Jarka

So you're happy for him to play even though the Casey coach doesn't think he's ready? I'd prefer to rely on the judgement of his coaches, the kid is too valuable to risk just for the sake of appeasing the impatient fans and armchair experts. Let those who work with him daily make an assessment on when he is ready.

What concerns me about kids like Morton and Watts is that the majority of Melbourne fans have built them up to be the elite of the elite, if for any reason they don't get to that level then they'll become instantly hated like what happened to Sylvia. Most people here expect Watts to be the saviour of the club, it's pretty sad really to put so much pressure on a kid.

FFS, you are an absolute idiot. Firstly show me with quotes where I've been negative about Watts in this thread, I merely pointed out a fact. Secondly Riewoldt played 6 games in his first year and he would have played more but for an injury. As someone else has already pointed out you have to go back to Luke Ball in 2001 who didn't play any games in their first year due to school commitments. So, you can't read and you clearly don't know what you're talking about with regards to Riewoldt. Fair dinkum, it's morons like you who frustrate me with their lack of knowledge about the game and topic. Can some on the idiots out there who have taken offense with my comment please tell me why it's so bad to compare Watts' development with other recent number 1 picks? I'm not bagging him at all, in fact I've openly said I'm happy with the way Bailey is treating him this year, but there's this group mentallity going around this place that as soon as someone posts anything that's not 100% positive about the kid then they're set upon by the herd.

This is what I was meaning

I would have thought that he's been played further up the ground to work on his weaknesses, nothing wrong with that.

Naitanui has a knee injury which put him back about 6 or 7 weeks

Whose complaining? Haven't read many people complaining, if so they're the minority

By pointing out a fact? Thanks for posting

Pretty sure that Reiwoldt was injured in his first year otherwise he would have played more games.

What do you mean 'give him a break', and who said I'm doing anything but 'giving him time'? I'm merely pointing out that in comparison to other recent no.1 picks his development has been very slow, is this forbidden? Are we only allowed to post the positive things about Watts? Don't be so precious

I can't think of another recent number 1 pick who has had a slower start to their career.

No it isn't, in the years to come this will become a very hot topic. Watts has sublime skill, footy awareness and contested marking, Naitanui has agility and a fierce determination. It will be very interesting to see the two careers develop, both have huge upside and both have slight question marks. I'm actually looking forward to watching both of them.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/rfnews/the-p...ge#contentSwap2 Good article by Quayle, she is rapidly building a great reputation in this area.

Watts beep test time is around 13 and a half, he's very far of Morton's time. Two things he needs to work on, his engine and hardness at the ball

Interesting rpfc, I've always thought that we'd get the best out of Watts if he doesn't play in one of th ekey positions, say a floating half forward type. Give him the freedom to move about, obviously he needs to vatly improve his tank.

I'm not fazed when he plays, I don't fit into the 'let's play him now!!!' camp. When he's ready is fine by me.

I agree Freak, however I think Grimes has more of a football brain than Wheatley. Although Wheatley is a suberb kick his decision making is often slow and poor, while Grimes' is the opposite. Give Grimes the luxury of experience and I believe he'll be a far superior player.

Robo won't get another contract extension, that's obvious, but what is also obvious is he's one of the very few on our list right now who is capable of kicking a bag and being a realistic and threatening target up forward. For as long as Robo plays he'll commond one of the better defenders to mark him. Robo is part of the old Melbourne, yes we're going to look forward but let's celebrate his career in a developmental season which will most likely be his last.

McLean isn't the type of player I'd be looking at trading. Sure, this year he hasn't lived up to the expecations, ours and his, however even in his poor games he is still contributing, and he's showing he's still good at clearances. In the incoming years when Scully ( ), Blease and the other young mids we have mature, guys like McLean & Jones will be invaluable for our depth and midfield rotations. I don't see the value in trading away an inside midfielder when we have so few of them in the first place

His work effort has never been an issue, it's his lack of agility and smarts which is a concern.

This is not something to be proud of

I'm not sure if confidence is the issue with his kicking, he's always been a poor goal kicker, nothing new there. Miller's ok, would stuggle to get a game with any other team, Richmond excluded perhaps.

Very true, but how good is the entertainment on a quiet Sunday morning? You can't pay for stuff like this, marvelous.

You're quoting a bigfooty thread to prove your point? Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha *breath* hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha ahhh, that's funny I wonder how many think he doesn't get tackled because of his body shape Edit: I never said that Ablett is the most skillfull mid going around, I just think that your statement about his body shape is hilarious, let's go back and revisit that post... You know, it never gets old, it's still funny the third time around. Why don't you create a poll on bigfooty asking how many people agree with this opinion?