts.

Jack will be fine come next week or Round 1. In fact, he'll be better than fine. He'll be one of our best players as always.

22 minutes ago, KingDingAling said:

The main thing is that Watts has completed the pre-season. I don't care if he needs a slight attitude adjustment. We all do at times. I know I do. It is just a slow news week.

That's important, he has the base fitness under him to do whatever the coaches are asking. 

But if he's been coasting he'll need to step it up in the next month before round 1. Particularly if the coaches are demanding a big lift in defensive work rate.

2 hours ago, ProDee said:

JACK Watts is "absolutely" in Melbourne's best 22, but needs to maintain consistent training standards to win his place back in the Demons' side, according to teammate Tom McDonald. 

"Jack's had a really good two or three weeks and understands what is required to be selected in the team," McDonald said. 

"Jack's been doing the right thing, especially the last two or three weeks and he's in line to play again soon. 

"He understands what he needs to do to get picked in the team and so does everybody else." 

 

How anyone can be in doubt that Goodwin sent a message to Watts is actually quite amusing.

Dont beat your head against the brick wall mate. You wont get a more delusional bunch when it comes to Watts.

The bloke is 25 and its mind boggling that he still needs a kick up the ass in how to be a professional athlete. 8 years in the system for 1 good year is a poor return.

 

16 minutes ago, ProDee said:

I didn't expect a coherent response.

Thanks anyway. 

My pleasure

After how all you people pick on the media and the AFL ,i'm not surprised that they are very upset and need a lie down...