Gator

Grimes was 'involved', but his lack of awareness is up there with the worst I've seen.

Chasing is nothing more than a mindset / directive. It's one of the easiest things in football to correct.

I'm hard because I have a vision of how I want our team to play. There'd only be maybe one or two other teams in the competition in which Cross would get a regular game. I wouldn't keep him at year's end.

Cross rarely gets his hands on the footy first. He's not "first dibs" and nor is he overly "inside". He's slow and doesn't have elite disposal. I like him and he's added to our hardness around the contest, but I suspect it will be time to move him on at year's end. The Dogs packed his bags 2 years ago and they'd hardly be regretting their decision. We'll have youth that needs to be exposed to best 22 football at the expense of a 33 year old, which he'll be next year,

I thought Watts could kick 40 goals this year as a permanent forward. Needless to say, his "efforts" have been a tremendous disappointment thus far.

It's a great cause. Thankfully, we're one of the lucky ones. My wife is well 10 years after chemo and radiotherapy for breast cancer. She was just 34 at the time. She graced the MCG in the first year of the pink ladies.

I've read a couple of posters question Howe's value as a "high half-forward". I advocated Howe going back, but am in favour of him returning forward - at least more often. He's now got 80 games under his belt, but, more importantly, he has the luxury of playing as a third or fourth tall. When did he have that in year's past ? He's hardly played with Clark, Dawes has missed large junks and Hogan wasn't there. Unlike Watts, Howe is brave in the air and while shorter than Gunston can fill that type of role with his aerial ability. Gunston has better smarts, but I reckon Howe can return to the forward-line and be a real danger and awkward matchup.

Neitz is underrated and left a great legacy at the MFC. Hogan is a smarter and more natural footballer than Neitz. This doesn't mean he'll emulate Neitz' stellar career, but I expect by the end of his career Hogan will be recognised as the superior player. Hogan has a far better footy brain and the strut of a champion.

Wirrpanda, because Kowal didn't want to go.

I don't understand this perception that past players or media commentators should withhold their true views due to past allegiances. Mike Sheahan used to needlessly cop it too. I want unfiltered views. I may not agree with them, but I want committed commentary. I don't want to hear Jonathan Brown going soft on the Lions, because he was their star player. I want him saying it like it is. I'll think he's full of it if he waters things down. It's called "credibility". Moronic thread.

I've posted in two threads on the first page. There's much I could say, but I generally can't be bothered and don't have the time. Watts has been a hobby horse for years, so I can't help myself. And yes, I've been "convinced" for years. Some see things quicker than others. As for Roos' realism ? I agree with you to an extent. There's that fine line between understanding and enunciating what's going on and rationalising your way to failure. Afterall, we become our thoughts and the players pick up on his public pronouncements. I reckon Roos sees himself as an educator and likes teaching the media as much as his own players. He'd do well to hold back a bit. That said, as BRFE has already stated, for the last 3 years Harwicke embarrassingly carries on how they can beat anybody, and they're nothing but a disappointment.

There's no doubt we were thrashed in the midfield. And there's no doubt Watts was inconsequential whether we won or lost. But this view that we shouldn't blame a "front runner" or "soft HFF" is rubbish. Who are Freo's "front runners" ? Or Hawthorn's ? Or Sydney's ? There's no place for front runners or soft corks. Not if you want to build a hardened unit. Now, I know some will say what about Jetta at Sydney, or perhaps the Hill brothers and maybe even Isaac Smith. But that's utter BS. Those players put their body on the line (there are degrees of everything) and they also regularly impact games. I know the players love Watts. I get it. He's a great guy that everyone wants to do well. But that just doesn't cut it. FFS, make a stand as a leadership group and club and don't tolerate the half dedicated. As long as Watts is selected in the senior 22 I'll know this club is half serious.

I said before the season that Tyson was our most important player in 2015. The fact that he's been deplorable is telling. We get murdered at the stoppages and it's hard to fathom what's wrong with Dom. He's far better than what he's producing. Put Mundy, Fyfe and Barlow in our team and we win the game. If you can't compete around the heat of the contest you're an also-ran.

He's run out of ideas, so just regurgitates same old, same old.

I've overrated his talent. He has some nice skillsets and at times does a clever thing, but, in reality, he's a bog ordinary footballer. The fact that he doesn't work hard and is one of the softest players I've laid eyes on doesn't help.

Happy to have dialogue. That's what it's all about. Especially when I'm often quoted. You know, by you. Ooops, 19

I couldn't question Watts' loyalty. With all he's been through - the number of coaches, changed boards, admins and the mixed messages that all entails, he's been incredibly resilient and loyal. Players love their teammates first and foremost, which is why it's difficult to prize them away. Clubs know they have to offer them a poultice to get them to move - unless it's the 'go home' factor, or the clock is ticking and they're sick of playing for a cellar dwellar.

I'll respect your wishes. Although, I would say, you, and you're not the only one, are far too invested in the views of others. I disagree with the bulk of what's within this thread, but it doesn't make me angry, which clearly puts me at odds with others.

"I think the beauty of it is, he has so much footy ahead of him to change people's perceptions. If the perception is of unfulfilled talent, or doesn't work hard enough, he has ample time because he is good enough," Lyon said. "I would say he has got to complement his God-given gifts with energy. That's what I just want from him - energy. Energy around the footy, energy in the contest," Lyon said. "If he can complement what he has been handed, with some energy and work rate, he'll be a terrific player. Salient comments from Lyon and no different to my concerns over his output. Despite protestations here, Watts doesn't work hard enough. He has the talent, but he'snot making the most of it. Some see it and some either can't or won't. Some do, but still won't hear a negative word. I don't respect Watts' talent. Why would I ? He was born with it. He didn't earn it. It's what he does with that talent that's worth applauding or otherwise. Some of us say nothing more than what is patently obvious to anyone that has a clue about football, yet so many here take it personally. Watts has so much more he's capable of giving. Many of you just don't realise it.

Not up to it.

Well done on your hundredth, Jack. I look forward to some sublime tiptoeing around the forward-line. Here's to an unexpected victory.

He doesn't play as a tall forward, because he has no courage in the air. If he had Robbie Flower's courage in the air he'd be our Jack Gunston. Sadly, he doesn't and he's not. It is what it is, I suppose.

C'mon. Riewoldt has never won contests by some beastly frame. He's never engaged in one on one tussles. He's used his athletic prowess and ability in the air. Naturally, he's filled out over the years, but yes, he's always been on the skinny side. Hardly a man mountain with barbell-laden muscles everywhere...

I respect them. Just like I respected Simon Godfrey. It doesn't mean I want them in the team. And if Watts does lack the grey matter to make the most of his talents then it's a pity he went pick 1. Not easy to ascertain when judging juniors, but not impossible. It's an indictment on Watts that he's a 196cm flanker. Jack Riewoldt is skinny, but he's brave in the air. Jeremy Cameron was skinny in his first couple of years, but he was brave in the air. And that's been Watts' achilles heel. He's not brave in the air. But by all means, keep making excuses...

His "ability" doesn't impress me. I love Barassi's thoughts on natural ability. He didn't respect it. It comes from your parents and doesn't warrant respect. It's how hard you work to make the most of your natural talents that warrants respect. Watts has been blessed with more talent than most and I have no respect for what he's done with it.