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Turned up to training early, naturally they thought he was a burglar.

I don't know why I'm bothering posting in this thread and I've not read all of it, thankfully, but the thing that amazes me most is the vast majority of posters are so committed to one side of the debate or the other. Personally, I think there are two valid points of view and I can see both arguments. It's a bold move by the footy department, it has not been well handled and it's very unfortunate for Jack who clearly wants to stay. There can be no winner in this debate and that people put so much emotional investment into it is staggering.

Watching the live-stream. Just watched Trengove's speech. Didn't cry or anything.. I'm all good.

An update on the lever deal. The crows won’t budge on the two first round picks deal so the club will be having a meeting with Richmond to discuss an exchange involving their two late first round picks and our pick 10. The crows have indicated that those two picks would satisfy the deal if the tigers are willing to trade them. Despite earlier confusion the watts race is still on with Geelong and port slightly leading Sydney and interestingly his chances of staying with us slightly better than they were. Don’t rule that out. We have told the cats pick 20 or no deal if he chooses them. Freo want to look after balic so pick 64 is the best pick we’d have to give up to secure him. Dean kent has been shopped around but has gained very little interest at this early stage.

looks like Howe at the Browlow

It will be very interesting if JW gets an opportunity to speak tonight. There are those in the club who have prepared for the possibility JW will make an impassioned speech of his love for the club, apologises for letting team members, supporters and the club in general down, declaring his desire to do what ever it takes to win a premiership for Melbourne before declaring that he will not authorise a trade. This is possible and would be making a big statement. From what I hear the thing that has really got Watts offside with the coach and some players is going away to Byron to promote his board short business while he was injured. Watts did not do rehab properly while away and lost so much fitness he was useless on his return. A 2 week injury turned into 4 plus the 3 weeks it took to get him back to full fitness.

I think Fyfe is coming to Melbourne after having a coffee with Hogan.

From last years B&F: Upon receiving his fifth-place award, Watts said “I’ll make it (speech) short, it’s taken me a while to get up here (on stage). “Usually, I’m down there feeling a bit awkward drinking free p---”. Roos: “Decide to be great. It is a decision, it doesn’t happen by accident. You have to want to be great. And greatness is not going to happen when you turn up on November 1 or whenever you turn up and Simon has got the whistle in charge. Greatness is going to happen when you walk out of this room tonight. That’s when greatness starts. You have to commit to it you have to want to do it and I would love nothing more than to see Simon and Nathan holding up the premiership cup." Watts was dropped from the pre-season games. People who think Goodwin has some 'vendetta' against Wats are deluded. He is a serial under-performer who has chosen his level of commitment to professionalism. That level is unacceptable. Posters that think Jack has to be treated with kid gloves and 'positive reinforcement' are crazy. Talent only gets you so far. Unprofessional players in a club are like a cancer. Watts' finishes in the B&F: 2016 5th 2015 18th 2014 4th 2013 11th 2012 16th 2011 9th 2010 25th You could mirror the arguments about Sylvia. The club has done the right thing. And if Watts stays and commits to becoming a great player then everyone will be happy. If he goes and we get a good draft pick/player in return then I for one will be happy.

I picked up "The Coach" the other day about North's 1977 season. Plenty of great quotes from Barassi and I've only just finished the section on preseason. A lot to do with people getting the best out of themselves and naturally gifted players who coast because they've never had to try to succeed but the ones that push themselves are those who become champions. This quote I've uploaded seemed quite apt. Also notable, Barassi kicked a very popular player in Kekovich out of the club to the Magpies during the 77 season for similar issues, lack of effort, lack of professionalism, thinking he could coast on talent. Obviously North went on to win the flag.

Sad to see Trengove done at the Dees. He’s a great club man and admirable hard worker. One of my favorite Demons over the years. That was a good thank you speech he just gave, bit of humor and a few tears too. Well done Trenners on winning the Troy Broadbridge award. You’re a champ!

Jesse is staying with our club, he said so himself. Given this, can I please suggest we quash any talk of him being traded and what his value would be?

Secured all the finance for my new film and trade week starts tomorrow. Life is good! ???

Caro’s annoying, until she agrees with us.

Hannan? He has shown more in one season in the tackling/pressure effort than Watts did in his entire time with us. Plus with another pre-season will only get better. I'm fairly optimistic about what Mitch Hannan could do next season.

See, he is still in our best 22.

Hopefully my Finals Brochure arrives by the end of the set.

Just caught JT trying to hold back tears-poor bugger.

what's the hurry? we made a generous offer. we stick to our guns or it's the nd

Taking a step back but I'm still struggling not to cry over that Trengove speech. What a wonderful man. Definitely proof that crappy things happen to great people.

I made it up. #ETthetradebreaker.

If Jack does stay, pulls his finger out and plays to his capabilities it will be one of the great footy stories. Lots of ifs though.

Bit early to be on the gas isn't it mate?

Watts was not to blame for missing finals. Give it up. There was plenty of passengers still in 2017. Watts first half year in 17 was excellent and he was one of the best in round 23. We are still hurting about finals but Watts was not the reason

The chef brought it out on a big tray and just as he got to the tables he tripped and the whole f***ing thing went on the floor.

You have tuned into Geelongs B & F. That'd be Happy Hammond.

I'm here. The attendance here is bigger than Melbourne v Fremantle from earlier this year at the G.

I'm hearing a very strong rumour that a straight swap of Watts for Zak Jones is on the cards.

Ollie..

Do me! Do me! Ok, I'll start. You are wrong, and maybe an idiot. Your turn........

Can't seriously rank players like this, Brayshaw on potential? Lewis ignoring his age? NB after one ok season? Aside from the fact all are players with completely different attributes.

as should crow ceo's wife next it will be biffo's dog being interviewed

That was reported by a poster on here few days ago, good to see where 3aw get there info from

Are you telling me that people still believe Hogan wants to go to play in WA? Even after he met with the club and said he wants to stay at Melbourne? When will it end.

This live feed is awesome.... I have criticise the club in the past for lack of content on the website, but I will be emailing them with praise for this.

Interesting to see the comments...all of them. I'm heartened to read some have never bagged Jack..I must confess I have. In the earlier days Jack managed to join an illustrious club club of "which Demon" i.e the one who'll come out to play or the lazy shlt. There have been numerous over the last decade ( at minimum ) . Over time Ive come to accept Mr Watts for what he is. A very good player with limitations in some respects and sublime skills in others. He is not that Square peg some require ..hes the round one. Jack , to be perfectly honest reminds me a little of my own son. I'll explain. Like many parents without realising it I came to want him to be like me. I have been fairly sporty over my journey. Not really a sport I couldn't play...not necessarily well but able to participate. I possess all the requisite skills to perform adequately in mat regards. I was quite good at some. my son despite wanting to please his Dad inherited all of his mothers prowess.. Totally fn useless at sports..lol. He tried...and tried.. and even surprised some. But it wasnt for him. I had to come to terms with what he was, not harp on what he isnt. This is the thing. You play to strengths. Hardwick for years tried and tried a formula which didnt work for him , his club , his list. Youd only get so far before its natural ebb would push back. He learnt to change ( with help arguably ) to learn to figure out how best to use what you DO have available , to mould a team to fit , and a style that works for them . Results are impressive arent they? I wouldnt mind that club. Make no mistake we ARE the new Richmond..the Ninemons as I cynically call ourselves. So what is this old bugger on about. ?? It's horses for courses and understanding what you DO have, as opposed to planning for what you dont. old school Asset Management. Jack in the last couple of seasons HAS actually stepped up. He just doesnt fit the image that the incoming powers that be see as ideal. He doesnt measure up to what the leadership see as requisite. He actually has more football skills than all of them combined but not the supposed work ethic.. He's '''you know" " Private School " thinks he can cruise through. Here I must say his efforts arent probably in some respects Spartan. Hes not that kind of player. Should that alienate him from being productive ? What always seems to happen is when the Noobs come to town in Management they often want to invoke their idea, their image , of what is good and workable. That's one kind of Noob. Another takes time to assess what he has to work with and plan according with a view to encapsulating as much of the vision as can be done. I see Goodwin as somewhere in between. He is perfectly within his rights to do as he sees fit but it may well be sage to bend ( as a tree ) to accommodate what you have, as opposed what you don't. It is curious that whilst SG and Co see the glass as half empty , other teams see a glass at least half full. Watts' talent doesn't come along to often. Not many could pull off the tasks thrown at him as he has done. Still this is not good enough ? He is actually a very good role player..He plays any number of roles. Is he gladiatorial ? No...Never will be . A pea heart as suggested by some ? He's withstood the barrage of not only the tag of most clubs but the animosity from within. He still smiles and runs and wants to play for the jumper. If he goes as I suspect then we as a club have a lot to learn. If he goes he goes. If he goes for peanuts..We are beyond dumb. If he goes for equals.., then why bother ? If he goes for overs we are genius . Lets see how clever this club actually is. For those that think we cant stuff up...Norm says Hello

Twice as loud as anyone else. Could be an interesting night.

Mahoney said they won't trade Watts unless a suitable deal is forthcoming. I'm doing the apparently unimaginable and taking him at his word.

Patience...

Amazingly, the MFC website has finally got with the times and is streaming the count live. Well done to whoever is behind this. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-10-09/best-and-fairest-live-stream

I would be filthy if that happened. This has been my biggest gripe with this situation is that it’s made our bargaining position very shaky. How could Jack possibly return for another year after everything that has happened? He can’t, which means I feel like the club will be forced to accept a lesser deal for him. We SHOULD get a 2nd rounder for him, and bugger it if we can’t get a satisfactory deal then keep him. He’s a professional, our clubs professional, we’d find a way to make it work. (At least that’s the impression we have to give)

Let me get this straight, we pick up the Weed and to you that's an indication the club nailed Watts coffin, yet later in the season the club extends his contract by a further 3 years. Brilliant!

Just listened to an interview with Mahoney from today, wasn't long but it left me with a strong impression that Watts is still an even money bet to stay or go.

Zak Jones for Watts sounds like someone’s trolling to me.

The brilliant thing about this situation is if we don't get a good enough offer for Watts we simply don't trade him and he can use this experience as a much needed and final kick up the bum.

I think you'll find that many (not all, of course) of the older brigade are the more reasoned posters on here... if you look through the posts, the most vitriolic seem to be by posters who join at times like this (Watts being traded off etc) to do nothing more than sink the slipper. I've always been a Watts fan, but I would never go so far as to say he has consistently been of much value to the club on game day over the past 9 seasons. Yes, he lifted and helped win us the QB game against the Pies, but as Aristotle once posted on a Forum, "one swallow does not a summer make". Can't agree with your other post: "I find once a person reaches xxxx+ posts I ignore them, figure they are not objective and share a group think mentality". The numbers of posts are most often a reflection of the time someone has been a member on these boards; they are certainly not a reflection of a poster's ability to remain objective. As far as "group think mentality" goes, this being a supporter's forum would tend to indicate that we are all guilty of group think when it comes to supporting the Dees. Oh, and the following should have said: "As a newbie it is a AN aloof community"

Most posters who support the club's decision are considered in their approach. Denham has said on SEN this morning that the LG approached Watts over his standards. This is significant. Supporters can't accurately judge these things from afar.

AFL website reporting Crows have offered Motlop $600k - and they're cracking the sads because we offered $750k to Lever???

This has got to be single most divisive thread I’ve ever read on here. Personally I’m torn and I see a lot of merit in what both sides have to say. My Head says ‘go’ my heart says ‘stay’...