Farewell Jack Watts

[jackaub 1,402]

Can one of you tech geniuses pls post the pic of Jack in the herald sun published today modelling his Shorts

And then convince me THAT JACK HAS ACTUALLY ENGAGED IN ANY GYM WORK over the last 9 years

Thanks

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

3 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

Big call.  They still have a very soft underbelly and they don't have great depth either.  A few injuries and they're in trouble.

Rockcliff, Motlop, Watts - likely to be added to an already hard midfield.

Seems like they're trying to add the icing right now: Motlop and Watts.

Reckon they'll be damaging.

It's a bit rich for any of us to patronise the likes of Port on this stuff - we haven't played a final since 2006.

 

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

I really hope we use one of the second rounders we're likely to have in this draft to land an experienced player, Vince, Melksham and Hibberd-style.

 

[spirit of norm smith 13,415]

1 hour ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

I’m still laughing. Great work ET

[Wiseblood 24,636]

14 minutes ago, Ron Burgundy said:

Rockcliff, Motlop, Watts - likely to be added to an already hard midfield.

Seems like they're trying to add the icing right now: Motlop and Watts.

Reckon they'll be damaging.

It's a bit rich for any of us to patronise the likes of Port on this stuff - we haven't played a final since 2006.

 

Who says I'm patronising?  Just my opinion.  Rockliff is a good addition but neither Watts nor Motlop do anything to improve that soft underbelly.

Plus they haven't gotten Motlop or Watts yet.

[SFebes 4,694]

10 hours ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

I'll accept that everyone will apply themselves on the track like Oliver, Jones and Viney when they can all kick like Jack Watts.  From what I understand (and I think his playing body shape would back this up), Jason Dunstall was never a very good trainer at Hawthorn, but I don't think he ever would have been put up for trade mid contact (or ever) and the first bloke you would pick at full forward any day of the week.  Not that Jack has the hundreds of goals to his name that Piggy did, but it's not like Jack's played in side as dominant for his whole career either or has exactly the same attributes.

Basically horses for courses and I really do feel like Jack is being made into a scape goat.  In my veiw, the whole episode has been poorly managed by the club, particularly post season, with Jones, Goodwin and Co comming out and publicly criticizing him.  I do feel like the club is making a huge mistake putting up a player who has put faith in the club over a long period up as a bargaining chip mid contract - hardly the sort of thing that will encourage mutual commitment to the team by talented players in the future.

I'm surprised you went back to 1994 to use Dunstall as an example, might as well throw Ablett Snr in there too. Dunstall was a superstar, Watts will never be. Times change and so does professionalism of the sport. Game has changed a bit in the last 20 years. Oliver is actually a good kick, just rarely does it. I do see your point though. As I've said, theres more to this story and it'll all come out eventually with what happened when Watts was injured and also what happened in pre-season.

[beelzebub 22,326]

5 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

Who says I'm patronising?  Just my opinion.  Rockliff is a good addition but neither Watts nor Motlop do anything to improve that soft underbelly.

Plus they haven't gotten Motlop or Watts yet.

Its your opinion that's patronising. Too hard to work out ? See...just as mine is. Thats how it goes sometimes.

I think Ron is bang on the money. Watts and  Motlop will add a lot of finish to Port.

Theyll be dangerous next year.

And we'll probably play them twice, my won't that be entertaining.

[sue 8,477]

1 hour ago, praha said:

Don't disagree but ruck is a position that demands accountability. If anything, his move into that position is an indictment on his efforts elsewhere. He plays unaccountable football up forward and goes missing on tougher opponents that hold him to account when competing for position and possession. In the ruck the position itself is a non-negotiable: it's the last true position where body positioning and contact is a necessity and unavoidable. It just magnified how badly he goes missing against opponents that apply minimal pressure.

I think part of Jack's problem is that for his whole career he's been played as a utility/forward with no clear directive. That's one thing that pisses me off about his development. From 2010 he should have been played down back to teach him what it takes to beat your opponent consistently and play accountable football. Even on a bad day a ruckman is still accountable because they need to compete at most contests. A forward can get away with it because there are more variables, delivery being one. There's no way he *couldn't* have competed playing ruck.

Watts gets caned even when he does well because all of a sudden he has no choice!?  WHile you make some good ppints, there is a way to avoid competing in the ruck - do such a bad job of it that the coach moves you elsewhere or off.

[Deestar9 1,427]

10 hours ago, Ned said:

Is there a chance this whole episode is a surreptitious rocket for Jack? He's unlikely to secure a trade just because of the way the chips have fallen so will wind up staying at Melbourne. Perhaps will shake off some of his apathy and if not then really on the block next year? He frustrates me but he's also been part of a club that went to hell and back during his time. I've always hoped Melbourne's success would come with Jack Watts part of it so both sides were validated. Just a dream I guess.

They floated the exact same thing on Triple M.....hope its true !

[Redleg 38,034]

If we got pick 15 everyone would be happy,  but if it is 30 not so happy. Does that not tell us that we are reasonably happy to let Jack go, it is just the price.  

[beelzebub 22,326]

3 minutes ago, Deestar9 said:

They floated the exact same thing on Triple M.....hope its true !

Its not

[KingDingAling 3,622]

36 minutes ago, Ron Burgundy said:

I really hope we use one of the second rounders we're likely to have in this draft to land an experienced player, Vince, Melksham and Hibberd-style.

 

I hope we go the other way and take all kids with our picks. The past few years we have traded in Melksham, Hibberd and Lewis. Before that it was Vince. Now we are bringing a ready made player in Lever. Oscar will have further developed leading into next year. Petracca, Oliver, Brayshaw and Salem a year older. Across the board our side is going to be a lot more mature than last year (especially physically). The extra year into Petracca, Oliver, Brayshaw, Salem and Hunt - will be massive for us. We can afford to take kids in this draft IMO. We don't need mature bodies as much as previous years, because we have developed them. They will be ready now.

[jumbo returns 6,545]

1 hour ago, Demon77 said:

How many tackles Jumbo or was that a game of touch?

All about space and cognitive footy, '77

He found a mismatch and outmarked Neville Jetta twice!!

[jnrmac 19,324]

10 hours ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

I'll accept that everyone will apply themselves on the track like Oliver, Jones and Viney when they can all kick like Jack Watts.

This is vying for the award of most unhinged comment and that's saying something.

Watts by the way averages 8 kicks per game. 

[Akum 2,660]

2 hours ago, gwsampso said:

My understanding is that it will get done

Could get very interesting if it doesn't.

[Akum 2,660]

1 hour ago, Wiseblood said:

Big call.  They still have a very soft underbelly and they don't have great depth either.  A few injuries and they're in trouble.

Not like us! Any gaps we have that need to be plugged, we have ...

Oh. Right.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

35 minutes ago, Redleg said:

If we got pick 15 everyone would be happy,  but if it is 30 not so happy. Does that not tell us that we are reasonably happy to let Jack go, it is just the price.  

Correct.

But also, if he does stay he gets an almighty kick up the bum from all this.

Edited October 12, 2017 by Clint Bizkit

[Demons11 6,404]

1 hour ago, Ron Burgundy said:

Port will be top 4 next year.

 

Because of Watts???? Mate please.  He will play a role but if they are relying on him to get them to top 4, they are in a world of trouble 

[beelzebub 22,326]

7 minutes ago, Demons11 said:

Because of Watts???? Mate please.  He will play a role but if they are relying on him to get them to top 4, they are in a world of trouble 

No...not BECAUSE of Watts...with his help. You see not all clubs expect him to be the saviour nor token whipping boy. Watts will play a role, I suspect one much better suited to him and possibly better understood by his new coach.

Watts......is a finisher  etc..like icing on a cake....all the better for having it there

Wont surprise me is Jack plays something of a roving sweeper role. I can promise you one thing...Port players wont ignore him on the ground !! 

[sue 8,477]

I hope (but doubt) this will be my final word on the subject.

I suggest that there is no single reason that Watts is being moved on.  He is not as bad a player, trainer, influence as some have painted him.  But even those who support him have acknowledged he has deficiencies,  is no star but still a valuable player.  Since there may also be issues relating to team structure getting Lever in, salary cap issues, etc.,  taking it all into account it is reasonable that the FD have made the decision whetehr or not they have handled it well.  (I don't think we have to assume some yet to be revealed bad behaviour to add to that list but who knows).  I

To those who say the FD knows more than we do, well duh, of course they do.  Doesn't mean we can't question their decisions and  their implementation in this forum or what's the point of the forum. 

I trust those in the extreme axe-Watts camp who have arrogantly put down those criticising the FD's actions on the grounds the FD know more than us will never question any future decisions of the FD including the next week's team selection and positional moves during a game.

 

[beelzebub 22,326]

30 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

This is vying for the award of most unhinged comment and that's saying something.

Watts by the way averages 8 kicks per game. 

how many ever miss its intended target ?

[Wiseblood 24,636]

9 minutes ago, Akum said:

Not like us! Any gaps we have that need to be plugged, we have ...

Oh. Right.

This has nothing to do with us.  I don't know why I can't comment on another club without it somehow relating to the one I support and what we're doing.

Port don't have a huge amount of depth and they're soft when the pressure is on.  That's just fact, regardless of what we do.

[beelzebub 22,326]

10 hours ago, DemonWA said:

I hope we retain himif thats the best offer going. 

its actually irrelevant whats on offer...Watts is on offer ....work it out

[whatwhat say what 19,692]

as long as it's a second round pick and the club takes his entire salary in their cap, then the deal will get done

[beelzebub 22,326]

39 minutes ago, DemonAndrew said:

as long as it's a second round pick and the club takes his entire salary in their cap, then the deal will get done

I have no ability ( yet ) to verify  but I think the deal offered to Jack ( 3 years ) effectively replaces anything current.

There'll be a trade off of sorts between Port and Dees.