Farewell Jack Watts

[Bonkers 994]

1 hour ago, Sargent Shultz said:

Thanks, here is a couple of other old school thinkers (Sir Alex Ferguson from MU and Bill Walsh SF 49'rs) on what make a great coach, from a HBR article

https://hbr.org/2015/02/how-to-coach-according-to-5-great-sports-coaches

And Walsh agrees with Ferguson that the stars aren’t where you need to focus your energy. “Superstars will usually take care of themselves,” said Walsh. “Anybody can coach them.”

“The difference between winning and losing is the bottom 25% of your people,” explained Walsh. “Most coaches can deliver the top 75%. But the last 25% only blossoms in the details, in the orchestration of skills, in the way you prepare.”

The interviews are well worth reading in full, but a few key lessons stand out:

• Be prepared and expect the same of your team.
• Adjust your style to each of your employees’ needs. What works for one person could be detrimental to another. Figure out the best approach for each by watching your employees in action.
• Choose encouragement over criticism; but when you must criticize, give feedback as soon after the event as possible. Be honest but compassionate, then move on.
• Have high expectations. Believe in your team.
• Don’t ignore or sideline underperformers — your team is only as good as your weakest member. Instead, help them improve.
• Make progress tangible. Set clear goals and milestones, and celebrate when you hit them.

I hope you are aware of the long list of stars that Sir Alex moved on because they didn't have the desire or focus to do their job. David Beckham was one of them and I doubt he had the same issues that Watts has. 

[Go the Biff 3,414]

7 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

I do not like being Bent Over Dr. 

I have no problem with Watts being moved on, but it must be at a fair price. 

The way the deal looks now is Port are picking Jack up off the nature strip with the Hard Rubbish Trailer Rental And then we have to pay ongoing after that. 

I wish i could speak to Wattsy, i have been through enough sh!t in my time. I would back myself to sort out his priorities. 

A trip to The Austin Hospital Spinal Unit would be top of my list after the initial pleasantries. 

Have a chat to people who can no longer move or feel their own bodies. 

My disability is not as drastic as that, but i have had it for 54 years without respite. 

If Jack loves the club as he has said, he can honour his signature. If he runs away to Alberton and we still pay him a % of his salary, i and many others will be filthy. 

Our worst feature last season was field kicking. Who was the best exponent of Field kicking?

 

Do you really think he is running away ? I get the feeling he is being very strongly pushed

[beelzebub 23,313]

SWYL. Sentiments understood.

Much angst is leveled along a notion he's running away. He woke up one morning and found himself outside !! Many dont or cant see this. Remove the bullshlt rhetoric from the club. Just look at what is. This also goes to fair price.

Its a fair price from Port for Scrap !!

Jack is undoubtedly responsible for his own life and actions, as far as he ( or we in our own )can affect them .

There's a bit going on and Jacks just collateral now. 

We'll settle for #30 or there abouts...and that's not even the purpose of this exercise.

Often in footy we suggest lowering of eyes. I can only suggest to some...lift and open.

No sure why i bother though. The Inquisitors have spoken. Burn him.

[SFebes 4,884]

6 minutes ago, Go the Biff said:

Do you really think he is running away ? I get the feeling he is being very strongly pushed

He hasn't run anywhere in 9 years so I think you may be right

[Sargent Shultz 267]

33 minutes ago, Stretch Johnson said:

Is that evidence for or against trading Watts?

for

[Sir Why You Little 36,990]

8 minutes ago, SFebey said:

Yeah mate, I'm running out of ammo, all in good fun and none of my comments are against you, keep on punching 

All good mate. I am just sick of this club being kicked around by our opponents both on and off the field. 

Now often we F$&@ ourselves (Tiompas over Ollie Wines) exhibit A

But i am tired of watching Melbourne players win games in September in other jumpers. 

Stephen Armstrong was the last one, admittedly he had a good reason to go home. 

But Watts could easily kick goals in a class forward line given the right delivery. 

If it’s against us i will go Feral if we are paying him a wage!!!

[sue 9,099]

50 minutes ago, shorty said:

What did Jack do in Round 23???  Or the other 100 of the 150 he has played. Needs to grow up. He is 26

Ah, so the fact that Martin was 21 when he matured leaves hope for an immature Watts at 26 then....

[Guest]

1 minute ago, Sargent Shultz said:

for

I agree

His best finish in a side that finished 11th with an number of undeveloped footballers.

His best is not that good and is massively overstated.

[spalding 1,128]

1 hour ago, fr_ap said:

I don't post here very often but this appalling post has motivated me to do so. 

I don't think any of us here know the full extent of this story so for you to come out and attack Mahoney's and Goodwin's character in defence of Watts, using his apparent 'loyalty' as an excuse - is really poor. He has been a well paid employee over this time and appears to be (see how I don't portray this as fact?) the type of character who was happy to go along for the ride, or do the easy thing. You have no idea if Jack has always had the best interests of the MFC at heart. Zero idea. If he did, he certainly had a strange way of showing it by in my view picking and choosing when to perform.

The one thing we have been told is that after 9 years and 150 games, his inconsistency cannot be tolerated any longer.

Given we failed as a club this year due to inconsistency (was not rd23's fault, not Adelaide's fault, but the losses to NM x2,freo,haw that stood between us and top 4 - let alone finals), i think that whether they are right or wrong on Jack it is clear they are trying to address why we came up short. That is their role and they should not be attacked for it or have their motives questioned.

Personally, I had held some hope he would stay and turn it around, but his little video he has released eroded that hope and replaced it with anger.

Lovely for him to respond to a young concerned supporter yes, but to use that as a chance to overlay a swipe at the club and go on to essentially pisstake the club (my interpretation, others may differ) left me furious. 

How many other 26/27 year old 150 game players would release that when moving clubs? Compare to Jarman Impey's message to PA supporters - classy and gracious. Jack's approach to me is childish and immature. Perhaps that is why he is so well loved, perhaps  it is also why he's always been inconsistent. There have been a few other indicators of this over the journey. 

Do keep in mind Paul Roos was in a highly fortuitous position during his tenure. He was to be judged only a little on wins, moreso observed cultural change. He needed to build mateship and unity - I have little doubt Jack is top notch in these areas. We are through that stage and now need to break the ceiling. Evidently the FD think Jack, who appears to have developed so poorly and slowly on field and arguably (per video) off it, is not the best exponent of the breakthrough year.

Whether we make top 4 next year will have nothing to do with Jack, and him thriving elsewhere will not mean this was a bad decision.

 

 

I vote for this as the best post of the 200 pages.

[Wiseblood 24,637]

Is there anything worth catching up on from the last 10 pages, or is going back and reading it similar to what Andy Dufresne had to crawl through on his way to freedom in the Shawshank Redemption?

[Sir Why You Little 36,990]

12 minutes ago, Stretch Johnson said:

I agree

His best finish in a side that finished 11th with an number of undeveloped footballers.

His best is not that good and is massively overstated.

Jack is Flaky, we all agree on that. BUT he can kick goals from the 50 Metre line on the boundry. (He did it more than once this year) 

For that reason we shouldn’t get rid of him at any price. 

If Jeelong can get 19 for Motlop....

(those smarmy bastards would have cracked bottles of Moet last night. 19 for that Powder Puff!!!

Grrrr

[beelzebub 23,313]

250..250 anyone ?? 

Any Shakespearian devotees here ? 

[demoniac 1,330]

2 hours ago, Biffen said:

here are a few similarities between RF and JW.

Both loved the club and signed on in dark times despite more attractive offers.

Both have sublime foot skills on both sides of the body.

Both could play in a number of positions

Both played in terrible teams but my argument was that in RFs time the players kicking to his vicinity could at least kick a drop punt that allowed Robbie to leap at the ball with some certainty.

In an era when have had deplorable foot skills, JW has had no hope of knowing where the ball will go next.

For what ever reason,JW has been smart enough to hang outside the contest when we often swarm into the contest like flies.

Words fail me.

[ChewyOnMyBoot 152]

13 hours ago, chook fowler said:

The more I hear about Jack the more I understand how it has come to this. His partying is at another level and his application is poor. He is also a victim of his own popularity in that he is highly influential with the younger players. Also it seems he is quite immature and has no insight into how his behaviour may be impacting on his performance. As much as I like him he has to go. I only hope the deal is reasonable. 

I only hope the truth actually does come out.

I don't know how people can claim that his partying is at another level. The question I have is if Jacks partying If it was then surely the media would have been coming up with all the stories about his partying - Jack couldn't possibly hide his 'partying' ways in this town. So until I read a piece about Jack being found on the grog or p155ed in public I'll reserve my opinion.

I assume he is allowed to have a good time when he goes out though. And that as long as he's not on the [censored] then it doesn't really matter how much he's going out. I'm sure he has a good time when he does go out because he loves being around others. It's obvious. And I expect that if there's anything on then Jack is likely to be invited because he actually has a way of making others feel good about themselves.

Lastly, I'm not so sure about 'poor application'? With my Sherlock Holmes hat on there's another question that can be asked here.........if the footy club wanted to move Jack 'Bambi' Watts on (say somebody at MFC just didn't like the way Jack went about his footy - which I'm ok with, they have the right to make that decision), a player that it seems many supporters have a different kind of 'love' for, then how might they best go about rounding up some support for the slaughtering of 'Bambi'? Just asking the question. Hahahaha.

Did any one else hear the Ox on SEN during the last week, when discussing a topic with Mike Sheahan (which wasn't about Jack). He quite strongly put forward the notion that you can be pretty well assured that most anything you hear from footy clubs is probably a lie. They just put out the story that they want you to hear. And he agreed with Mike that he had in fact told plenty of porkies to the media in his playing days.

Personally, I can't wait until the truth comes out. And I would be surprised if it comes from Jack (in the media). Rather, I think you will find it will come from one of the players - sooner or later.

[beelzebub 23,313]

3 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Jack is Flaky, we all agree on that. BUT he can kick goals from the 50 Metre line on the boundry. (He did it more than once this year) 

For that reason we shouldn’t get rid of him at any price. 

If Jeelong can get 19 for Motlop....

(those smarmy bastards would have cracked bottles of Moet last night. 19 for that Powder Puff!!!

Grrrr

Swyl...

The problem is...they cut Jack's vein and found it Burgundy...

He just doesn't bleed Red & Blue in the right manner.

He's now off to a land of Stobie Poles, Pie Floaters and Southwark 

.... Where Reds are plentiful , well nurtured and cultivated. Even Burgundy is understood there.

[Sir Why You Little 36,990]

44 minutes ago, Go the Biff said:

Do you really think he is running away ? I get the feeling he is being very strongly pushed

Exploring options  is not being pushed out in my view. It is a final wake up call. “Shape up or Ship out

bring pushed out the door is

”pack your bags now” and Security escorting said person off the premises. 

We are not at that stage yet. We may be there by next week. 

At this stage Jack has been asked (told) to “wake up to yourself”

if he fails to respond he will be sold off or banished to Casey to rot..

at no stage should we just give him away and continue to pay a wage. 

That is pure insanity in my view...

[beelzebub 23,313]

@ChewyOnMyBoot et al

Can the many actually handle the truth ?

Look forward to a book about this era of the club. It might join other illustriou tomes. In the meantime I'll settle for some eminently successful footy.

[sue 9,099]

One thing I am sure of is that those who are keen to remove Watts will always be prooved right. If Watts performs well at another club it will be because he needed this gigantic kick up the posterior which would never had happened with us.  If he is no good, it will also be proof they were right.

But imagine this forum if Watts stayed.  The detailed criticism he'd be subjected to every week would make these 204 pages look like a mere blip.

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

There is undoubtedly something super strange about this divorce.

Don't know what exactly, but there's definitely more to it.

I'm just annoyed we have to make maintenance payments to Port going forward. That really sucks.

 

[jnrmac 20,055]

1 hour ago, Sargent Shultz said:

Do you always completely miss the point? or is this a once off? I admitted that "I guessed" it was Hardwick, thanks for the edification Chocco it is, and that it was the "coaches" responsibility. "Coaches" in this context is all those responsible for player performance and welfare.

The point of the post was- it is possible to turn around a players performance and be greatly rewarded- but it is the responsibility of both the coach(s) and the player.

you actually supported my proposition

The player has to want to do it.

[Nasher 33,609]

14 minutes ago, ChewyOnMyBoot said:

I only hope the truth actually does come out.

I don't know how people can claim that his partying is at another level. The question I have is if Jacks partying If it was then surely the media would have been coming up with all the stories about his partying - Jack couldn't possibly hide his 'partying' ways in this town. So until I read a piece about Jack being found on the grog or p155ed in public I'll reserve my opinion.

I assume he is allowed to have a good time when he goes out though. And that as long as he's not on the [censored] then it doesn't really matter how much he's going out. I'm sure he has a good time when he does go out because he loves being around others. It's obvious. And I expect that if there's anything on then Jack is likely to be invited because he actually has a way of making others feel good about themselves.

Lastly, I'm not so sure about 'poor application'? With my Sherlock Holmes hat on there's another question that can be asked here.........if the footy club wanted to move Jack 'Bambi' Watts on (say somebody at MFC just didn't like the way Jack went about his footy - which I'm ok with, they have the right to make that decision), a player that it seems many supporters have a different kind of 'love' for, then how might they best go about rounding up some support for the slaughtering of 'Bambi'? Just asking the question. Hahahaha.

Did any one else hear the Ox on SEN during the last week, when discussing a topic with Mike Sheahan (which wasn't about Jack). He quite strongly put forward the notion that you can be pretty well assured that most anything you hear from footy clubs is probably a lie. They just put out the story that they want you to hear. And he agreed with Mike that he had in fact told plenty of porkies to the media in his playing days.

Personally, I can't wait until the truth comes out. And I would be surprised if it comes from Jack (in the media). Rather, I think you will find it will come from one of the players - sooner or later.

The whole time you've been on this forum you've hinted at some secret "truth" that you won't explicitly say. You are fast presenting yourself as being completely full of hot air. It is well time to put up, or...

Edited October 15, 2017 by Nasher

[jnrmac 20,055]

1 minute ago, sue said:

One thing I am sure of is that those who are keen to remove Watts will always be prooved right. If Watts performs well at another club it will be because he needed this gigantic kick up the posterior which would never had happened with us.  If he is no good, it will also be proof they were right.

But imagine this forum if Watts stayed.  The detailed criticism he'd be subjected to every week would make these 204 pages look like a mere blip.

So if Watts stayed that wouldn't be a giant kick up the posterior?

Your objectivity has slipped behind your virtue signalling.

 

[demoniac 1,330]

4 minutes ago, ChewyOnMyBoot said:

I only hope the truth actually does come out.

I don't know how people can claim that his partying is at another level. The question I have is if Jacks partying If it was then surely the media would have been coming up with all the stories about his partying - Jack couldn't possibly hide his 'partying' ways in this town. So until I read a piece about Jack being found on the grog or p155ed in public I'll reserve my opinion.

I assume he is allowed to have a good time when he goes out though. And that as long as he's not on the [censored] then it doesn't really matter how much he's going out. I'm sure he has a good time when he does go out because he loves being around others. It's obvious. And I expect that if there's anything on then Jack is likely to be invited because he actually has a way of making others feel good about themselves.

Lastly, I'm not so sure about 'poor application'? With my Sherlock Holmes hat on there's another question that can be asked here.........if the footy club wanted to move Jack 'Bambi' Watts on (say somebody at MFC just didn't like the way Jack went about his footy - which I'm ok with, they have the right to make that decision), a player that it seems many supporters have a different kind of 'love' for, then how might they best go about rounding up some support for the slaughtering of 'Bambi'? Just asking the question. Hahahaha.

Did any one else hear the Ox on SEN during the last week, when discussing a topic with Mike Sheahan (which wasn't about Jack). He quite strongly put forward the notion that you can be pretty well assured that most anything you hear from footy clubs is probably a lie. They just put out the story that they want you to hear. And he agreed with Mike that he had in fact told plenty of porkies to the media in his playing days.

Personally, I can't wait until the truth comes out. And I would be surprised if it comes from Jack (in the media). Rather, I think you will find it will come from one of the players - sooner or later.

My question remains that given Jack's natural talent, and the fact that he should be hitting his footballing prime why is there not greater demand for his services from other clubs? What does this say about how Jack is viewed by AFL clubs?

Maybe Jack has done nothing particularly scandalous except after 9 years in the system he still fails to accept the reality of the lifestyle the modern game demands. To wit his comment in the video to the young fan may be emblamatic of his thinking. I'm an elite kick so why is the club showing me the door. And the answer is that the lifestyle and preparation demands are the same on every player even those with elite kicking skills.. I think Jack'll find that is Kenny's attitude.

[jnrmac 20,055]

23 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Jack is Flaky, we all agree on that. BUT he can kick goals from the 50 Metre line on the boundry. (He did it more than once this year) 

For that reason we shouldn’t get rid of him at any price. 

If Jeelong can get 19 for Motlop....

(those smarmy bastards would have cracked bottles of Moet last night. 19 for that Powder Puff!!!

Grrrr

Do you really not understand that Motlop is a restricted free agent and compensation rules apply?

[McQueen 17,864]

23 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

Is there anything worth catching up on from the last 10 pages, or is going back and reading it similar to what Andy Dufresne had to crawl through on his way to freedom in the Shawshank Redemption?

The latter.