Terrible trade Sorry to see ya go Jack . Goodluck . 

  On 17/10/2017 at 05:27, Fat Tony said:

I know we get salary cap relief, but in isolation I see Pick 31 is a poor outcome IMO. Here is the recent history of pick 31: 

Jordan Roughead	Western Bulldogs	North Ballarat U18	2008
Jason Tutt	Western Bulldogs	NSW-ACT U18	2009
Ariel Steinberg	Essendon	Bendigo U18	2010
Jackson Merrett	Essendon	Geelong U18	2011
Kamdyn McIntosh	Richmond	Peel Thunder	2012
Malcolm Karpany	West Coast	Woodville-West Torrens	2013
Daniel Howe	Hawthorn	Murray U18	2014
Ryan Clarke	North Melbourne	Eastern U18	2015
Joshua Begley	Essendon	Eastern U18	2016

 

That’s an appalling list...

  On 17/10/2017 at 10:18, sue said:

The depressing thing is that Sam does not understand why he was moved on, thought Watts was doing OK.  Surely you see that?  If this is true, then the communciation of the 'message' to the younger team members is a disaster.

Hi Sue, I reckon u know a fair bit about false promises, club  bultish spin doctoring and esoteric hopes!! And yes we have met!

Could this be more about positioning ourselves to retain much of our future stars beyond next season, who will all be looking for substantial pay increases.  What if his current contract is backloaded and years 2 and 3 could be become a millstone. What if bringing 3 kids in this year on minimum wages buys us some time to build a war chest for beyond this season.

The way this has played out, it feels a little about setting standards and a lot about salary cap positioning.

 

 

  On 17/10/2017 at 10:07, Roost It said:

We have the players to win the flag, doesn't mean we will but we have them. Our list is far superiors to Richmonds. We still need some more years under the belt I would think 

You cannot say our list is superior to Richmond. They performed when asked. 

We haven’t beaten North for 11 seasons

We lost to Freo at home this year. Went Goalless for a full quarter. 

The MFC has been promising for years and delivered nothing

i hope Goodwin can change that

  On 17/10/2017 at 08:02, praha said:

There has to be more to it than this. The only change in personalle between re-signing him and now, is Goodwin in a head coach position.

He must have done something, or got caught with something. 

He was apparently a naughty boy pre-season Praha, along with a few others, and was singled out to set an example.  Possibly the most senior/experienced of the group?

  On 17/10/2017 at 10:18, sue said:

The depressing thing is that Sam does not understand why he was moved on, thought Watts was doing OK.  Surely you see that?  If this is true, then the communciation of the 'messgae' to the younger team members is a disaster.

Maybe that's the culture at the club that Goodwin's trying to change. The players get too comfortable in their skins, and the results prove it. We have a great win against all odds, then lose a game we're expected to win.

  On 17/10/2017 at 10:17, Hell Bent said:

Gold Coast or even Freo would have been ideal, and they surely could do with a player like Watts, but even they werent interested.....seems strange to me.

So if thats the logic I'd be concermed about Lever because he had only one club after his services. And they're going to pay him a sh#tload. Seems strange to me.

  On 17/10/2017 at 10:18, sue said:

The depressing thing is that Sam does not understand why he was moved on, thought Watts was doing OK.  Surely you see that?  If this is true, then the communciation of the 'message' to the younger team members is a disaster.

It's second or third hand information. If Weed doesn't understand now he soon will. 

Okay, I'm personally in the gutted his gone part but can see some of the reasons they wanted him gone, but also that I think he's more than pick 31 worth, but also that the MFC staff obviously have their reasons.

To summarise, I think I'm just sad he's gone. Jack was synonymous with the MFC and no one can deny he was a good bloke. I wish him the best.

Can the posters who want to sit there and shove their 'hate Jack Watts' opinions down people's throats just [censored] off for a bit and let those of us who are sad just mourn for a bit. That would be appreciated.

  On 17/10/2017 at 10:00, Earl Hood said:

Spoke to a friend who taught Sam Weideman as the resident phys ed coach, in VCE last year or the year before? Not sure what year but he spoke to Sam last week and his comments were that Sam couldn't work through this issue. Sam thought Jack is the ultimate club player, everyone loves him and Sam thought he was performing. And OK I can see this as part of the problem identified by Goodwin.

 

So maybe Sam will now choose another role model and perhaps live up to his own potential?

  On 17/10/2017 at 07:48, Rusty Nails said:

Goodwin & Co will need to deliver in 2018 Picket as what may go down, at the end of 2018, could send this club into a final nose dive that it may not recover from IF we don't make finals (and get a decent result in them also).  

I'm assuming (rightly or wrongly) that Goodwin & Co have probably also gotten wind of this and realise that its 2018 or bust (for them/us?) with the Lever trade and JW sacrifice a sign of their ruthless attempt to make the most of next year (an "all - in" play now, given the hole cards they know will probably be dealt at the end of 2018??).

Apparently JW wasn't the only player to return from the summer break in a bad way either, but unfortunately was made the sole scapegoat.  Easy target (nice guys always finish last sit?)

Nah he wasn't the only one. I think Oliver did too - difference is after having a "chat" with him the kid pulled his finger out and pushed himself to win the club b&f by a street in his second season 

  On 17/10/2017 at 10:22, Sir Why You Little said:

You cannot say our list is superior to Richmond. They performed when asked. 

We haven’t beaten North for 11 seasons

We lost to Freo at home this year. Went Goalless for a full quarter. 

The MFC has been promising for years and delivered nothing

i hope Goodwin can change that

Player to player we have a superior list

  On 17/10/2017 at 10:22, Sir Why You Little said:

You cannot say our list is superior to Richmond. They performed when asked. 

We haven’t beaten North for 11 seasons

We lost to Freo at home this year. Went Goalless for a full quarter. 

The MFC has been promising for years and delivered nothing

i hope Goodwin can change that

Goodwin has put his cards on the table SWYL, so he's [censored] if the team doesn't deliver.

Looks like he he enjoyed his 'recreational' time in Byron Bay, lol!

  On 17/10/2017 at 08:26, Skuit said:

Hunt 57

ANB 40

Omac 53

Hannan 46

 

Go Dees!

see you and raise you 10 from 2011-13

Mitch Clisby

James Sellar

Josh Tynan

Rory Taggert

Michael Evans

Divid Nicholson

Dean Terlich

Matt Jones

Jimmy Toumpas

Jay Kennedy Harris

 

  On 17/10/2017 at 10:22, Ungarie boy said:

Could this be more about positioning ourselves to retain much of our future stars beyond next season, who will all be looking for substantial pay increases.  What if his current contract is backloaded and years 2 and 3 could be become a millstone. What if bringing 3 kids in this year on minimum wages buys us some time to build a war chest for beyond this season.

The way this has played out, it feels a little about setting standards and a lot about salary cap positioning.

 

 

I would suggest more about the former UB.  Next year is our make or break year as far as retention of future stars and that will be more about the team's  overall progress and as well as the $$ available to increase offers as you suggest.

Some will wander if we do not make finals and perform to or above expectations PLUS offer something very decent to retain (and even that might not cut it for some coming out of contract).

 

In the end a good deal for Port. However realistically we wouldn't have expected much or anymore than 25. Unfortunately for Melbourne Port the only club willing to cough up. Geelong were keen but apparently wanted to flip us a pick in the 50s. 
We pay a part of Watts salary. Big deal this happens all the time. Especially when the club is offloading a player. It's not like we're going to be paying his whole salary. 
There are obviously some issues with Watts. Mahoney alluding to some preparation issues but said it was mainly that after 9 years he hasn't performed tomthe expected level. I think reading between the lines of the recent Jones Goodwin and Mahoney interviews they expect more from him outside of performances for a 9 year player. Probably not setting the example. 
In terms of team structure we have brought Lever in and will likely play Tmac forward with Hogan and possibly Weideman/Pedersen. Or we'll go more mobile with Vandenberg or Tim Smith as options who provide pressure. 
Anyway sad to see Watts go as he was a fan favourite over the years. But I'll back the footy department.

 

He's a party boy, that's the facts. He's gone, I liked him so did my young kids. Do we already like Lever more? Hell yeh. If you can't convince you're young kids it's all good you've got bigger issues than Watts playing for Port. And yes I'll boo him with tongue firmly in cheek

  On 17/10/2017 at 10:28, Roost It said:

Player to player we have a superior list

Based on what?

As a 30 year plus member of this club I am astounded at the reaction to the Watts trade.  What a sad situation under the circumstances that has caused such division amongst supporters.  

Watts is a terrric young bloke, he was poorly treated during the Neeld era where the club behaved very badly.

Since then Watts has been part of a club resurrection and he has played a number of very good games.  

I wish many would be honest with themselves about Watts.  In 9 years he has not even come close to AA, he has underperformed for a major part of his career so far.

Watts has been given many many chances over the past 4 years to live up to his potential.  

I remind everyone that Max Gawn stepped up, and Oliver decided to do what is required and as result won a bluey.  Watts has never had that intensity to reach his full potential.  I like the guy, I am sad he is no longer at the club, however I have had a gutful of supporters who seem to be satisfied holding onto a player who regularly underperforms and does not display the urgency that this club needs.

the club may have handled this better!  In my opinion many supporters need to grow up!  Many look like they are happy with mediocrity.  The club is heading in the right direction better than at any time during the past 10 years. Maybe many supporters need to harden up if they are in sync with the new MFC.

  On 17/10/2017 at 10:22, Ungarie boy said:

Could this be more about positioning ourselves to retain much of our future stars beyond next season, who will all be looking for substantial pay increases.  What if his current contract is backloaded and years 2 and 3 could be become a millstone. What if bringing 3 kids in this year on minimum wages buys us some time to build a war chest for beyond this season.

The way this has played out, it feels a little about setting standards and a lot about salary cap positioning.

 

 

I reckon your right - despite the vocal 30% against watts most watchers cant really fault the guy without falling into discussion that doesnt add up . Go back and watch the doggies win the guy is more than serviceable, cracks in and plays smart footy reading the ball trying to gain advantages  ( a snap shot yes ) 

There is somthing missing and I believe now that the lever deal and a contract or two is the missing narrative that Mahoney and gang have left out . They had to choose someone and again it was the whipping boy . 

Pick 31 what a joke . And paying part of his salary .

we have given up two first rounders and jack Watts for lever and pick 31 . 

 

  On 17/10/2017 at 10:22, mo64 said:

Maybe that's the culture at the club that Goodwin's trying to change. The players get too comfortable in their skins, and the results prove it. We have a great win against all odds, then lose a game we're expected to win.

Yes he may be trying to change the culture.  But surely the FD should make sure that the other players are  informed on why Watts was moved on before now.  Sam should not be confused if the CLub had explained the decision to the players.

  On 17/10/2017 at 10:23, Roost It said:

It's second or third hand information. If Weed doesn't understand now he soon will. 

Yeah. I said "If it is true".   I'm hoping it's not true, because I'll be depressed if it is.

But surely good communciation to the players should have happened already.  Sam should know before now why the Club was moving Watts on.   If he is bewildered then there is a big communcation failure.  What's the point of sending a message if you don't send it? 

  On 17/10/2017 at 09:57, ProDee said:

I completely agree.

I'm a Goody fan, but he's put a target on his back with this decision.  Unlike others, I really think it's a Goody/Macca decision and not necessarily an all FD decision.

I'll back him in, but there will be heat if he falters.

I suspect you're half right

I think the most significant thing Josh Mahoney said today was this trade was all about Jacks ONFIELD performance.  Doesn't make sense to me given the bagging he's had about preparation?? Jacks onfield for 18 months prior to injury was good.  Mixed messages if you ask me