Watts the matter

Ohhh you reminded me, can confirm from training two weeks ago that he does wear a mouthguard. Takes it out quite often between play.

Goodwin said in his press conference he went off for 10 mins early in the game with it, not an issue going forward.

The questions are going to start coming about their game style and if its sustainable. Could be a trend going on now, of coming out all guns blazing with amazing pressure, then failing to keep it up.

All true, but from what I saw at training last Friday, Kent appeared to be ready to go. Kent from memory had a good period pre-christmas while Hannan was in rehab so in that regard I find it surprising. Can't say I noticed Hannan at all in the match simulation on that particular day. I do like the attributes Hannan brings to team, so hopefully logic prevails.

In the end, somewhat surprised, somewhat disappointed. Looking forward to seeing Hannan play but not sure that he should be coming in ahead of Kent given he has also had a limited pre-season. Weideman very lucky to get a gig. Happy that Spencer is not playing. Not sure that ANB should be playing but I guess this shows that for all the pre-season talk about our depth (which happens every season), we still have a long way to go.

Unfortunately, this is the development team.

Hmmm, I'd be surprised if there are some surprises. I think maybe some disappointing selections might be more likely.

I'd add Wagner to certainly out and the other 3 are good to go. Kent, Garlett and J. Smith all looked cherry ripe yesterday. I hope your team is a bit off the mark. Don't want to see Spencer, Garland or Weideman in the team. I expect Weideman to be the only one of those three picked. Also, doubt Jetta will play and they like Bugg so will probably find a spot for him.

I agree with you about him going missing but there's no one else on our list to take his position. I'd be shocked if he didn't play based on what I saw today.

Garlett and Kent both looking good, would expect both to play round 1. Kennedy was involved for the whole training until the Casey players left so I would expect to see him there this weekend. I don't particularly rate him, but he was moving fine. Weideman was with the man group and contributed about as much as he does on game day. One goal out the back, one lead up mark and set shot from 40m out which he missed. He did get caught playing as a backman on Hogan at one stage and made a nice spoil after Hogan moved him early.

I went for about 2 hours. It was a very windy session. Hibberd and AVB not present. Frost in and out of main session. Hogan had a tiny niggle on his hip at one stage, but joined back in shortly after and moved nicely. Didn't notice Trengove (other than copping a nice tackle from Smith). Garland won't play round 1 if they watch the film of this session (Smith also caught him in a good tackle). Brayshaw and Petracca are very hit and miss with their kicking. In goal kicking practice Bradshaw did two of the worst shots I've ever seen (including local junior football). Most players trained like they play apart from both the McDonalds who didn't make any massive errors in the match sim drills and Oscar was doing quite well with a few intercepts. Kent and Garlett will both play round 1, both trained well while they were out there. Hullet played as a backman in the match sim. Pederson was forward and took the only notable mark of the session.

For what?

From Goodwin's post game press conference it sounded like he was injured/rested from the game and is in the mix for round 1. Apparently he will play in the Casey game next week.

Very kind leaving Petracca off that list. Two absolute shockers going forward then a fumble in the defensive goal square in the 3rd quarter (I think) alone.

No, it was tonight. Goodwin said Trengove was going home on an early flight to play in it.

Good game and nice to see him getting a lot more of the ball through to the end. Still has a lot of work to do defensively, a prime example was priddis goaling in the second quarter. Oliver was ball watching after the centre bounce while priddis streamed forward and had 30m space. Tried to catch up but was too far behind.

Of course a captain is going to say this and so he should.

Was there? I don't remember him in the midfield at any stage. Unless they are referring to him starting at HB, which I doubt they even noticed. It's hard to find an article without a mistake like this between the papers and the afl site.

No he hasn't, according to this article, just a cautious approach. King's pain could be Joel Smith's gain at Melbourne

Really? You wouldn't expect a professional who covers AFL as his job to know this? These things happen so often and really these journalists should know a lot better. Edit: Good to see Weideman commit.

I don't know why everyone finds this so hard to believe, stuff like this happens. I'm sure he will be back in the next week or two. Most likely getting a kick up the ass that he probably needs. Mitch Cleary is Damo's right hand man and works with channel nine. I would be confident in his info being on the money.

States definitively that he was not rested and was not missing through injury. No specifics but that clears it up for me.

Just to add to the discussion. Here is McCartney's take on Watts in the list updates. Jack Watts Jack’s really keen to build on – I’m not sure it was a breakout year – but a turning point in his career. He has a great love for his teammates and loves the team environment and brings a real energy to what we do here every day at the footy club. Our feeling is that we haven’t seen the best of Jack yet, but it’s close. His commitment – and our commitment to Jack – is that what he showed last year becomes the norm this year and that is that he’s ‘thereabouts’ every game. Doesn't really give much either way, but there is little about his actual pre-season.

Has the audio of the conversation in question. A definitive statement from Cleary.

Jack Watts position for Round 1 in doubt