Goodvibes

Iggle Piggle is available for nothing after I delisted him. He came to life as I stepped on his toe the other night in my boy's room. Scared the crap out of me! In regards to Watts, I'd be disappointed with my manager's comments about the need for a coach that highlights his positives. Hardly smashing down the views held by most of the competition about his approach and mindset.

It's hard to see how he could remain on our list now. It will be interesting to see what we get. Like anyone, I don't want to see him go for peanuts. My only concern through this whole process has been the potential impact the statements of Jones, Goodwin and Mahoney may have on his trade value. I have no issue with them making a statement about what we expect at our club and clearly outlining why Jack has been allowed to "explore his options" but it will be interesting if these statements do in fact lead to us not getting a pick under 30. I think he has to go given what has transpired. I too would love a scenario where he stays and responds to the kick up the backside with a career best year but too much has been said. Trengove, Oliver and Jones all sounded like they thought he was gone in their speeches.

My Foxtel broke.

That's fair but I'm only responding to the request of another poster and in so doing defending the record of a first year coach that is under siege by some because of his audacity to move on one player. If he'd made decisions in the past that had torn at the fabric and the culture of the club then I too would be cautious but instead he's taken significant steps forward. Maybe it's the coach in me that admires someone who has a vision and is prepared to back up the talk with decisions that he knows will be unpopular. He talks of culture and a team-first mentality. And the talk has evolved into action. Did you listen to the B and F? Did you hear how much work a rough around the edges Clayton Oliver did to have the season that he had? Did you hear our co-captain praise the work ethic and commitment of the coach. Our values aren't being re-aligned each year. This is year four of a calculated, clinical transformation of the club. The loss of Watts understandably stings some but it's clear to me why the coach has made the call. I'm pretty sure I voted in favour of keeping Jack in the poll attached to this thread. I like the guy. And I'm pretty sure Goodwin does too but it became clear that not only Goodwin but key players and staff at the club are prepared to put the club first. They have a responsibility to their members to do everything they can to bring us a premiership and create a list and a club environment that will foster sustainable success. I can't believe some would believe Goodwin and others would trade Jack if they thought that would make us less likely to succeed.

I wasn't the one casting aspersions on our coach.

You asked me to present some evidence suggesting Goodwin was heading in the right direction. And I'm sorry bub, but I'm not sure you're the poster on Demonland that can question the sense of another. Did you re-read that post?

Vocal player support Game style Games won Ladder position Percentage Player growth Roos' choice Emphasis on culture Stable support staff Selection consistent with his philosophy on football Innovation in terms of tactics Lack of voluntary player movement

So you're point is sometimes people rush in to support their footy club? My point is that this footy dept and the previous footy depts. are different. Intelligent posters on this forum saw the warning signs very early on in Neeld's time. All evidence points to Goodwin and the rest of the footy dept steering this team in the right direction. When the evidence is positive, I think support is deserving. And at the very least, Goodwin has done enough already for this footy club for supporter to think twice before slagging him off because they disagree with one decision.

That's not evidence.

You've asserted that our senior coach and others within the footy dept have a grudge against Watts. The responsibility is on you to provide the proof.

My respect for Jonesy has increased. He's one of Jack's best mates and he's backing in the club. What does that tell you? This is what a team-first mentality looks like. As Nathan said last night, talk is cheap and we as a club have start showing what we're about through our actions. Trading Watts, for me, is an example of the club walking the walk.

Comparing Neeld era to Goodwin era? I think Goodwin has a few credits in the bank. The support for Watts is admirable. The abuse of Goodwin and the footy department as a side product has been deplorable. The times and the standards at our club have changed. We've lamented our culture and loser mentality forever on this board and now we're prepared to question those responsible for our upward spike. As I said earlier, every supporter and member has a right to question footy dept and club-wide decision making and processes but many of those in a rush to support Watts have basically written off Goodwin. I think he deserves better. Jack told the membership last night that we're in amazing hands. I agree.

I hope Jack doesn't carve '4real' into his arm and then disappear.

Just some of the truth? Its just hard from my perspective to evaluate your contributions when the only contributions we've had from you are in regards to Jack Watts and very negative about anyone in our footy department - a footy department that in my view has put together a very clear vision and is working dilligently and consistently towards realizing it. Is your criticism isolated to the treatment of Jack?

2013 - 17th with 2 wins and a percentage of 54.07% 2014 - 17th with 4 wins and a percentage of 67.89% 2015 - 13th with 7 wins and a percentage of 76.96% 20146 - 11th with 10 wins and a percentage of 96.60% 2017 - 9the with 12 wins and a percentage of 105.22% We've all seen the above progression. Put simply I don't want this momentum to be harmed by anything. The Watts debate is heading into dangerous territory. If Goodwin and McCartney and Mahoney are wrong on this one so be it. The credits are in the bank for me. You can question this decision but the abuse these guys have copped is over the top. We've got to look at the big picture and back them in - not because it's the easy or lazy thing to do but because the tangible evidence supports what they're doing to this footy club. rpfc makes a fair point - in the past there has always been a chorus telling the naysayers to pipe down but comparing what happened under Schwab or Neeld with what has happened over the past three years since Goodwin has been at the club is unfair.

The club should always be under a gaze. Loyal supporters like yourself have every right to question and vent. But the posts of ChewyOnMyBoot have moved beyond that in my opinion and have the potential on this forum and beyond to create resentment and a divide within the supporter group.

I think you need to be very careful. If you're a Melbourne Football Club supporter and member and truly care for this club and its future then you need to be aware of the potential damage your comments may have. If you're a friend, family member, acquaintance, team mate, member of management team etc . . . of Jack Watts then you need to be equally careful not to betray the confidence placed in you. Your tone since you started posting has changed. Your agenda is clear. At the moment all you are doing is rubbishing the club, its coach and its footy dept boss. This club is so close to the ultimate success, with or without Jack Watts and my tolerance for anyone creating bad blood at this particular point in time is very low. You have every right to make your point but now its clear your agenda has surpassed the questioning of the club and is instead focused on discrediting it. Sue, Ron, Rusty, Beelzebub and Jumbo have been clear in their pro Watts stance but regularly posters here know that they love this footy club and should Jack leave, that love may well be tarnished but they'll still be here. Your loyalties are not as clear. I think we deserve a little transparency from you given the mountain of Jack Watts related posts you've provided since your recent arrival.

Is this with the same source you acknowledged last year was no longer at the club?

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

CityDee, this is what you wrote a few days after joining this site just over three years ago: Hated seeing Riv , Maloney , Miller on the ground before Davey's farewell game. Heart and soul players who could play a role and had proven so time and time again. Col played with injury alot and battled hard . Id thank him for what he did. the kid did and can play, all of these guys had bad luck with coaching changes/inept coaching and instability at club land.They had some good times also. Go Dees. I respect that you clearly have a great love of both the players and the club but from my perspective you've got the order wrong. I've often stated that I'm a member who has tried to enjoy the little successes throughout the journey and focused on those as opposed to a premiership or bust mentality but the older I get the more that elusive premiership has grown as a priority to me. I hated Grand Final day and have for some time. If Jack leaves, it will be a sad day but surely one player can't be the reason for you to jump off - particularly a player that is failing to put the necessary effort in for us to improve. Jack has indeed been a huge part of our recent journey and I too have imagined the role that he would play in a potential premiership but it appears that it's not meant to be. Seeing Jones, Viney, Gawn, Hogan, Petracca, Brayshaw, Hunt, Jetta and Oliver celebrating on a premiership dais generates just as much excitement for me. Jack leaving is just another chapter in our story. As every Dees fan knows, not all those chapters have happy endings. But I've never been more convinced than right now that we might be on the cusp of the ultimate fairy tale ending. Don't miss it CityDee.

Doesn't kick enough goals.

I'd do it. I'd also move Hunt forward. I'd love to see Hunt, Rohan, Garlett and Hannan harassing opposition defenders. We need to create a point of difference forward of the centre to complement our strong contested ball winning midfield.

I probably don't need to respond because ProDee has made the point. But we're talking about effort. Football is a game of mistakes. If you were to analyse Dustin Martin's best games this year you would find them littered with errors. All players have flaws. All players make mistakes. I'm as frustrated as anyone when Tyson turns it over or Oscar gets pushed aside or Bugg misses from point blank range but the reality is these are weaknesses that those players are most certainly aware of and working on. Watts doesn't work hard enough. He has received the feedback and apparently has failed to respond appropriately. That's why people like me (who do indeed 'like' Jack) are frustrated. He does things very few on our list can do yet continues to frustrate coaches with his work ethic at training and preparation for games. I can deal with the missed tackles if I see him working on it. I can deal with his timid approach to aerial contests if I see him endeavouring to improve in this area. Long ago I acknowledged that he was a flawed player but chose to instead celebrate his rare gifts but effort is non-negotiable. If the coaches deem his effort levels unacceptable, who from outside the inner sanctum could possibly argue? And in terms of Norm Smith, from the tales I've heard he valued a team-first mentality and succeeded because all players worked harder than every other club in the league. His adopted son lacked polish and became a legend of the game. I'm guessing he valued the same things Goodwin values.

I'm interested in what you think Norm Smith would have made of Jack Watts.