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Got down to training for the first time this year for about 45 minutes. Hope to get down when the new guys start. Enjoy at https://six6six.smugmug.com/photos/swfpopup.mg?AlbumKey=Nn2HjG or Mobile https://six6six.smugmug.com/Training27112015/n-x72ZKW

It pizzes me off that we continue to tangle ourselves up in this BS. 1st with the doc and Trengoves foot. Then getting Goodwin. Now trading in Melksham. Essendon should've been treated like they have the plague.

Whispering Jack's travels in time continue ... A HIGHWAY OF DEMONS by Whispering Jack CHAPTER THIRTEEN - THE WEED AND I I was a young kid in school pants when I discovered my family had something in common with the family of champion Collingwood footballer, Murray Weideman - they both ran milk bars in Alphington, a working class suburb to the north of Melbourne. It was 1959. Murray was much older than me and already a local hero, having played in two Magpie premiership teams, including the infamous 1958 flag which destroyed Melbourne's hopes of making it six in a row from 1955 to 1960. His nickname was The Weed but because he was a pretty tough bastard, they also called him "The Enforcer". Later, he had a brief stint as a professional actor wrestler. By contrast, my most courageous act was to "dob" on a thief stealing snowballs from the confectionary section of the family business. Weideman must have been quite a lad with the women. He married a Miss Australia winner. I was more interested in comic books and stamp collecting than girls back then. Though we had little in common, the Weed and I were brought together in dramatic circumstances on one cold wintery evening. We were only a few decades and three or four miles away from Squizzy Taylor territory and it was still hard to make a quid in the inner northern industrial suburbs. This was a tough neighbourhood where petty crime and violence, often fueled by alcohol were rife. On occasion, opposition supporters were farewelled at the end of local sporting contests by angry mobs swinging axe handles in their direction as they ran to their vehicles only to discover missing hub caps and sometimes, even tyres. Naturally, there was illegal betting everywhere and although that was mainly on the horses or games of two up, football was also on the agenda. It seems that one particular gang had bet heavily on Hawthorn to beat Collingwood and wanted to influence the result by intimidating the participants. And who better to intimidate than the best player? One night a fusillade of shots rang out in the street, leaving several bullet holes in the front shop window of the Weideman family milk bar. By the following morning, the local constabulary had arrived at our nearby premises to ask questions. Did we know anything about the incident? I was terrified and thought my father was about to be arrested. I still can hear him repeating the words Sergeant Hans Shulz later made famous on television, "I hear nuttink, I see nuttink I know nuttink!" Of course, we were innocent of everything but the fact that we were the nearest opposition business and though the story was widely reported in the newspapers and the threats against Weideman continued (Collingwood even hired private detectives to tail him to games), the furore eventually died a natural death. The Weed was tough but he was far more than a hit man of the game. He stood only a tad over 6 feet and an inch (about 187cm), then a good height for a key backman or a centre half forward and he could really play; he won the Copeland Trophy for Collingwood's best and fairest player in 1957, 1961 and 1962. He often locked horns with Melbourne's hero Ron Barassi and it was always worth the cost of admission alone just to watch them in the contests. We got our revenge for '58 when we beat the Pies on a rainy Saturday afternoon in September, 1960 to record an 11th Melbourne premiership and in doing so, kept the old foe to a record low grand final score of 2.2.14. That evening, proudly serving in the store wearing my red and blue jumper with the famous Barassi number 31 on my back, I was euphoric enough not to mind the torrent of abuse coming from the disgruntled, toothless, drunken Magpie fans passing in as they made their way home to steal the odd snowball. By the time we repeated the dose four years later, Weideman had retired from VFL football and the family had sold the milk bar to a family of Richmond supporters so the humiliation of the black and white army prevailed in the area for at least another decade and more after that. His retirement came not before the Enforcer caused havoc in his final game for his team against Melbourne. It was Round 16, 1963 at the MCG and the Pies were out of the finals race while the Demons were in hot form and heading for their tenth finals series in a row. Despite its superiority over the old enemy (they won 19.15.129 to 10.8.68), the home team was reminded that there was no love lost from the soon to retire tough man of football. Players went down like nine pins and more likely than not the hulking figure of the Collingwood skipper was seen standing over limp, prostrate bodies. In a different time and a different place, those punches have made him champion of the world. Those who were bowled over that day included, in no particular order, Frank "Bluey" Adams, Kerry Rattray, Hassa Mann and Tony Anderson. It was a fitting swan song to Demonland given the torment he and his team suffered throughout his long, illustrious career. The Weed dabbled with mixed success in coaching, both in the country and interstate and he returned for an uneventful two years at the helm of Collingwood which sunk to its first ever VFL wooden spoon under his stewardship. The last defeat of that forgettable stint was a loss to Melbourne at Victoria Park. His son Mark, also played for the club but injuries curtailed that career and he came nowhere near the qualification requirement to bind the next generation of Weidemans to the Collingwood Football Club. The stands at Victoria Park are now silent and the surrounding suburbs are the playground of the gentry, no longer working class and more cafe society. Milk bars have been replaced by 7/11s and convenience stores operate out of petrol stations. The underworld has moved elsewhere and the enmity between Dees and Pies is almost in armistice mode. And while ghosts with shriveled black and white scarves might still wander through Grange Road, Alphington on windy nights, there's not a snowball's hope in hell that you could convince them that a young Weideman has emerged from leafy Vermont in Melbourne's eastern suburbs to become a Demon.

yep add Jack viney and Ollie Wines too.....oh wait fark can't believe i just did that (after deliberately not commenting in the wines boy since that fateful draft....)

Heard an interview with his manager, who didn't dismiss the claim. Just stated that Watts was a contracted player and wanted to stay at Melbourne. Clubs aren't stupid enough to openly say that they're shopping a player around. Their response is along the lines of "we'll be looking to improve our list, yadda, yadda, yadda." 18th in the B&F despite playing 20 games suggests that the coaching panel didn't rate his performance this season.

I think you are wrong on Oliver being drafted on upside. His run of form in the TAC wasn't just good it was excellent. He did more in half a season than most juniors, even highly rated ones do in 2 years. As for the second part that's an easy answer. He's an 18 year old country kid. The TAC system isn't designed to be like a junior tennis circuit full of young professionals. It's deliberately amateur to allow kids to stay at home and school, not travel long distances for training etc. That's why the northern academies have been so successful in a short time. Oliver wasn't in great shape because the majority of kids in the TAC aren't in great shape. They are just 16/17 year old kids kicking a footy. You do know Gus Brayshaw was a chubby kid as well right? The difference was his dad could independently set him up with Clarkson and the Hawks and get him a training program. Not to mention with an elite sporting background in his family he probably saw an AFL career as a goal not a dream. If Oliver's only been training hard for 6 months then so be it. We had Scully who was training hard for 6 years and all that meant was he was pretty much burnt out by the time he got to AFL.

It looks to me the trading of picks was all about getting Weideman and one of Parish or Oliver. Whether this was a successful strategy will be seen in the future but I like the look of Weideman and we definitely needed another good forward option.

The question about the possibility of sanctions against Melksham was asked of Jason Taylor at the club's recent pre draft function and the response was that the club had advice that the possibility of any major sanction was low. I don't know what source such advice came from but, after a long time in the law, I can say that I would never give that advice to anyone.

When did you get to set the rules stu? If I see players as: Awesome Great Average Below Average. Shirt Isnt that exactly the same as a A to E rating? Everyone is entitled to an opinion. You dont think our recruiting team rates players before a draft?

Jack Watts has had more than enough opportunities to prove his worth to Melbourne FC. Unfortunately due to our dismal situation this past decade he has been given games where, if he was in a stronger team those opportunities would not have been there. He is a soft footballer and I have NEVER seen that mongrel instinct that other players have and surely 2016 is his make or break year. I actually wish he was offloaded last year but he wasn't so I will support him, but I have zero confidence in him finding that desperation required to become the footballer many thought he would be.

Stuie i don't care what you think of me or my opinions. But the facts are in 7 years JW has not produced the standard required. He has 1 season left before a new contract is madeSo 2016 will make or break him. You call him a decent player. I don't think he has reached that level.

Watts is a C+ player ... sometimes B-. It's been that way for a few years now. Previously, we've had an abundance of D grade players so Watts was an obvious best 22 - then. Now, our list is on the verge of becoming much stronger so Jack will need to become at least B- consistently (or better) in order to be best 22. If he can somehow raise his game to B grade level then he'll be comfortably best 22. It's all in Jack's hands. Everyone has a different grading system but I see a B grade footballer as a player who plays well most weeks and rarely, if ever, gets dropped. A solid contributor who plays his role and can beat his opponent. B+ is very good or excellent and A grade is elite, a gun and a champion of the game. The A grade status is bandied around far too easily - A grade should be reserved for game breakers and genuine match-winners. The draft pick number he was picked at is now quite irrelevant.

Not really surprising, Luce. He's describing what's at stake for WADA in the appeal. That won't compromise the court's deliberations and it doesn't breach the secrecy of the proceedings.

Edwin’s Wi-Fi is terrible at the moment so bear with me for having this in rather late… Keen readers will have noticed that I was nervously awaiting the AFL Victoria announcement for the Community Media Awards last training report. It didn’t happen on Friday owing to an enormous amount of numbers, so I had to wait until Wednesday. But did I get one? Hell yeah I did. One of only two across the Northern Football League. Get around me. But as it is I only devote a little bit of time to myself and more so on the players who are actually training, and this is the first time I get to see the senior players in action after having to miss Monday’s session. At least, I hope that’s the case. A delay at Reservoir station means I’m not sure as I type when the hell I’m actually going to get there. 13 (!!!) minutes later, we’re off and going again, the train driver seemingly as sure as Mark Neeld’s assessment of training standards regarding what the hell was going on exactly. Anyway, regardless of whatever situation was the case, I’m there on time and just get there to see a whole heap of the boys applauding. Not sure why – maybe it was my presence. I wish. Regardless the boys head off for a quarter lap before doing some stretches. What I do notice is that rehab has increased markedly since last Friday, what with all the senior boys back. Jones is moving around really bloody well which is a positive coming off neck surgery, Terlich is in the rehab group, the big Spence train as well. At the moment I cbf’ed making my way over to see who else is in the rehab group, thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to sit in the shade on a quaint Melbourne November morning. Gus Brayshaw leaves early again after reporting early on. The warm-up, in the meantime, takes the boys to some weird and wonderful places. The boys run from the goalsquare to the wing… maybe perhaps a bit closer to the half-forward flank, with Dawes leading the way. Obviously he’s had the rocket up the ass from the drafting of Hulett and the other tall blokes (notice how they were going on about Hulett’s strong hands and his ability to play as a third tall?) and needs a big season. Viney is also up the front as he almost always is. Tyson and Garlett walk along the ground, not sure if there’s a serious intention for either of them to train, Tyson’s walking lap and Garlett sneaks off into the tent not to be seen again. Warm-ups carry on regardless, and I have absolutely NFI what the boys are doing. A sprint, sudden stop, turn back, jumping blind turn? Huh? Some blokes look graceful doing it (i.e the mids) and some blokes look atrociously clumsy (i.e Maxy). Next… after that the boys split into a couple of small groups. Nearest to me there’s a group with a two on one situation, where the two have to work out a way past the one which is defending and wearing a vest. The boys are getting through without too much difficulty but talk is non-existent. Mind you, whenever there’s the slightest sign of a feigned handball, the boys are up and about almost as if Steph Curry crossed over another bloke. Surest sign is when Jack Watts sells Goodwin some candy. Right, so the whistle goes and the boys rotate. Jack Viney gives a bit of candy out, and the bloke in the vest (can’t recognise who it is) is like “oh I didn’t want to hurt ya!” Righto… his ego takes a further blow when he is again sold candy not 20 seconds later. It’s also here that I get my first assessment of Jake Melksham. Skinny-looking bloke but by the looks of things good upper-body strength. Just think if he gets his disposal sorted he’ll be a handy pickup. The boys stop (for now) and it’s another chance to have a geeze and who’s doing what, especially in the rehab group. Bernie is taking (Max) King for a run, Spencer and Tyson bugger off early, Nate Jones is moving super well, he really is, and Terlich and Frost are running laps. Meantime Tom McDonald goes off to get his shoulder strapped, not sure what the prognosis is and whether he got a knock during the drill or it’s just your stock standard precaution, either way there’s a serious amount of tape on that left shoulder of his. The next drill is a handballing drill right in front of me, with a group of defenders trying to steal the footy off the team with possession. There is success in the second group where Salem reads the play beautifully and pinches it off White. In fact, White is pretty sloppy in this drill. Two handballs are intercepted, there’s a fumble when picking the ball up and his other handball misses the target. I’m backing the bloke to rebound as soon as he gets the chance. Interesting to note that the coaches are promoting “width” and “run and carry”. No doubt I don’t think anyone in the coaching staff want the panic handballs to set in like they always do. Anyway these quotes are mentioned about three or four times during this drill. On to the blokes who look in pretty good form at the moment. Grimes is having a good patch – thought he ended 2015 on a bright note which he can take into 2016 and he’s training accordingly at the moment. Came second in the time trial on Wednesday and has really settled in nicely and moving well. I still have a bit of a question mark on his decision-making but if he has a good season the Dees will be better for it. The boys have a break again, this time again I get a look at who’s doing what – BK’s running around, Bernie has seemingly not stopped running since training started and Hogan has been taking set shots into the wind. Dawes is doing some marking drills with Jade Rawlings – he still doesn’t look overly confident above his head, preferring the chest mark wherever he can. Again the boys split in two, up the far end it’s a tackling/strength drill of sorts, while the drill nearest to where I am being a pressure drill of kind. Watts is one of the defenders and he’s always the threat in these drills and accordingly he pinches one of the balls. I wish he was given the natural progression to AFL instead of being thrown in, killing his confidence. In the meantime, as I watch, it’s good to see Sam Weideman and Liam Hulett show up and have a look around – shades of Super Pav in not only Weed’s looks but his ultimate swaggaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa as well. I can’t wait for opposition defences to be sorted just before a game starts, then they see Hogan and Weideman swagger along like the Beastie Boys did in the Sabotage music video. A fun fact about Hulett – I covered the Young Guns game for AFL Vic and didn’t mention his name, nor did I mention Brayden Sier who also played. I dun goofed with that one. I do remember, though, that Hulett was playing in the backline for the victorious green team and didn’t get much of a look in due to their domination after quarter time. Next drill – basically it starts around the middle with a couple of defenders with a kick coming in to a forward before kicking a goal. This happens at both ends. Nothing special’s really going on to be honest. Hogan has an uncharacteristic miss – in fact he’s having a bad day in front of the sticks – and then as I get the idea of typing that he nonchalantly goes off one step and puts in right through the middle. Okay then. Next drill is a whole lot of randomness again – on one side, the near side, you have two blokes going up for a marking contest; in the middle, you have a contest where two blokes are going after a rolling footy, and up the far side it’s more like a kick to five blokes see who gets it kind of drill. Petracca walks by and (I think) gives the new draftees the thumbs up. I’m looking forward to seeing Trac talking to Weideman for the first time. I reckon you could almost SEE the swag. As I type this actually happens. Petracca comes up and gives Weideman the swaggiest greeting you’ll ever see - quite the serious handshake it was, almost like they from da hood, and almost as if they’ve known each other for a decade. I already like this setup. Now to see Hogan meet and greet Weed for the first time and my day would be complete. After what felt like about 20 minutes of approximately nothing to report the boys get back into it for a bit of a run. And it’s a running drill out of the box here. The boys – in two groups of vests, white and green, go runabouts in what is like a game of tag, where the blokes have to run about to a pole before the other bloke. Maxy Gawn’s having a bit of a laugh as he’s running – he is the banter king that’s for sure. Anyway, after that brief exercise the boys run three quarters of the oval in twos, for what scientific purpose instead of running the entire lap only Misso knows. After that the space-time continuum is broken again as only Misso manages to do with his concoction of which groups should be what when doing the running drills, with the boys splitting up between white and green and running in two groups. It’s good to see Dawes running up the front with regularity, with Tom McDonald sandwiched in the middle much like a Melbourne Cup favourite around the 1200m mark. Some more continuous running then, and Petracca starts the second “groups of two” run by completely ghosting Dawes along with Grimes, passing Dawes and then evidently using all his fast-twitch stocks to run out of gas towards the end of the three quarter lap. Mind you his acceleration of the blocks is pretty damn impressive. It’s also pretty interesting to see the difference between a stock standard AFL player and an athlete. While most are absolutely puffed out by their final group run, Tom McDonald is still roughly as silent as a Charlie Chaplin film. The boys then finish up. I hang around just to see Hulk and Weed meet for the first time and begin the highest profile pairing since Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams fo-shizzled their way through Drop It Like It’s Hot. Roosy, interestingly, brings together Bugg, Harmes, Kent, Hunt and Salem together for a chat, for what I don’t know because I’m not a good lip-reader. As I start to embark on the route to Edwin’s Petracca, Watts and Hogan all come up to a young lad, wheelchair bound, and sign his cast, hat and promise a tour around the club during their weights session. It’s a timely reminder of how good this club is to the young blokes and what a fantastic gesture. I also wish the young lad well for the future. A further note – it appears that the first part of training will be finishing up on the 18th of December and restarts (at this stage) on the 8th of January, by the looks of things it’ll be a week of training at Gosch’s before buggering off during the Aussie Open. ​

Yeah, its funny the way this has evolved, and its mostly due to the biased commentary from AFL media, and AFL accredited reporters. When this started, it was all over the place, that 2 drug users, meant a TEAM ban for 2 years, but because of the lies and distortions being peddled for the last 2 years, people are being conditioned to think that a small, or no ban for players only, is somehow acceptable. God I hope CAS dont fall for this. It was, if proven, drug cheating on a massive, and unprecedented scale, and the entire club should be banned from the sport, as per WADA rules. Good call biggestred. Seems I have been a victim of the media bias also.

maximum bans. but not only for the players. the club must burn for this. if 2 of them are guilty the whole club must be rubbed out for 2 seasons. 8 games and a bye? so be it.

And I generally do give a description of a player ... it's often just easier to grade players with a ranking in terms of list management. As a basic example - A "D" grader is often highly likely to be delisted at any time - especially at a top club. Terlich and M Jones are possibly in that area of grading so therefore, they are close to being delisted. But that's just my opinion. I certainly don't hate either player and I'm certain that both players are doing their best. Anyway, I'll stick to my grading system and if you don't like grading systems then fair enough. We can agree to disagree. Watts = C+ player (sometimes B-) Doesn't go hard enough at the ball or his opponents. Is an excellent kick and can create time for himself Doesn't get enough of the ball considering how well he can read the play When he does read the play well he can be damaging Doesn't block or shepherd enough or with enough intent. Tackles without real intent when he can be bothered tackling He's a good team player but at times he could/should be more selfish and take on his opponents. Doesn't stand up in big games Kicks well to position and often makes good decisions. Presents himself more than many others but doesn't lead to spots where he might get crunched Has no real animal instinct for the sport Can create good options for his teammates with his vision and disposal So, can you see why I've arrived at the C+ rating? He can improve on his strengths but his weaknesses are quite profound and needs a lot of work. He can improve but it's up to Jack. .

And this is exactly why i hold Vlad in such contempt. His warning of impending doom to Essendrug 36 hours before it all started was abhorrent to the game. Essendrug were always able to destroy evidence thus extending their time to shed guillty employees. Andrew Demitrio should also be grilled by CAS

The scum are hoping for a decision as soon as possible, so whatever ban they get is mostly used up in another off season. It would have been part of their plan all along. I'm hoping that the previous self imposed ban is ignored, as they continued to train as a group, and thumb their nose at ASADA/WADA. Full bans. 2 years, with no discounts. They are filthy scum, who have shown zero remorse, and bucket loads of contempt. The worst of the worst.

For the longevity of the game. I hope this proves to be the outcome. Maximum bans are the only way to clean up professional sport. Melksham & Goodwin should be nervous Essendon are cooked. The legal backlash to this could take them to the wall Where are you James??

The only knocks people can knit pick over, are that Oliver did not play in the nationals. But as you know, that can be easily explained by having OP and a limited preparation. So for Oliver to come out and dominate the TAC cup - to the point where he practically won the Morrish medal in half a year (off of a limited prep) - speaks for itself. Oliver picked himself, he was absolutely dominate, and if people weren't whinging about Oliver they'd be whinging about someone else. There was more risk around pick 7 IMO, but we need another tall. But in saying that I'd understand people knocking that selection, it really will be one that is a wait and see for quite a few years.

From what we understand this years draft was shallow where the quality was in the top ten players. We got two of those quality picks - the second best mid and a tall forward who Sanderson argued could have gone number if he played all year - and both those picks are exactly what we need. Also our extra pick from this year will have had 12 months development over the player we would have got first round next year. Next years the draft is supposedly meant to run much deeper so we will still have access to quality at our second pick. We could not have played this better

I would actually pick Sam Powell-Pepper as the best from WA over Petrevski-Seton, both should go first round and whilst Petrevski Seton has a better highlights package I think Powell-Pepper has the better all round game. Powell-Pepper has the better size for the next level although season 2016 should see Petrevski-Seton getting greater exposure at senior level after the U/18 championships. Petrevski-Seton is a Claremont player and was given a few games this season and performed well. Powell-Pepper unfortunately is in the East Perth zone so due to alignment will play second fiddle to the Meth Coast players. A couple of other WA bys who I like for next years draft are Josh Rotham really good young defender with some good positional sense and a good attack on the ball. Is a key position defender but at the next level may be a third tall defensive option. Jeremy Goddard is another from the Claremont zone and another Marist boy like our own Hulk. Goddard is a ruckman who will need to work on his influence away from the centre bounces and that will keep me interested in his performance throughout next season

no they wont Red. what co-operation...they stalled ..were party to the proceeding that stalled...Only when CORNERED have they done ANYTHING. Only time served is voluntary suspension of about 4-half months...thats all they get off.

Interesting in that this points to this case being somewhat of a test case and that WADA feel the way the AFL dealt with it didn't line up with any precedent set. Sounds like WADA went in and said here is a precedent under which the players are done, it is up to you CAS to decide if the precedent is right or if it needs changing because to find them not guilty then you are changing the precedent. Can't see CAS doing that. I think the players will get around 12 months on the sidelines and that is due to the AFL. Their ban would be two years of it were not for the AFL training that said the players need to check with the club, not ASADA. The players checked with the club as they were instructed wrongly to do by the AFL, that gives them the no reasonable negligence to me.

Minor suggestion : is it worth updating the ages so that they show the age when the player comes out of contact? Advantage to this will be that they get changed once and you won't need to update then during the year etc. I find that ages a bit confusing.

Correct. A club would trust the AFL more than EFC. But would a club really believe the AFL had inside knowledge on the penalties sufficient to take a tainted player with no concerns. I think not. I think it is far more likely that the AFL has offered some sort of compensation to any club brave enough to spread the pain from EFC in 2016. The AFL must have a plan how to run EFC in 2016 if a swathe of players are rubbed out. Maybe it would be a variant of that.

Viv was only delisted because of the contract situation. M. Jones and Terlich would have been gone if they didn't have an extra year.

If he doesn't cut it, no one will have bragging rights; as if he loses out, then we all do, as well... or it should be this way. I hope he comes good & digs deep to find that, he lacks.

If Melksham gets 2 whoever ticked off the deal should go. Disgraceful decision.

Chuck him in the locker next to Tom McDonald and let him be mentored on his fitness and professionalism. They'll be more good numbers available by the time he's ready to play consistently!

My sources tell me that it is Welsh and this is how it is pronounced. Just click below http://llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.co.uk/soundfiles/llandad4.wav

Wattsy is OOC and up against it to hold his spot in the 22 in some pretty exciting times, 2016 is as simple as jack watts answering the question of how badly he wants to be part of it, is he willing to fight for it.

The 24th pick in the Rookie Draft? We 'wasted' the 24th pick in the rookie draft? How does one waste nothing?

I was super impressed with the way Harmes finished 2015, i reckon a solid pre season and he should be right in the mix for round 1.

"My, you look handsome today Jack""Why thank you Dom. You're pretty buff too" Jack and Dom complimenting each other.

Spoke to a mate in recruiting. His opinion: Oliver Wouldn't have made it past 5 Will likely be an exceptional talent (better than Wines) The dees will have an amazing inside midfield in the next few years. Weideman needs time to get his body right. King and to a lesser extent Huwlet - Speculative Wagner, skilled but slow

Well I listened to the views as expressed and I feel I need to support Jack Watts for the following reasons 1 He rarely wastes a disposal 2 He rarely misses a goal 3 He is the best link man we have got 4 He selflessly dropped himself when he felt not up to scratch ( and in the cut throat world pf professional sport I see this as actually displaying leadership)! 5 He is blessed with the one attribute not many of any of our players have! Time!! A shimmy here a twist there, this makes him pretty unique. FWIW I will say that Jack will be a revelation this year and play really well. You know if he played at Hawthorn or Freo of one of the other top sides he would be an absolute world beater!! Answer me this ..would Bruest be as sensational a player if he played with us?? Nar, I reckon Jack Watts will surprise many, maybe even himself! Go Jack Go Dees!

Vandenberg loves a crunching tackle .. hurt quite a few opposition players in his first season

The race for the wild card spots in the NFC is well and truly on. I still think Green Bay or Vikes have one sewn up. Seattle have a reasonable run home... As for the Falcons, huge game vs Vikes this week the loser puts themselves behind the 8 ball.. My pre season prediction of the colts for the SB now look a bit off!'

I believe there was zero interest from other clubs, so he'll get the opportunity to present his case in the final year of his contract. I'm not sure where you live, but on radio I heard Mahoney asked about Watts on numerous occasions and the answer was always the same, "no other club has enquired about Jack". It's pretty obvious where Watts stands in the broader football community. I'm genuinely astounded after all these years that there are still supporters that think he presents value to a football team. We've been crud for years and Watts' presence hasn't made an ounce of difference. And don't give me this crap that he'd be good in a better team like so many kid themselves. He doesn't make the grade in a good team. He'd be shown up even more.

Seattle have been the biggest disappointment ... they should have come out all guns blazing after blowing a SB winning chance. Just proves once again that you've got to take your chances when those chances present themselves - unless of course they get on a run and contend again. At 5 & 5 they've got some catching up to do - that's entirely possible with their run home but they still have to get it done. They may luck-out in week 17 if Arizona have nothing to play for (I'd expect the Cardinals to secure the 2 seed - they could clinch that 2 seed in week 16 at home against Green Bay) Detroit are the other big disappointment amongst other teams. Packers at 7 & 4 is about 1 win less than my expectations - however, losing 4 of 5 with a multiple MVP winning QB is unacceptable. If it becomes 5 of 6 the fans may riot Gorgo is rightfully disappointed with his Rams whilst the 49ers fans on this thread must be quite annoyed. Atlanta promise a lot and then falls away - they can get back on track but it needs to happen now. There's some really good stories too with the Panthers, Cinci, Vikes & Arizona. My smoky team to get "hot" at the right time are the Steelers ... the Giants with Eli could cause a bit of damage too (if, as expected, they now win their division)

It will work against him. Do you think with a heap more talent around him, that his third rate attack on the contest will go unnoticed by the coaching staff? There are no trees on the MCG.......He has been seen for what he is, and its game over.

the club/fans have moved on from him. Too many years, and too many other young hopefuls in. He is no longer a focus anymore. This will either work for/against Jack. no excuses now.

I think we will have our answer as early as round 1. Watts isnt about to change. Everyone can forget it He is not a competitor, and he just wont use his supposed blistering pace to burn someone off, and take the game on. Whenever he has opposition company, he off loads as soon as he can, to avoid contact. Not good enough, and its ingrained. If he is fit, and doesnt play rd1, ProDee can sit back and relax, and enjoy his safe bet.