Gator

How valuable is up to Jack. He potentially has 7-9 years left, so he has plenty of time to stake his claim as worthy of a top 3 draft pick, or even numero uno. If I could give Jack Watts one gift what do you think it would be ? A pen and a blank piece of paper. The note would say, "How do you want history to remember you by the end of your career, Jack ?" How I'd like him to respond ? "I know how history will remember me, because I'm going to write it."

I'm not sure why so many supporters have a predilection to quote me re Watts. My views on him are nothing more than plain speak, but for some reason plain speak makes people feel uncomfortable in what has become the most politically correct generation in history. 10 points... 1. Watts didn't ask to be pick one, but he wanted to be. Most elite talents want the mantle and Watts embraced it and Melbourne at the time. Petracca also recently said he wanted it, but didn't get it. And with that honour it's my view a player should do the utmost to make themself the best player they can be. Not only for themself, but for the club that showed enough faith to bestow the honour. Whether others see such a leap of faith (pick one) as a poisoned chalice is up to them. I don't subscribe to that theory. You may not ultimately be pick one worthy, but dedicate yoursel to be the best player you can be. Every player should aspire to fulfilling their talent. 2. Was Watts developed properly ? No, he was handled poorly by a poorly run club. He should have been protected from the limelight, not made into a messiah. The club let him down. 3. Is he an elite talent ? Yes. But his talent is overrated for one main reason, he doesn't and never has had courage in the air. Young, skinny Weideman has courage in the air. Many players don't. Watts doesn't. Btw, there's a difference between not having courage in the air and being soft in the air. Unfortunately, especially when he was younger, Watts was soft in the air. 4. What level does Watts have the ability to reach ? A-grade. Due to a lack of physicality and courage in the air it's my view he could never be absolutely elite, or a bona fide star, but he does have the ability to reach AA status and be considered a top 50 player in the game, which is enough to be considered A-grade for mine. 5. Has he had passable years ? Yes. As a developing young tall his third year was reasonable and last year was a very solid B-grade year and something to build upon. 6. Has he underachieved over his entire career to date ? Yes, notwithstanding the poor early development, he hasn't been driven to be the best he can be. And one B-grade year for a player of such talent is a fail. If you think 2016 was the highest level he can achieve then we won't agree. And even if I accepted that view it's still a minimum standard. 7. Do I like or dislike Watts ? I often dislike the footballer, although 2016 was a massive step in the right direction, but one cannot but like the person. My eldest Brother (Hawthorn supporter) was on the same plane once and Jack walked down the aisle smiling and saying hello to everyone. He's just a lovely guy. 8. Do I respect his talent ? No, he was born with it. It's what one does with their talent that's essential. 9. Do I want him to fail ? No. I laud him when he shines and I'm critical when he's insipid. I want the club to succeed, I want every Melbourne player to succeed. 10. Do I think other supporters are soft on Watts ? Unquestionably. They're satisfied by third rate performances. All they see is a talented player who gets a hard time in the media. They must have been shocked by his 38 goal haul and improved play across the board in 2016, because to them he was fine before that anyway. If the club traded him many would have blamed the club, not the underperforming player. And then they felt vindicated by his improved output last year even though they never called for it. Not only didn't they call for it, they defended his C-grade years. They're probably lovely people, but I'd rather spend a year in solitary confinement than have to discuss footy with them over a beer. Hopefully this post means that no boring braindead apologist ever needs to quote me again on Watts. I apologise for future plain speak and the subsequent offence it will no doubt cause. All I do is say it as it is (what happened to that poster ? ).

I agree with some, but not all of this. One good year in 8 is a miserable output. That said, I'm not sure why you're quoting me, as your post is utterly irrelevant to my question. Someone said Watts has been better than many other no. 1 draft picks and I was curious as to who they thought he'd been better than. Another poster answered the question. Badly.

Since 2000 who has he been better than ? There's no point going back 20+ years ago when recruiting was far less savvy and recruiting departments underfunded.

Is this talk all because Vickery said he'd love to play with Martin at Hawthorn, or is there more substance ?

Like others have said, there are injuries and there are injuries. Not great for the players concerned, not great for depth, but barely a ripple on the best 22. Hopefully Kent can play in at least one of the remaining two games (JLT or Casey) and mount a claim for round one.

Umpires terrible, but the worst thing about the game is Kelli Underwood's horrendously repetitive commentary and appalling nasally voice, which features the flatest vowels I've ever heard. She makes reporter Teagan Dolling from 7 news sound like Queen Elizabeth. I now have it on mute.

I agree it won't be in 2017. I'm more talking 2020. I think there's enough evidence though that it's going to be very competitive this year and super nasty/brutal in years to come.

Yeah, I love Brayshaw, but I see Tyson as more a Pendlebury clone.

The talk isn't insane at all. There are always stars retiring and stars emerging. It's been this way for over 100 years and will continue for the next 100 years. There will be a group take over the mantle and when I look at the already exposed form of Viney, Tyson, Oliver, Brayshaw, Petracca, together with Jones, Lewis and Vince I see no reason it won't be this group of Dees. It's not a far-fetched call in my view. We're developing a skull-cracking midfield and the competition knows it. EDIT: I'm not suggesting it will be the best midfield, although it's conceivable, I'm talking toughest.

I agree, Doc.

True, some disappointments there. Back to Watts. If pivk one isn't A-grade, you at least want B-grade. Unfortunately, Watts has had a C-grade career. He's produced one B-grade year. Let's hope he can build on it. He has a chance to make his next 5 years A-grade. The innate talent is there.

By the way, get back to my question, which you nicely dodged with your all-encompassing mediocre stats. Other than 2016, name a good year by Watts.

I wanted a star, but got a tease. I'll never divorce expectations from his draft pick. You can please yourself. Judd, Hodge, Roughead, Franklin, Pendlebury, Riewoldt, Bontempelli, Bartel, Selwood - all top 10 draft picks, all stars, and all bar one premiership players. There are never guarantees, as we especially know, but to suggest my disappointment is based on far-fetched expectations is nuts. Clubs expect a star with pick one, we got a dud. It happens, but don't say the problem is my skewed opinion of what he should have been. It's what the club and everyone wanted. Some, like you, must be so vague in what you expect you're not disappointed by anything. No problem, but accept some of us are on a different journey.

"Solid" ? Horrible mate. Look, let's not have a tennis match. My views have been unambiguous for many many years. You're happy with what we've reaped and I'm bitterly disappointed. If I get a chance I'll check out some other duds with similar stats. Btw, if he replicates 2017 for the next 7 years naturally I'll take it. I think Goodwin will make him a better player and render the stats you've just quoted to be seen as the ordinary ones they are.

Far-fetched hopes ? That's a laugh. What, you mean hopes that he wouldn't avoid marking contests, avoid putting your body on the line, avoid half-hearted efforts ? Perhaps avoid getting dropped twice in his 7th year ? I'm convinced that 90% of this site are clueless about the actual game of footy. I have no problem with that, btw, but don't ever suggest one good year in 8 is acceptable. Or perhaps you can list the years you found were a pass mark ? No-one was happier than me that he finally had a decent year, but even then it wasn't this earth-shattering year send down by the Gods. It was a year he should at least meet from here on and in reality exceed.

Your and my take are polar opposites, Dave. My take is that they haven't kept it a secret from him. Do you think Goody and other coaches just speak in meetings behind his back and then suddenly let him know on the eve of the JLT that his intensity is below what's required ? Or more likely he's received regular communication for months, but disappointingly hasn't elevated his performances ? I know what I find (far) more likely. I find the alternative absurd.

You said, " don't go to games or watch them if you think the Goodwin era is yet another false dawn" Explain why you referenced this comment to me. Waiting...

WTF are you talking about, Scoop ? Explain where I think Goodwin is anything but great ? Quotes thanks.

I love this site.

So, according to the journalist who interviews Goodwin, Goodwin says we're going to play "fearless" football and they headline the article accordingly. Days later Goodwin is interviewed by Julian de Stoop for Foxfooty where Goodwin actually says we're going to play "fearless" footy. And in his speech last night the theme continues, where Goodwin tells the audience we're going to play "fearless" footy. But you'd rather assume the reporter got it wrong and there's some insane coincidence that Goodwin is now suddenly using the same term. Moron alert.

Just same crazy coincidence he's then used the word on an interview on Foxfooty and now during his speech at the club launch ? Perhaps just accept your criticism of the journalist was wrong.

You may not like it, but you were overly critical of the journalist and appear now to be incorrect. I thought you may recant.

It certainly appears now that Goodwin did indeed use the term "fearless", as he's highly spruiking it now.

Great report. With regards to your two questions... It makes sense Weideman will play, because he's been preferred in a "best 24", hasn't been a liability, and will only improve with further exposure at the highest level. It doesn't make sense to pick him throughout the preseason and then mothball him for round one. It doesn't make sense to play both Gawn and Spencer, because Spencer isn't a ruck/forward or forward/ruck. He's a ruck only. We'll be as good as a man down on a fast deck at Etihad by playing Spencer. Gawn can ruck 80-85% and I'd rather improvise the other 15-20% than play Spencer. I expect Watts to play and in turn take the odd ruck contest.