It’s wasn’t the supporters, the club let him and every other player in that era down. 

Watts also let himself down with his love of motorboats and white line fever.

Watts has played 174 games . Nic Nat 167. He has averaged 15 disposals a game over his whole career.

There is a strong chance Jack will end up a 200 game player. Thats a pretty good effort. He has copped a lot of flack over his career, a lot of it unfair. If we had of taken Nic Nat in the draft he probably would have headed home after a couple of years.

I rate, and like, Jack Watts.

Gubby Allan told me a few years ago that the majority of clubs had him at number one.

I wish him all the best.

 

  On 10/06/2020 at 10:42, Ron Burgundy said:

I rate, and like, Jack Watts.

Gubby Allan told me a few years ago that the majority of clubs had him at number one.

I wish him all the best.

 

Yes, it's quite amazing that so many derogatory things are said and told about a player who had sublime talent,  who, when you watch the replays of the games we won, was always on the front line. Um, 174 games, says it all. I wish he was still playing for Melbourne.

  On 10/06/2020 at 10:28, demonmerv said:

Watts has played 174 games . Nic Nat 167. He has averaged 15 disposals a game over his whole career.

There is a strong chance Jack will end up a 200 game player. Thats a pretty good effort. He has copped a lot of flack over his career, a lot of it unfair. If we had of taken Nic Nat in the draft he probably would have headed home after a couple of years.

That's nice nat missing pretty much 2 years of footy with a knee injury just to be clear..

Classy comments from Nic Nat.  Like a few others, I rated and still rate Watts, his kicking efficiency and ability to hit-up targets inside 50 is something the side could well do with now.  But I also get the impression that Nic Nat is a pretty solid citizen and we would have done well to pick him also.

Yep.

The vitriol against Watts from day one was bizarre and I don’t think it’s happened since.  For some reason, he was in the gun from the moment he was drafted.

One things for sure, i'd take Watts over Weideman everyday of the week.

  On 10/06/2020 at 13:04, Demon Disciple said:

One things for sure, i'd take Watts over Weideman everyday of the week.

 

That kind of statement is at the very heart of what Natanui is talking about.

 

  On 10/06/2020 at 10:47, dieter said:

Yes, it's quite amazing that so many derogatory things are said and told about a player who had sublime talent,  who, when you watch the replays of the games we won, was always on the front line. Um, 174 games, says it all. I wish he was still playing for Melbourne.

Same here.

I’m glad we have Fritsch though.

Edited June 10, 20204 yr by Ron Burgundy

  On 10/06/2020 at 11:09, dazzledavey36 said:

That's nice nat missing pretty much 2 years of footy with a knee injury just to be clear..

Jack Didnt play much last year with a broken leg. Lets not make excuses

Loved Jack, sadly his desire at times let him and teh club down and the Club let him down as well. He really is the poster boy for a club that lacked identity, direction and any hint of professionalism.

He will play 200 plus games which is a very good career. i have had the pleasure of being in his company a couple times, you wont find a more polite, genuine and happy go lucky bloke. Wish him nothing but the best, sadly his time at MFC was tainted and he needed a move.

Nic Nat seems like a great bloke as well. 

  On 10/06/2020 at 10:28, demonmerv said:

Watts has played 174 games . Nic Nat 167. He has averaged 15 disposals a game over his whole career.

There is a strong chance Jack will end up a 200 game player. Thats a pretty good effort. He has copped a lot of flack over his career, a lot of it unfair. If we had of taken Nic Nat in the draft he probably would have headed home after a couple of years.

I knew a guy who was really close to Nic Nat and his family, was told at the time that he was only going to stay for the two years and request to go home. He was/is really close to his family. 

  On 11/06/2020 at 06:35, Age said:

I knew a guy who was really close to Nic Nat and his family, was told at the time that he was only going to stay for the two years and request to go home. He was/is really close to his family. 

Have heard the same.

Imagine losing Scully and NicNat in consecutive years...

  On 11/06/2020 at 06:35, Age said:

I knew a guy who was really close to Nic Nat and his family, was told at the time that he was only going to stay for the two years and request to go home. He was/is really close to his family. 

I spoke to Jim Stynes at a function just prior to the 2008 draft and he mentioned being concerned about a “go home” factor with Nic Nat and so it came to pass. I had the impression from that conversation that had it not been for the go home problem we would have picked  Naitanui. But we picked Jack and that’s that!

 

  On 11/06/2020 at 07:17, Dee Dee said:

I spoke to Jim Stynes at a function just prior to the 2008 draft and he mentioned being concerned about a “go home” factor with Nic Nat and so it came to pass. I had the impression from that conversation that had it not been for the go home problem we would have picked  Naitanui. But we picked Jack and that’s that!

 

Correct.

McNamee wanted Nic as he thought he would generate more excitement, crowds:supporters, advertising. 

But he had no say and was on the nose with Jimmy. And left the club as a result. 

Was a tough period for supporters, but we didn't exactly cover ourselves in glory with how we treated a kid we drafted.

 

  On 10/06/2020 at 10:01, Cards13 said:

Watts also let himself down with his love of motorboats and white line fever.

What red-blooded 20-something male doesn't love that?

  On 11/06/2020 at 07:05, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

Have heard the same.

Imagine losing Scully and NicNat in consecutive years...

I probably could have come to respect that somewhat.  At least Nic Nat wouldn't have just been leaving because he was a money hungry slimy little turd.

  On 10/06/2020 at 10:42, Ron Burgundy said:

I rate, and like, Jack Watts.

Gubby Allan told me a few years ago that the majority of clubs had him at number one.

I wish him all the best.

 

Just goes to show the majority recruiters lack imagination and are in furious agreement with each other and do not do their homework. Jack showed nothing in his school career other than being taller than his opponents, some ability to do a straight 30 metre lead, take a chest mark and kick straight from 30 metres out. Find some footage and you will see that. Remarked elsewhere that Shifter Sheehan know it all was raving about Jack based on very average footage. No disrespect to Jack as I like him but no 1, no. Its a big if but if we had Nic Nat and Gawn.....

Irks me, but earlier we got Jeff White in similar circumstances 

Always liked Jack and he was given so many chances

Very Skilled, but not hungry enough

Let's face it, the 2008 draft was pretty ordinary.  A number of players selected are still on lists, but a huge majority of them are far from the top of their respective club (and many have also changed clubs).