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The club has someone else in their sights big time. Not Lever, that deal is done. I'll let you know if I can find out more

I found it hard to understand the public statements thus far but now its clear, it was the last gasp. Goodwin has made his expectations clear, left the door open. Watts has thought about it and wants to stay which means he knows what is expected. I for one would like to see him realise his potential after all this time (part of which the club can bear some responsibility for) and it wouldn't surprise me if he has spoken to Roos (or some other confidante) who told him changing clubs is not the answer either way he has to change his desire to be the best. Frankly I think he is worth more to the club than a 30 pick but only if he is meeting our expectations.

My thoughts on this have been that if he were happy with the idea of having an opportunity at another club then let’s make it happen. But hearing him come out and say he wants to be a Demon it makes it simple for me. Don’t trade him. I know this may be letting emotions get in the way but sport is an emotional caper. He has been through some of the worst times the club has ever faced and he has born the brunt of a lot of criticism directed at the club, very unfairly. Of course he would feel upset about the idea of us moving him on just as we start to push up the ladder. Putting all that aside though, one of our biggest deficiencies, which got worse during his injury run and failure to recapture his form, is disposal into the forward 50. He is the best at the club for that. He has also proved to be a cool head at clutch moments. We trade him for a 2nd rounder then I feel we’re losing at the trade table and it wouldn’t be for the first time with an established player. I mean have a look at our history of trading out players, Gysberts for Pederson is the only one I can think of that has worked for us and even that was pretty iffy for a while. I say Watts and Goodwin sit down, Watts says “I’m committed, I want to be here next year”. Goodwin tells him exactly what is expected of him over pre-season and next year and we move on. I think this has been a poor move by the club, even more poorly executed.

Still got it. ?

Adelaide List Manager Brett Burton on Trade Radio confirmed Melbourne has been nominated by Lever

I can confirm Lever will nominate Melbourne FC. #ETthetradebreaker.

There is a little more going on that has almost forced Goodwill to make public comments so to off load Watts. As a contracted player Watts cant be traded without his approval. Watts has made an unprecedented pitch to the club to stay. It started with a PR news story when he was first told to find a new club. His campaign to stay has now involved his manager, all senior coaches, he has looked for support form the administration, the Board and now the media and general public. This has not gone down well with Goodwin and created a problem for him, these tactics are unprecedented. Usually when players are told they are not wanted they cant find a new home fast enough. I don't like Watts chances of staying but he is going all out. He is going down fighting. This may be the wake up he requires. Its going to be an interesting few weeks.

Lever will play for Melnourne next year...guaranteed. This is pre trade posturing by the Crows and the media. It happens every year. Lever has chosen his club, its over

Whether he stays or goes, is walked or pushed, this should not be playing-out in the public domain like this. Under Roos and PJ we ran a very tight ship in the off season. The disputes that leaked out at the start of the year and now the possible trading of Watts are issues that should be dealt with in-house and not through individuals communicating with each other through the media.

The thing is, if he digs his heels in again over lever and forces him into the draft, they’d be passing up a good deal no reason. Sorry brett but if danger is worth 9 and 28 10 and 27 is more than fair for lever. You set the bar.

I want Jack to stay and have said it many times over 9 years. However some of the crap being written on here is just stunning. The FD run the FD so let THEM do their job. They know the players better than anyone on DL. We all trust PJ and he is not intervening. If they are wrong so be it.

It is telling that the club has put on the mfc website the AFL article where Goodwin puts the trade Jack story http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-10-02/-watts-cycle-hasnt-changed-goodwin Note: the issue is no longer about 'failing expectations' it is about 'being in a rut'. But it has not put up this AFL article where Jack states his love for the club: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-10-03/i-love-the-club-watts-not-keen-to-leave Articles usually go up on club websites within a few hours of the AFL issuing them eg The Lever story is on the mfc website so there is no reason why the Jack story isn't there. I'm not liking how our club is handling this. If they put up one side of the story they should put up the other. It seems the club is reluctant to do that. I think supporters should be provided access to Jack's position whether the club likes it or not.

Brilliant. Loved it when he said If a deal doesn’t get done I will prob go in the draft. Take it or leave it Adelaide.

Just the facts no 1 pick 2008 draft. 153 games. 9 years. Two years left on contract. 196cm Tall forward. Agile. Skilled. Can play forward, ruck relief or rotate back. Loves MFC. 5th in 2016 best & fairest 2017 - preseason accused of not working hard enough - plays 13 games. Included in best players in 7 matches (afl.com.au) - injured hamstring & missed 3 games - comes back, losses form and gets dropped - comes back and one of the best in a very poor final game loss - coach says ‘go explore your options elsewhere’ (aka you are not required) - Watts reinforces wants to be at MFC and see success I am blown away by the disrespect of the club to Jack. This is so divisive to supporters and players.

Mainly due to BT saying very little, thankfully

Geelong gave up picks 9 and 28 for Dangerfield. Coughing up 10 and 27 would be a slap in the face for our clubs negotiation skills. Lever may be a decent player...but he is nowhere near a Patrick Dangerfield!

If it's the 750k rumoured, our young blokes need to suck it up, and play their asses off to justify the comparison at their next contract. If we are losing games for a finals spot against a garbage side decimated by injury, we clearly do not have lots of players worth more than 750k in it. I'm excited by the potential of many of our youngsters, but it remains Potential, not realised. Only the loss of Oliver would make me weep, as I believe he is a generational talent. Everyone knows you pay more for external talent when you are at our level. Everyone. Our footy department has decided we are entering a premiership window, and as such we can put the medium term on hold, and trade away the early picks. If that doesn't excite the playing list, they are playing for the wrong reasons. Goodwin thinks he can coach us to a flag with the addition of Lever, and other targeted talent. I'm bloody excited about that, and the playing list should be too.

Hang on Sue. We are talking about WATTS, because WATTS is the one who has been pushed towards a trade by Goodwin. WATTS is one of the most highly skilled, but physically weakest of all AFL players of his size. Goodwin has singled out WATTS, as someone who has been seriously under performing compared to his talent/ability level. You know, Goodwin the full time professional AFL coach? I would bet the vast majority of Dees supporters are hoping that Watts ends up finding a way to convince the coach not to trade him, and has a fantastic career, solely with MFC. (I am one of them) I would bet that less would be confident that he would actually take the opportunity if it was offered, for more than a handful of games a year. (I'm one of them also) I would bet that less still would complain if it meant that the departure of Watts was the catalyst needed, to finally grow the backbone we need to win a flag. (yep, I'm that guy too) I have no doubt Jack Watts is a cracking bloke. I wish he could find the heart to attack every contest in a way befitting of a professional 196cm player. Or at a minimum, commit his body to every contest, even if it means it may hurt. It will be a bloody sad day if Watts leaves. He is probably the most liked player since Robbie Flower. (yes I actually mean that) But.....If our side can be improved, at what point does the supporter base tell the coaches, yeah, stuff the flag, I just want to cheer for a bunch of great blokes every week?

When Lever says he is 'off to the draft' if no deal eventuates...

It still annoys me that people take such great delight in players being delisted. It seems unnecessarily spiteful to me. It was obvious to everyone that Kennedy would be delisted. You can't play zero games at his age when fully fit and expect to survive. There's no need to dance on his grave.

I think this may be the same person I have heard yesterday. Hearing a quality midfielder currently playing for a Victorian club. Will update as I hear more

I listened to the Dee Tales podcast on the way to work this morning. I'd already heard Roos' comments re: Watts on SEN last week. But what I found interesting was later on in the podcast when he was talking about Jetta and then also the expectations of the coaches on defense vs offense. Comments were along the lines of defense is easier to coach than offense. Not everyone can kick the ball like Luke Hodge or Jack Watts, but when it comes to applying defensive pressure everyone can run. Doesn't matter if your Oscar McDonald (hosts example, can't remember who Roos said) or Jack Watts. He also made comments about Viney & Jones deciding to be professional full-time footballers even though they're only expected to be at the club 3.5 days/week under the CBA. While guys like Viney and Jones are willing to come in on days off and do what they have to be the best at their profession others have the mindset of part-timers and are more likely to question "why are we still here" if they're running over on a particular day. It's a great interview with Roos, goes about 50 minutes and I recommend everyone give it a listen if they have the time.

What would some of you people want Watts to say? "I have been a slack bastard and so I'm off to a slacker club than the Demons", or "I have been a slack bastard and will mend my ways at the Demons". I reckon too many people interpret anything he says to reinforce their own opinion about him. Let's just see what happens.

Still doesn't get it.....everyone else and anything else to blame.... Put in and the conversation wouldn't be taking place

A close family friend of Jack told me the main reason he went to Adelaide was to see his good friend Tom Lynch and that he is a fair chance to stay at the Dees

You forgot the fact that he still refuses to compete to an acceptable physical level And the fact he STILL doesnt put both hands up in a pack marking contest. Or the fact he still applies almost zero forward pressure. Or the fact he still tackles like a fairy. If you are going to quote "just the facts", you need to make a better effort at not cherry picking the facts that suit one side of an argument. We cannot allow the "good bloke" argument to keep players on our list.

Jack hasn't. He has a contract. Why should he be forced to leave if he doesn't want to. He has every right to stand his ground and not roll over like the club wants - and probably expected - him to. Good on him i say. Respect.

To be honest if Watts came out and said "I'm staying and will prove myself to the MFC and force the coaches hands in terms of earning a place in the best 18.' That would have the be the best outcome for all parties. It shows Watts is going to shoulder responsibility for whats happened in his career to date, and prove doubters wrong. Not sure that will be the outcome. However if he is only worth a second round pick (thats 30+ if we are talking Sydney or Port) then he's more value to the club as a player surely!

I hope Goodwin watches the OTC interview with Hardwick. Everyone talks about Richmond's defensive pressure and intensity around the contest, but a key component to the Tigers' success, in Hardwick's words, has been about creating a safe and happy environment for the players and 'believing and investing in your people'. Hardwick quite consciously decided not to micro-manage the life out of everything this year - and looked what happened. As I've stated previously, I am very impressed with Goodwin and think he will be an excellent long term coach for us. But everyone has blind spots, and most first year coaches seem to take some time to know when to loosen the grip on everything. Goodwin might still be in this zone a little.

Assuming we get this deal done and Lever goes on to have a distinguished career with the MFC , it would be very sweet revenge for loosing Scott Tompson to them all thoset years ago.

Nothing, but when you take a mid injury holiday to Byron Bay to shoot a clip for your company, then return and the 2 week estimate layoff turns into a 4 to 6 week break, I'd suggest to you that he isn't a full time footballer. This is what irks the coaches

I'm glad he wants to stay and his manager has said MFC have handled this well so far. the fact that he is surprised by this after being dropped twice this year - almost missing round 1 and the last couple of rounds says a lot. you dont know what you have until its gone - or almost gone. My heart wants him to stay and do well but my head says he will continue to be inconsistent. my liver wants me to stop drinking but my spleen is up for up... confusing times indeed!

First and third paras are correct. Like Gawn, he clearly struggled after doing his hammy. Gawn was an ordinary ruckman with little presence around the ground after his hammy. In the last game, Grundy dominated the game. Prior to the injury Watts showed us how good he can be when fit and the team playing well. After his injury, Watts may have been no better than his teammates but he was certainly no worse. Very disappointed how this is playing out.

I would be disappointed in Watts if he even entertains leaving. He should just ignore the trade speculation and hit the track. He is contracted till the end of 2019 - so if he wants to stay he should. My advice to him would be to get out and hit the track, utilize the strength and conditioning staff available to you, and put in a big 2018 at MFC.

He sounds a compassionate and thoughtful young man. He genuinely looked happy when talking of joining the Dees. Will be a terrific asset for us on and off the field. Should also go well with sponsors - quite articulate.

Thanks. I get that there are no certainties in life, but when you sign a contract, you should at least have a sense of comfort that the club wants you around and your future is secure at the club. These contacts aren't designed for a club to break when a player has a drop in form, and Watts hasn't got arrested here. List management have made a three year decision, and it seems the FD are trying to wriggle out of a contract when there's a few clouds. How does something like this communicate faith in a players ability to get through a rough patch? This fosters a culture of mistrust and will have players anxious about being traded when they have a drop in form.

It's ok they have put out another statement. "Melbourne can have Lever for whatever they want to give us, we don't care."

Well apparently Jack's manager Paul Connors does. Said he can't fault Melbourne at all. Said club is doing the right thing. Jack now saying he is prepared to now do the hard work required to stay.

So I imagine Jacky-boy knows what needs to be done if he wants to play AFL for MFC next year. Is this a signal that he is prepared to do it (stuck in a rut) or simply a cry to not be kicked out because he ‘loves it’? I want to hear him say something like: ”I have been here 9 years and I love the place. I also know that what Melbourne need from me is so much more as they move forward. I relish the chance to push myself to new levels and be a part of something special.” Speak now, or forever hold your peace.

What would he mean by good times other than getting to a flag? Give him a bit of slack for goodness sake.

Behind closed doors im sure in no certain terms Goodywould have let him know if he stays he is on his last chance and must prepare and train his arse off. Will be a good thing.

From his presser: Wants to stay, would be a shock to miss out on the good times ahead, thinks he's playing good footy up until the hammy and then struggled.. Surprised by Goodwin's words and the opinions of the coaches.

Blitz-arvs Bal-ick Kollo-dash-knee from my 6 year old nephew ?

So that would be picks 10, 27 and Watts for Lever...Jaysus!! If that was the case, let him go to Collingwood!

Do you know it is the rest of the list that wants to move him on then? Dom Tyson doesn't from what we heard on SEN. We know management wants to move him on, Goodwin for sure and N Jones mouthing the same. Not sure what your point is. I think you have mis interpreted my thoughts. I was making the point in modern footy and modern corporations there are more managers than you can poke a stick at yet more than ever we do not tolerate difference from the agreed norm. Talented people who are different are not performance managed, they are more likely to be sent packing, instead of managed to realise their full potential. Interesting that 2 years ago Dusty Martin was shopping himself around the AFL because Richmond and he had fallen out. There were few takers at the time so Richmond had to find a way to manage him! Gee look at the outcome.