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Where's that defender now when we need him most?

I have a family friend who is close to him and his family and he has already re-signed. I gave her a grilling about it but she didn't know about the length or anything. He loves Melbourne and was never going to leave.

Had my little nephews photo taken with him at training before the Adelaide game.. He told my nephew if he came to the game, he would kick a goal for him.. When he snapped the one around the corner from 40 out, my little nephew told me that Jack had kept his word... His level of interaction with kids is amazing and most of them leave wanting to get the number 4 on their back.

When you owe the bank $30,000 it is your problem. When you owe the bank $300,000,000 it is the banks' problem.

Jack, the poor bastard has had to endure more ridicule and derision than anyone in the history of the game for not being able to be that No.1 pick and saviour he was supposed to be. Through all that he has remained loyal to the MFC when nearly all others would have left. He is Melbourne to his core and I am very happy he will remain with us for the good times.

He's the greatest player of all time.

Unlikely to leave WA unless he can bring his hairdresser and I don't think Priddis will allow that to happen.

*wipes coffee off screen*

Found it - almost 6 years to the day...

I recall how much the Melbourne Footy Club and Jack Watts copped in the early days when Natanui first started. I would be so stoked if Watts ended up a premiership player and Natainui won nothing.....

I could get use to players wanting to be traded to us.

A Jewish saying. "Bankrupcy is when you put your money in your trouser pockets and give your coat to the creditors."

why do i get the feeling his lifestyle won't change one iota?

I guess that means we don't get the last $300k.

Imagine the feeling of knowing you owe people and businesses that kind of money. Sheesh. I get edgy when I owe someone $5 bucks and it's taken me a day to pay them back.

[censored] comment. He is improving week to week. Replacement for him would either be Dunn, who was disgraceful last time against St.Kilda, or Garland, who definitely hasn't set the world on fire this year.

Have people gone mad...Mayne is past it. He plays Watts position and with Hullett and Weideman waiting at Casey I think we are well covered. ...and since when is Barlow a defender??? There is no trade bait here at all, only need to check the byline to understand that.

Jack is repaying the faith that MFC has had in him. A loyal young man. 100% character.

Dazzle: The article says that we are feeling more confident of landing him. They reckon the Bombers want a first rounder, but the one we have in play for the following season is off limits. Our second rounder won't get it done. Likely to be a stand off, and while he can do it, it's highly unlikely that he goes to the grievance tribunal to get to us as a delisted free agent. Sources at the Bombers believe Hibberd is, at best, a 50/50 chance to stay at Essendon and is increasingly likely to want to come to Melbourne to reunite with Goodwin. It's nothing new really, just that it seems more likely than not that he will request a trade to us at the end of the season.

I had a good chat to Jack about this, it is a bit of everything, he is only expected to play his role now, not be a saviour, the skills of the whole team have improved and he can expect a ball to land in his lap now more often than not, instead of over his head or to his side, his teamates are also reading his game a lot better and know where to run to get a good pass or handball from him, he also knows to follow the mantra espoused by Roos, you have to be rounded, ie attack and defend, you play your role, you stay in the team

I know I should leave this alone but something just doesn't sit right with me when people make these sort of comments. It's like the bully in the school yard who picks a fight, loses and then wants to be friends. WGO I have no problem with critique. What I hate is "gave the kid hell". You've recognized you were wrong in your judgement (as we've all been on issues) and I just hope next time a player disappoints you you'll stick to critique and refrain from "giving them hell". You'll have lots of opportunity to practice the skill - as we all will. But that's just me. Credit to you for honestly stating your position. BTW, friggin fantastic that he's found his way and looks set for a meaningful second half of his career with us.

who honour your leads!

MELBOURNE V FREMANTLE 9 Jack Watts (Melb)7 Max Gawn (Melb)7 Jesse Hogan (Melb)5 Jack Viney (Melb)2 Tom McDonald (Melb)

As others have said, clearly we need to be able to apply a great deal more pressure in our forward half. We need to be able to hold them up when they win the ball in our forward 50. It'll make all the difference as to how our defenders setup. Do that and shut Steven and Roo out of the game and we win. We'll easily win enough midfield ball and their defence is truly awful. We should be breathing fire for this game. They've owned us for far far too long.

He's very mentally tough individual. To have copped all the pressure and negativity hurled at him since he was thrown to the wolves in his debut through until now shows the character and toughness he has. I can't recall anyone in football having as much crap thrown at them as Watts has endured. Now he can finally flip off all the haters and stand tall as a quality player. Will be happy when the news is official, but for now I'm just wrapt for him as a person to be producing the quality he was always capable of. Good onya Jack!

Reading some of these comments, it seems individual bias has taken away from what was a pretty good game from Grimes. To come in for your first game of the season (pretty late in the season too) and be the second leading disposal getter for your side is rather impressive. Its easy to say he won't be on the list etc. In reality, if Jack is doing what needs to be done, improving in areas coaches have asked him, then theres every chance he stays on the list. Look at how Neville Jetta took his chance. In no way am I saying he will do the exact same as Jetta. But it shows what good coaching and a chance to players who deserve it can really do. As a Melbourne fan, I'm ecstatic at how Grimes has responded. From his attitude to playing VFL all year, to finally getting his chance. He never once threw it in. Grimes worked tirelessly all season and as a former captain of the club, Id imagine it would be hard to be told that if he's to play in this new era side, his game needs to change. Previous regimes wouldn't have taken that on board and got up and left (Ie Moloney etc). Which is the easy way out. With this attitude, it wouldn't be unreasonable to suggest that as he wants to put in the work, he very may end up a best 22 player. Again, I use the Jetta example. Grimes became captain of this club (Peer voted) for a reason. Its safe to believe those reasons are his (Positive) attitude and leadership. Grimes has a long way to go, but if were judging on his output and where that puts his career trajectory, I think its breaking even and soon turning on the ascent.

Well done Jack. Talk about perseverance... not just his but us as supporters...lol . Hes playing well and kudos to the man. Something else has changed... might just be me but it seems others are NOW prepared to kick it to him which brings him more into the play. His contested marks using his body have vaulted to a new level of game this year. Look forward to him playing out with the Dees. I still think he has more to offer onya #4

Lets not get too carried away. Dangerfield is currently the best player in the competition and Hunt has played a handful of games. That speed is breathtaking and his courage and dare are great to see, but lets not put too much expectation on the kids shoulders just yet.

Pretty sure that Jack would've done better than NicNat's 4 disposal, 0 marks 2015 GF performance.

Will end up as one of the Melbourne greats. Whilst loyalty is rarer than ever these days, it's far more precious. We're developing a team who love playing for each other, and dare I say it, the jumper too! Well done Jack, Roosy, Simon Goodwin, PJ, Josh Mahoney, Brendan McCartney and the whole team.

Will do a 'Brendan Goddard' and be one of the best players in the comp over the next few years. People will quickly forget that he has maligned for many years. Have always had a soft spot of Jack, and he's playing great footy this year. Thanks Paul Roos!

How's the view from that horse Stu? If posters wish to discuss a football related article in a football forum then they can. If you don't like it, take your horse and [censored] off. I think one of the best decisions we made in recent times was to get rid of Clark. He appears to be a lot of work.

I was actually very graceful and dignified in victory, you would have been quite impressed. I kept my celebration low key, similar to below. Confetti, tux, lighting and all. I even paid for some extras to come in and clap me on. On departure from work, I drove down the Main Street of Fremantle with my scarf out the window, the club song playing and verbally abused anyone I could.

Jack Watts to sign soon.

Melbourne supporters do owe old Joe and Don Scott some fair gratitude. Without these two guys, we'd all be following the Dorks or some other gastly almalgimation, not sitting on the cusp of a resurgent, competitive Demons team. At the time I was actually pro-merger because I was so desperate for that success, but in retrospect I think I'd rather the club go bankrupt and team be forcefully relocated to the Gold Coast or Tasmania or something similar to Fitzroy than merge with any other existing team. My view is that at the very least old Joe deserves some dignity and respect from Melbourne supporters from what he did and tried to do for the club. I don't recall the politics which resulted in his departure from the presidency, but I think at his core he's one of us - a die hard, heart beats true for the red and blue type of guy.

"Banned Essendon defender Michael Hibberd is likely to request a trade to Melbourne." http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/essendon/banned-essendon-defender-michael-hibberd-is-likely-to-request-a-trade-to-melbourne/news-story/a69d39bbbdccf72a878bb774d59694bd

Surely both Richmond bound?

AFL.com Team of the week

Their good side will turn up, have no doubt about it. They're at home, and will see this game as very winnable.

Forward pressure would be the first place I would start.... Last time they ran the ball out of our forward line way too easily and opened us up. Get that right and the rest will take care of itself.

Run and spread has killed us against teams we should've beaten. St Kilda, Essendon, etc. My fear is bringing in contested mids not noted for speed and then being overrun yet again with Roo running around 40m clear of any opponent.

Wanted him gone for whatever we could get a couple of years ago. Thought he was talented, but a talented bust that we'd probably ruined. I am so happy to eat humble pie. So very happy. When the ball is in his hands I know that he will find the best option or kick the goal, he goes in when it is his turn, and players look for him when he calls for it. He is going to be the icing on the cake over the next couple of years. (oh and PS... to that drunk Collingwood 'supporter' that kept yelling out that Watts was the worst #1 pick ever until I kept yelling Josh Fraser back at him. Yeah, mate, Josh still owns the crown)

I think it's as simple as he's finally grown into his body. Has a much stronger core now, and much stronger in the contest.

I love Jack's loyalty. I hope its rewarded with a drink from a Premiership Cup.

Geez, hard to please bunch in here. It was an excellent return and gets a well deserved 100th next week. He has the chance to cement a spot in the side for the rest of the year, and that would likely lead to a contract extension. I, for one, will be in his corner hoping he can get it done.

Look through this thread and many many many posters had Grimes delisted and moved on (with no future AFL opportunity). Jack is a very talented footballer and has worked to improve his playing style. His tackling and marking are of a very high standard. His character is unquestionable. His skills have improved and are better than many others in the team. I think there is a spot in our best 22 for Jack Grimes for this year and beyond.

Was this before or after touring Collingwood's facilities?

To be fair Stuie, dazzle merely posted the article. He neither backed it up, nor did he get stuck in to Clark. It's no different to reporting on trade rumours and, going by the article, it seems this in fact did occur. While it's been sorted out it does show that Clark is still a rather ordinary bloke who is doing himself no favours in trying to earn another contract.

Reiwoldt, Montagna, Steven will be the top 3 players for them. Write it down. Hey, maybe we should try to take them out of the game? What a radical idea.

With 7 rounds left, four Demons (Hogan, Watts, Kent, Garlett) have already kicked 20+ goals, first time since 2011 (Jurrah, Green, Sylvia, Watts) thats happened. If Kent and Garlett can get to 30, it will be the first time since 2006 (Robbo, Davey, Yze, Neitz) Melbourne has four players kick 30+ goals in the same season.