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Given this appalling post, all I can say is that I am glad that in this country, we have the legal system we do. If we allowed this populist claptrap to prevail, we would have vigilantes walking our streets. Of course, high horses have a habit of crumbling beneath their liege.

Some unjustified criticism of Jimmy Toumpas on here. Last week he was on his way to promotion to the AFL when a knock incurred relatively early in the game put him out for the day. I know that if you're picked to play there are no excuses but I think that its rare that a player stars the week after such a knock and I think the club was expecting not much more from him but to get a few kicks and get through the game which is exactly what he did.

I agree with everything EXCEPT that we get more than our fair share. Looking at injury lists since the beginning of the season we are better than some and worse than others. I think the big difference is that our talent pool is so thin we cannot afford to have anyone who is half decent out injured.

I really believe we should just leave this alone. There is nothing that can be said here that will change/help this sad situation. Leave it be. Close the thread.

The guy obviously has some serious issues and in this case, I hope he gets what he deserves. However jibes such as 'what a pathetic loser' aren't really required, especially considering Liam's circumstances, which we can't even begin to imagine. You just can't refrain, can you h_h?

For probably the first time in Jack Watts' career, he is receiving some leadership from the senior coach. He is the most talented player at the club and it is in all of our interests for Roos to be given the time to find the key to unlock his potential. Great leaders (as against great managers) often display the flexibility needed to get the best out of a group of individuals. Ultimately, Jack Watts will decide if he loves football and the club enough to realize his potential but, until he does, cut him some slack. We quickly forget that this is his first extended shot at playing midfield and all the feedback from teammates & coaches is that he's worked his arse off to try and make it a success. None of us know what instructions he's been given and, at the end of the day, the coaching team will make the call. Just remember how happy most of us were when he re-signed this year. At least recognize & acknowledge his loyalty to the club when others are playing hard to get.

Wow, maybe you would like to post about Barry being unable to play in cold conditions while you are running at this peak in your Land career.

Being buggered senseless makes a man of you!!

no...no he didn't

Mind you, maybe the lack of enthusiasm for JKH's first AFL H&A goal, was due to him kicking bags of heavily celebrated goals in NAB Challenge matches..? A lot of players got to him after his goals against Richmond. Fair to say they may have forgotten he hadn't kicked a regular season goal, and considering the state of the match at that time, enthusiasm for a conciliatory goal wasn't high at the time. Sorry to present a balanced and differing point of view. I know how much angst that can cause on here.

Agreed. It's all been said and it's certainly no longer a footy topic, so it's now just presenting opportunity for potshots. Close thread.

lol "Jurrah, Watts, Wonna, now there's a forward line the rest of the competition would [censored] their pants over." "Clarke, Jurrah, Watts, now there's a forward line the rest of the competition would [censored] their pants over." "Dawes, Clark, Howe, Hogan, now there's a forward line the rest of the competition would [censored] their pants over." "Patton, Dawes, Hogen, now there's a...." *head, desk*

I found it interesting last night when Paul said he has had some of the players in his office and he was just about to give them a spray but he opened the conversation up with (something along the lines of) whats going on in your life, is everything ok? To then find out that all was not well and both he and bomber said there is often more going on than just a lack of confidence or simply the player being out of form. He also said we (as coaches) have 45 men on our list therefore leading to many differing personal problems that arise and can surface at the most awkward of times.

Of course he sees what we see. But it is just possible that Roos, close to the player, a top-notch coach and not a mere spectator/keyboard warrior, see something more. So I'll rely on his judgement. When Roos throws in the towel on him so will I.

Some peanut has played the game and sport at professional level knowing a little bit about injury management and rehab, knows family and friends of Hogan, you have tunnel vision and don't realise we are no different in this respect to any club Please go and do your homework on Richmonds management of Richo's lisfranc injury Geelong with Hawkins back Brisbane with Brown's knee Essendon with Hirds issues with his feet in the late 90's Meth Coast with Natanui's groin issues over the last 2 seasons Freo with Sandilands turf toe and it's recurrence Port managing Hartlett through his early years Reiwoldts management early on after going pick 1

Not properly- there is still an heir of confidence that needs crushing.

Oh dear.....

It wasn't complex. Much like your good self. Give the [censored] act a rest, fella. Ben Hur did it first, and he at least made it entertaining.

hawkins was also rated as one of the best prospects of his year, he just wasn't available to anyone. pretty sure the cats got him for a third round pick under the old rules? what a dream run they've had with father-sons.

Did they love him when he was 23? He had been tar brushed as a soft outside player who doesn't get enough footy and the footy he did get was off half back from sideways kicks. It took a while for this to leave the general football consciousness to the point where you have no idea what I am talking about but I remember it. And it is a lesson that all that is does not have to be the same way for eternity.

He was also in our best against st kilda, was good against richmond in the preseason and good in the carlton game, so he has been far from our worse player this year. I think howe has been more disappointing, but we focus on watts because he is Watts. He didnt choose himself to be number one pick.

Pavlov could have a field day with MFC supporters and conditioned responses ;-)

Wow.

Because he looks like Salem or because he wore number 3? They should have got Clint Bizzell to present it!

People defending Jordie and Jack normally wait until Wednesday for the heat to cool off.

You mean like JKH's first career goal vs West Coast? Clearly the players had a stern talking to by the coaching group after that disgusting oversight. Remnants of the shithouse culture we've had for years.

I'll back Paul Roos and the match committee on this. In the meantime, keep flogging the anti Watts line - it's not as though it's been done to death. Please enlighten me though - given that you think Watts should be dropped, please explain to me each of Watts' roles on the weekend and where and why he failed in each role? Cop a tip - simply saying he lacked intensity is convenient, but ultimately not especially illuminating.

They talked about Watts on SEN this morning and Plough Wallace's thoughts were that the best option was for Roos to give Watts 4 to 6 weeks playing on the wing where he trained to be all season and see what he has to offer the team and tell him that is what you are doing. That is you have 4 to 6 weeks to demonstrate your worth. This seems a reasonable approach because the club has tried him in many rolls to try to identify his niche position. Most players are happy and willing to play the role they are assigned to. This approach gives Jack some certainty of his near future and a sense of urgency that he needs to start to perform and a level of accountability as long as Roosey's expectations are made clear. Those expectations may be as simple as minimum tackle counts, pressure acts, defensive acts etc, all the stuff that anyone who is committed to the cause could do. All the things we don't see Jack do. I would also have a sports psychologist working with him, some of those dropped marks under no pressure and handballs backward to anyone else remind me of someone who is not focused on the job at hand, devoid of confidence, thinking negatively about what could I stuff up next.

"Roos isnt coming to the MFC, and I dont care one bit" - Hogans_Heroes July 30th, 2013. Every time ?

can take 93.75 points reprimand good news thought franklin should've been cited for staging....notice how he bounced up when whistle didn't go

what a stupid bloody post this is

Jonathan Patton is only in his 3rd year, has already missed a year with an ACL but I'd still take him over Watts right now. David Swallow is in his 4th year and id take him ahead of our whole midfield right now. Watts is in his 6th year and he still gets babied like it is his second. If he aint gonna have a crack now when will he?

I saw enough in that quarter to suggest that he holds a large amount of promise. Strong one grab hands, a couple of very good flat kicks culminating from right decisions, a willingness to take responsibilty, some ball attracting ability and a strong body that is hard to knock. Was not overawed in the slightest and looked like he belonged. Yes you can see all that in a quarter. Vigilantly excited.

I would agree. But it goes back longer than 2008/9. Way longer.

Could be why you were touted as a top 10 pick but slipped down to pick 124

Mum!!! I found that hubris you've been looking for!!!

James Frawley will be a one club player like his uncle Hes going nowhere

Can we have the word "elite" censored on here?

I mentioned this a couple a days ago - there are those that thought Neeld was so inept that he was the reason for us being where we were. And they, and you, are coming to the realisation that it wasn't just Neeld failings that sent us to where we currently dwell. Our list needs work, our best players need help, our forward line was, and still is to lesser extent, in massive trouble only a few weeks ago. And his wage has nothing to do with how quickly he can turn us around - only how well and lasting the turnaround will be. He got Cross and Vince and had a few months with the group in Pre-season - I don't see that as sufficient to get us to where you think we should be.

Lack of confidence doesn't stop you putting up your arms when you're the man on the mark. Couldn't believe I was seeing that from a professional footballer. Just stood there with his arms down then jogged away after the kick with his head down. At least 3 times that happened.

Guys i think half the problem here is a list that is so lacking in depth. It means out of form or NQR players, like Watts, aren't replaced by obvious talent/effort players at Casey who are pushing up. I think if that were the case we wouldn't be too worried. I realise Watts is a No.1 draftee but in a club with a much deeper list, he would be just another young developing player who may or may not make it down at Casey level over the next year or so and just maybe push his way into a very solid senior team (pushing a very good player out IF he shows super promise rather than just "ok" form). Part of the problem lies in our history of poor recruiting/development so far. If we fix this we solve the issue of players continuing to get a guernsey when they clearly aren't up to it yet or are in poor form. This applies to Watts or anyone who isn't a proven senior AFL level player already with years of experience/quality results and/or a champion of the club. With regard to Watt's effort on the weekend in particular, if Roosy TRULY believes that was acceptable and he deserves a follow up game, then Mr Roos i hate to say it, but we are on a very fast train to nowhere.

Nice sexism.

lol.. In that 5 minutes, he out played Watts and Howe...But i do get your point... Hopefully there isn't to much hope/pressure placed on his shoulders... He looks the part, but its early days... id drop Watts over Pedersen... At least pedo is showing desire...

Nobody has called him the saviour We are just excited by his debut and rightly so

The funny thing was, the crowd was almost being sarcastic. I think most Melbourne supporters knew it wasn't holding the ball, but we were all yelling it with a tinge of "well if you paid the one before...".

6 years of chances? Different positions aren't the problem, it's his intensity that is the problem. Intensity, attack on the football, pressure, tackling etc. are non-negotiables in every position on the ground!

He should be offered a pay rise instead

No offence but I think you'd struggle to find one person who'd agree with dropping Dawes for Fitz.Dawesy is one of the first blokes I am picking atm and I'm pretty sure Roos would feel the same. The delivery into the forward line on the weekend was poor, to say the least. Half the time it was around his knees.

Let's temper our enthusiasm.....he's played for 5 minutes. We're so desperate for a shining knight that anyone who kicks straight and looks the goods is the messiah. PS. I loved the way he moved.