Farewell Jack Watts

[spirit of norm smith 16,651]

Just the facts 

no 1 pick 2008 draft. 

153 games. 9 years. 

Two years left on contract.

196cm Tall forward. Agile. Skilled. Can play forward, ruck relief or rotate back. 

Loves MFC. 

5th in 2016 best & fairest 

2017

- preseason accused of not working hard enough

- plays 13 games.  Included in best players in 7 matches (afl.com.au)

- injured hamstring & missed 3 games 

- comes back, losses form and gets dropped

- comes back and one of the best in a very poor final game loss

- coach says ‘go explore your options elsewhere’ (aka you are not required)

- Watts reinforces wants to be at MFC and see success

I am blown away by the disrespect of the club to Jack. This is so divisive to supporters and players. 

[faultydet 7,623]

5 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Just the facts 

no 1 pick 2008 draft. 

153 games. 9 years. 

Two years left on contract.

196cm Tall forward. Agile. Skilled. Can play forward, ruck relief or rotate back. 

Loves MFC. 

5th in 2016 best & fairest 

2017

- preseason accused of not working hard enough

- plays 13 games.  Included in best players in 7 matches (afl.com.au)

- injured hamstring & missed 3 games 

- comes back, losses form and gets dropped

- comes back and one of the best in a very poor final game loss

- coach says ‘go explore your options elsewhere’ (aka you are not required)

- Watts reinforces wants to be at MFC and see success

I am blown away by the disrespect of the club to Jack. This is so divisive to supporters and players. 

You forgot the fact that he still refuses to compete to an acceptable physical level

And the fact he STILL doesnt put both hands up in a pack marking contest.

Or the fact he still applies almost zero forward pressure.

Or the fact he still tackles like a fairy.

 

If you are going to quote "just the facts", you need to make a better effort at not cherry picking the facts that suit one side of an argument.

We cannot allow the "good bloke" argument to keep players on our list.

[Lucifers Hero 40,563]

13 minutes ago, SFebey said:

Jack looks like he is holding on very tight and isn't letting go.

How more poignant can two words be:  'Last drinks'.

[buck_nekkid 6,082]

Regardless, Mr Watts has a contract and can refuse to be traded.  Can relax on the cash for 2 more years.  He has to agree to any trade.  He gets the last call....

[beelzebub 23,390]

[Demon Dynasty 17,135]

1 hour ago, Pates said:

Agreed, after all the great work we’ve done to build a club that doesn’t have controversy and stays off the front page for the wrong reasons we’ve gone and done this. 

Clubs can’t whine about “a player being contracted” when we’re trying to push someone with 2 years on a contract out the door that clearly wants to be here. 

And.....it's hardly great trade method either!  Very poorly handled so far.  Imagine the reaction if this was one Mr Neeld at the coach's desk putting this out there!!

As someone said on here earlier, it's not like he's broken any laws or done a Stokes... or worse!  Not allowing him to finish his contract is poor form enough, but at the very least carry it out professionally within the four walls please MFC / FD.

Maybe PJ needs to step in here also with regard to how this is being handled.  The Fish rots from the head and our blokes up top haven't fired a shot in this debacle so far.

I would argue Peter needs to step up and repay some of the faith that Watts showed in the Club during our horribilis years under Neeld if we are to send the right message to the rest of the playing group and make sure Watts finishes his tenure, whilst also resolving as many of Goody's grievances as is possible (outside of personality issues some of which will never be resolved but can be smoothed over subject too "X Y & Z" being met performance/KPI wise by Wattsy on the track & game day)...

"Ever since [Melbourne CEO] Peter Jackson has come to the club, he's filled me with a lot of confidence and he just kept pulling aces out of the sleeve.

 

"I love the club and I’m just so happy to be able to stay there."

 

The club's hopes of retaining him received a major boost when it appointed Paul Roos as coach. Roos immediately declared Watts a required player.

 

"It was pretty big [in my decision]," Watts said.

 

"To have someone of his stature and even just to be able to talk to him for five minutes and see his vision of where we're going and what kind of person he is – that made the decision a lot easier."

 

Extract courtesy:  afl.com.au  24 Sept 2013

[jumbo returns 6,741]

18 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Jack looks like he is holding on very tight and isn't letting go.

How more poignant can two words be:  'Last drinks'.

Last dranks before preseason? They've had 5 weeks off?

[Cards13 9,117]

Disrespect he's been shown?! He's been in the system 9 years, 9 mainly chitty years but has obviously been told numerous times to pull his finger out by players and coaches. He's only delivered in spurts. 

He's been told he can explore his options, stiff cheddar that can happen to the best of us. He has a choice, to explore those options knowing full well he still needs to do more and take that knowledge where ever he goes or stay, but again he still needs to do more to satisfy players and coaches.

The fans "feelings" don't mean chit, the guys who see him day and day out (players and coaches) have made a final statement to him, it sits with him to work through it with them. 

The club will not fall over without him, hopefully it will thrive with him but if he is gone so be it.

Edited October 3, 2017 by Cards13

[Demon Dynasty 17,135]

20 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Jack looks like he is holding on very tight and isn't letting go.

How more poignant can two words be:  'Last drinks'.

If that isn't a show of confidence/support from one of the spiritual leaders of the club who is highly regarded amongst the playing group then i'll go take a dip in the Yarra... tonight.  I hope PJ & Goody are seeing / hearing this!!

[sue 9,233]

Some of the nasty comments being made about Watts here are totally over the top.  I'll take the lead from the amatuer psychiatrists and suggest that a lot of that reflects some supporters taking out their anger and disappointment at the frustrations of 2017 and the fact that Watts just turned out to be a naughty boy rather than the messiah.    Lots of other players need a kick up the bum, but it's always Watts Watts....

I started reading all these posts feeling pretty neutral about a trade (though sad) provided we got something good in return.  But all the hate swung me to vote 'keep'.  Sorry to ignore your 'facts'.

But I'd feel guilty if the Club took any notice of that vote because I'd pity Watts if he stays and dares to put in a single cruddy performance.  Luckily the Club will take no notice.

[binman 44,689]

47 minutes ago, DemonAndrew said:

To a greater or lesser degree it seems like he’s not prepared to move interstate due to his comfort of home surrounds and no one in Victoria wants him including MFC

yeah because you know what he is feeling and thinking and are also across how every vic club assesses the value of Watts. righto.

Such talent on DL. Pink Freud where are you?

[Lucifers Hero 40,563]

51 minutes ago, DemonAndrew said:

To a greater or lesser degree it seems like he’s not prepared to move interstate due to his comfort of home surrounds and no one in Victoria wants him including MFC

Hmmm - methinks you underestimate his manager - Paul Connors, the best in the business.

On SEN today it was reported a number of Vic clubs showed interest including Bulldogs and Geelong (depending what happens with Stringer, who Connors also manages) and I have forgotten the other clubs.

Re: comfort of his home surrounds.  Jack is a well rounded individual and his friends and family are an important part of his life (just as they are for Lever which is why he is coming home). 

Whether people are a Jack fan or not, surely he has the right to decide where he lives without being chastised for it.

[jackaub 1,402]

36 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Jack looks like he is holding on very tight and isn't letting go.

How more poignant can two words be:  'Last drinks'.

Last Orders

[beelzebub 23,390]

Interesting thread 

[rpfc 28,966]

That instagram caption would indicate he is off then, if he is telling teammates as much.

[faultydet 7,623]

19 minutes ago, sue said:

Some of the nasty comments being made about Watts here are totally over the top.  I'll take the lead from the amatuer psychiatrists and suggest that a lot of that reflects some supporters taking out their anger and disappointment at the frustrations of 2017 and the fact that Watts just turned out to be a naughty boy rather than the messiah.    Lots of other players need a kick up the bum, but it's always Watts Watts....

I started reading all these posts feeling pretty neutral about a trade (though sad) provided we got something good in return.  But all the hate swung me to vote 'keep'.  Sorry to ignore your 'facts'.

But I'd feel guilty if the Club took any notice of that vote because I'd pity Watts if he stays and dares to put in a single cruddy performance.  Luckily the Club will take no notice.

Hang on Sue.

We are talking about WATTS, because WATTS is the one who has been pushed towards a trade by Goodwin.

WATTS is one of the most highly skilled, but physically weakest of all AFL players of his size.

Goodwin has singled out WATTS, as someone who has been seriously under performing compared to his talent/ability level. You know, Goodwin the full time professional AFL coach?

 

I would bet the vast majority of Dees supporters are hoping that Watts ends up finding a way to convince the coach not to trade him, and has a fantastic career, solely with MFC. (I am one of them)

I would bet that less would be confident that he would actually take the opportunity if it was offered, for more than a handful of games a year. (I'm one of them also)

I would bet that less still would complain if it meant that the departure of Watts was the catalyst needed, to finally grow the backbone we need to win a flag. (yep, I'm that guy too)

 

I have no doubt Jack Watts is a cracking bloke. I wish he could find the heart to attack every contest in a way befitting of a professional 196cm player. Or at a minimum, commit his body to every contest, even if it means it may hurt.

It will be a bloody sad day if Watts leaves. He is probably the most liked player since Robbie Flower. (yes I actually mean that)

But.....If our side can be improved, at what point does the supporter base tell the coaches, yeah, stuff the flag, I just want to cheer for a bunch of great blokes every week?

[Ouch! 2,276]

2 minutes ago, rpfc said:

That instagram caption would indicate he is off then, if he is telling teammates as much.

Isn’t that Gawns account? I reckon he is just stirring the pot!

[DubDee 26,390]

Fascinating that so many of us can see this so differently. Goody wants to lift the standard at the MFC. I'll be sad to see Watts go but he is not committed to our mission enough. Look at the crows, no superstars just 100% committed players

[Earl Hood 6,152]

39 minutes ago, buck_nekkid said:

Regardless, Mr Watts has a contract and can refuse to be traded.  Can relax on the cash for 2 more years.  He has to agree to any trade.  He gets the last call....

Interesting point I had totally forgotten that contracts mean anything these days in the AFL. The usual discussion is about a player in contract who wants to go so the club makes it happen as they don't want a disgruntled player hanging around. But in this case we have a guy wanting to stay and see out his contract agreement even though the new coach wants him out. Interesting times ahead. I still think he will jump probably to Sydney as for compo I don't think the club can expect too much as they have telegraphed their thoughts to the AFL world. 

[faultydet 7,623]

1 minute ago, Ouch! said:

Isn’t that Gawns account? I reckon he is just stirring the pot!

I reckon he may simply be saying it's their final drink before heading home.

People look too deep into things sometimes.

[gregdemon 628]

Simple Jack. Refuse to be traded. (You have a contract)   Put in a big pre season. Play some blinders in preseason and a couple of VFL games.  Have to be selected  if showing great form.    If not the supporters will rise up..  you will stay and Goodwin is out on his arse !!

 

anything else I can help with

[frankie_d 1,471]

The only question for us is do we trust the Club.

I trust PJ - 100%

Goodwin - not sure yet

I don't know what PJ thinks of how this is playing out. I wonder if the club will say anything else?

"Last drinks" - wow.

I remember the QB match where he played game #1. Went up in a pack at the city end, and didn't put his hands up for the ball - used them to protect him. 

Since that moment, I've been torn... can we afford to have someone who won't contest hard every time (nb - not saying everyone has to be Viney), but can play a bit:

 

 

[Forest Demon 4,681]

I'm supportive of Goodwin, but I'd be lying if I said a part of me wasn't hoping this results with Jack staying, a massive wake up call, ready to consistently be the player he has threatened to be.

[rpfc 28,966]

Just now, DubDee said:

Fascinating that so many of us can see this so differently. Goody wants to lift the standard at the MFC. I'll be sad to see Watts go but he is not committed to our mission enough. Look at the crows, no superstars just 100% committed players

Those of us who disagree would argue that 'Trading Watts = Standards Lifted' is an oversimplification and one last act of scapegoating Watts for the ills of the past.

"He has done nothing for 9 years" some cry - but will they give Weideman the benefit of the doubt for his two underwhelming years? Of course.

"Hadn't shown anything before 2016" is another call to the heavens and yet those some Dees supporters would argue that until 2014 the club was an absolute shambles and couldn't develop a Polaroid.

The standards at the beginning of the season that were not met should be the fundamental and only point of argument for moving Watts on. They definitely can be - but I would plead with Goodwin to run that bus over Kent, JKH, and the other two delistees who were apart of that midseason drinking session.

Let's share that love around, because it doesn't sit well with me that there is one singular sacrificial lamb on the altar of 'standards.'

[Ouch! 2,276]

8 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Fascinating that so many of us can see this so differently. Goody wants to lift the standard at the MFC. I'll be sad to see Watts go but he is not committed to our mission enough. Look at the crows, no superstars just 100% committed players

Betts? Lynch? Sloane? Talia? I’d argue they are A graders... sure they are committed ,but they also got smashed in the grand final by a team with some superstars and a bunch of lesser skilled players with higher intensity and a massive home crowd behind them....