Jack Watts Interview

[bing181 9,424]

Really worth a listen. Depressing though what he - and others at the time - went through.

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/inside-50-with-crawf-quinny/id1499492812

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"Former Melbourne Demons No. 1 draftee Jack Watts joins Shane Crawford and Nick Quinn on a special finals edition of the Inside 50 podcast, discussing his own tumultuous AFL career and the cultural revamp that has vaulted Melbourne into premiership favouritism. Watts was an extremely impressive junior athlete as both a footballer and a basketballer. Watts shared the court with the likes of Matthew Dellavedova and Andrew Bogut before ultimately choosing to pursue football, which led to him being the top selection for a success-starved Demons side. His first game against a red-hot Collingwood Magpies on the Queen's Birthday was one of the most anticipated debuts in AFL history. It was a baptism of fire for Watts, who was dropped the next week after a lacklustre showing against Essendon in the following round. Watts would go on to be a top-five finisher in the Demons' best and fairest award. He played 152 games for Melbourne before being traded to the Port Adelaide Power in 2018. Watts retired due to injuries following the COVID-affected 2020 season."

[deelusions from afar 1,870]

Does anyone think that the way the game is currently played,  Watts would fit right in? I'm not talking about the development programs at the club when he was drafted (or lack thereof) as its too hard to know.

But look at the forwards that are kicking goals - there's less of the big power forwards and more that can lead up and run back.  Our team especially requires forwards to sprint back to goal and get marks / goals over the back on turnover.  Elite kicking seems to get more important every year.... all of these aspects were Wattsy's strength.

[FarNorthernD 5,861]

I was sad to see Jack leave the Club. He was loyal, provided some highlights and there were few other players I’d want kicking for me to save the house.
Having said that he would not get within a bulls roar of this current Melbourne side. Every player has to play team defence and every player dedicated to the team not the individual.

Plus we made out like bandits scoring Fritsch in return for Watts

20 minutes ago, deelusions from afar said:

Does anyone think that the way the game is currently played,  Watts would fit right in? I'm not talking about the development programs at the club when he was drafted (or lack thereof) as its too hard to know.

But look at the forwards that are kicking goals - there's less of the big power forwards and more that can lead up and run back.  Our team especially requires forwards to sprint back to goal and get marks / goals over the back on turnover.  Elite kicking seems to get more important every year.... all of these aspects were Wattsy's strength.

 

Edited August 31, 2021 by FarNorthernD

[dazzledavey36 55,867]

29 minutes ago, deelusions from afar said:

Does anyone think that the way the game is currently played,  Watts would fit right in? I'm not talking about the development programs at the club when he was drafted (or lack thereof) as its too hard to know.

But look at the forwards that are kicking goals - there's less of the big power forwards and more that can lead up and run back.  Our team especially requires forwards to sprint back to goal and get marks / goals over the back on turnover.  Elite kicking seems to get more important every year.... all of these aspects were Wattsy's strength.

Simon Goodwon made the right call in getting rid of Watts.

Our team is built on players being defensive competitive animals.

Jack Watts does not fit this criteria. 

[whatwhat say what 23,428]

34 minutes ago, deelusions from afar said:

Does anyone think that the way the game is currently played,  Watts would fit right in? I'm not talking about the development programs at the club when he was drafted (or lack thereof) as its too hard to know.

But look at the forwards that are kicking goals - there's less of the big power forwards and more that can lead up and run back.  Our team especially requires forwards to sprint back to goal and get marks / goals over the back on turnover.  Elite kicking seems to get more important every year.... all of these aspects were Wattsy's strength.

no

no workrate

[roy11 3,968]

1 hour ago, FarNorthernD said:

Plus we made out like bandits scoring Fritsch in return for Watts

A lot of our trades are working out brilliantly compared to yesteryear. I am all for it

[DeeZone 10,401]

Great interview covered all aspects of Jacks career and we get an in depth view of Mark Neeld and how he set our club back 5-6 years, he punished them to the stage they were nervous about going to training. Very sad for the whole playing group in those days.!!!😪

[Dido 79]

1 hour ago, FarNorthernD said:

I was sad to see Jack leave the Club. He was loyal, provided some highlights and there were few other players I’d want kicking for me to save the house.
Having said that he would not get within a bulls roar of this current Melbourne side. Every player has to play team defence and every player dedicated to the team not the individual.

Plus we made out like bandits scoring Fritsch in return for Watts

 

I was sad to see him go too. This dedication to the team and not the individual has see some of the current players develop in a winning team. Why would it be any different if Jack stayed at the club and was given the opportunities to developed a defensive, team orientation mindset along with them.

[dazzledavey36 55,867]

5 minutes ago, Dido said:

I was sad to see him go too. This dedication to the team and not the individual has see some of the current players develop in a winning team. Why would it be any different if Jack stayed at the club and was given the opportunities to developed a defensive, team orientation mindset along with them.

When you're 8 years into the system with nearly 150 games in your career, maybe coming back to pre season in poor shape isn't exactly showing the right commitment to the team.

It was well known his application to training and off field standards was pretty poor. 

He was given ample of opportunities to change this.

 

[low flying Robbo 979]

I tooo was sad to see him go, but I had a chat with one of the coaches who was there at the time and he effort off the field just wasn't up to scratch. Wouldn't cut it in our current team.

[Mickey 4,756]

Always loved Jack. But listening to this just reinforces why he never made it; clearly loved (and loves) the off field side of the game too much.

Not sure how much of that was development and a lack of leaders and how much is just his personality. But I get the feeling he loves being a lad too much to ever really get everything out of a his career

[Gawndy the Great 9,011]

Seem to be fun to be around, but clearly lacked the winning edge and intensity that was required to be in a high performing team. Really sad to see such a waste of talent - but it is a game for the elite performer AND trainer. 

[Guest]

4 hours ago, deelusions from afar said:

Does anyone think that the way the game is currently played,  Watts would fit right in? I'm not talking about the development programs at the club when he was drafted (or lack thereof) as its too hard to know.

But look at the forwards that are kicking goals - there's less of the big power forwards and more that can lead up and run back.  Our team especially requires forwards to sprint back to goal and get marks / goals over the back on turnover.  Elite kicking seems to get more important every year.... all of these aspects were Wattsy's strength.

Depends.

He was a young man when he was drafted.  Who knows what the exposure to our current culture might have done for him?  he would have to earn his place firstly, play his role and work within a defensive game plan and sacrifice self.

More likely though it would go the other way for him and he would not last as long as he did.

Edited September 1, 2021 by Guest

[deelusions from afar 1,870]

Wow! Forgot what a lightning rod any mention of Watts and his being traded can be on this site!

My comments earlier weren't meant to be a criticism to trade him and clearly weren't taking into account whether he had the desire / competitiveness / work rate to make it in our current team.  More just a comment on a player with his (physical) attributes would suit current trends in the game (particularly ours).

Got no argument with people that say he wouldn't have the competitiveness to make it in the team and certainly not wanting to get into the debate as to how much of that is on Jack and how much on the club / culture / development etc.

[reynolds46 1,297]

don’t usually rate these types of past player perspectives but this is definitely worth the listen. Gives a great insight into the Lows and highs of the past decade or so of the MFC and how far we have come and clearly Jack is a cracking guy.

[dazzledavey36 55,867]

Interestingly he mentioned that even after he was traded Goody still stayed in touched and reached out to him when he went through that [censored] at Port.

Can see why Goody is highly respected by the playing group.

[Lord Travis 10,793]

This was a good listen. We all know how rubbish the club was from 2007-2017 basically, but hearing Jack speak about it like this really rams it home. I reckon Jack copped it in the media etc more than any other player in the history of the sport, all because of his draft number that he had no choice about. The environment back then was not a good one for any player, but was particularly bad for youngsters.It must’ve been horrible to be drafted the club back then. Jones and Gawn are basically the only players who made it through that era. Dozens of others didn’t make it, despite being talented. 

Jack was drafted as a 17 year older still doing year 12. He was a year younger than the rest of his draft class and the AFL changed the draft age rules as a result after he was drafted. Jack was obviously a supremely talented footballer and sportsman. You don’t go pick one in the draft when you’re a year younger than everyone else unless you’re a freak. I truly believe if he was drafted to a good club with strong leaders back then that he would’ve wound up a champion. Instead he wound up at the basket case of the era and was thrown to the wolves. People might still say he wouldn’t have made it due to personality, but fact is we drafted over 30 players throughout those years and less than 10% made it. The stats are damning on our player development and culture.

Interesting listening to him talk about Neeld as a coach. He really did set us back years and ruin lots of people’s careers and ties to the club. Jack, along with basically everyone, is clearly not a fan. 4:30am swim sessions at the beach in the freezing cold is not the way to instill discipline or inspire anyone, let alone a youngster you yell at on repeat.

Despite the horrible experiences he had, Jack still loves the red and blue and hopes we win the flag. Thanks for the memories Jack. The Queens Birthday sealer will live fondly in my memory forever.

[picket fence 17,973]

4 hours ago, DeeZone said:

Great interview covered all aspects of Jacks career and we get an in depth view of Mark Neeld and how he set our club back 5-6 years, he punished them to the stage they were nervous about going to training. Very sad for the whole playing group in those days.!!!😪

5 or 6? Until we win a premiership it could be called the Neeld curse! 

[Vipercrunch 2,847]

I think he would have been a totally different player if he was drafted to the Melbourne of 2018 onwards instead of when he was actually drafted.  Too much pressure.  Treated him like the messiah before his name was even read out on draft night.  And then we tanked.  Of course he never reached his potential.

The Melbourne FC of today is a very different beast.

[Salems Lot 2,682]

40 minutes ago, Lord Travis said:

This was a good listen. We all know how rubbish the club was from 2007-2017 basically, but hearing Jack speak about it like this really rams it home. I reckon Jack copped it in the media etc more than any other player in the history of the sport, all because of his draft number that he had no choice about. The environment back then was not a good one for any player, but was particularly bad for youngsters.It must’ve been horrible to be drafted the club back then. Jones and Gawn (Dont forget Nev!) are basically the only players who made it through that era. Dozens of others didn’t make it, despite being talented. 

Jack was drafted as a 17 year older still doing year 12. He was a year younger than the rest of his draft class and the AFL changed the draft age rules as a result after he was drafted. Jack was obviously a supremely talented footballer and sportsman. You don’t go pick one in the draft when you’re a year younger than everyone else unless you’re a freak. I truly believe if he was drafted to a good club with strong leaders back then that he would’ve wound up a champion. Instead he wound up at the basket case of the era and was thrown to the wolves. People might still say he wouldn’t have made it due to personality, but fact is we drafted over 30 players throughout those years and less than 10% made it. The stats are damning on our player development and culture.

Interesting listening to him talk about Neeld as a coach. He really did set us back years and ruin lots of people’s careers and ties to the club. Jack, along with basically everyone, is clearly not a fan. 4:30am swim sessions at the beach in the freezing cold is not the way to instill discipline or inspire anyone, let alone a youngster you yell at on repeat.

Despite the horrible experiences he had, Jack still loves the red and blue and hopes we win the flag. Thanks for the memories Jack. The Queens Birthday sealer will live fondly in my memory forever.

 

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3 hours ago, Mickey said:

Not sure how much of that was development and a lack of leaders and how much is just his personality.

Agree - but we'll never know what he might have become had he landed at a stronger club with better leadership and development. Not excusing him, but it's clear that decisions and attitudes in the club at the time (e.g., moving on all the older players) around the Cameron Schwab era really set the club back. Those years in the wilderness weren't an accident.

[jnrmac 20,276]

4 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

When you're 8 years into the system with nearly 150 games in your career, maybe coming back to pre season in poor shape isn't exactly showing the right commitment to the team.

It was well known his application to training and off field standards was pretty poor. 

He was given ample of opportunities to change this.

 

Particularly after finally finishing in the top 5 at the B&F,  lamenting how it took him so long to get there and then promising to work harder.

He just didn't want it.

Its not a crime just a waste.

[Watson11 2,246]

3 hours ago, Mickey said:

Always loved Jack. But listening to this just reinforces why he never made it; clearly loved (and loves) the off field side of the game too much.

Not sure how much of that was development and a lack of leaders and how much is just his personality. But I get the feeling he loves being a lad too much to ever really get everything out of a his career

I agree. In 2013 our club got leaders who started to try and change the culture, and at that stage Max and Jack were 22 year olds who both enjoyed the off field stuff. But Max knuckled down and is now a 5 time all Australian, with probably 3-5 years left playing such is his dedication. Jack had 4 years in that system and just didn’t demonstrate he has it in him.

[ucanchoose 1,816]

Geez Mark Neeld was horrible wasn't he