Druss

Why did you ignore half his post? What is JKH's upside? I don't see it either. But I think he gives it a real go. I'm just not sure he's fast enough to lock down a position.

Lol. I saw a lot of Port Adelaide players at a stand still multiple times through the game - moments when Watts was still providing run. And yes he makes mistakes - were any as bad as our captain hand passing directly to a Richmond player 30m out directly in front? But that's a pretty immature response by me; expecting flawless play from any player is unreasonable (and I suppose unless they decide to tunnel it under their legs, mistakes are forgivable). It is also irrelevant - you guys will see what you want to see when it comes to Watts. And maybe he'll be dropped from Port Adelaide next week never to play again. But here is the issue. We thought we were in a finals window. We gave up first round draft picks and a lot of $$ for a third man up based on this idea. So our decision to offload an experienced half forward seems completely at odds with this focus - because we didn't have a ready to go replacement. I think Bayley will be solid - but he needs games. And he won't get them while we're in this "window". I was surprised we pushed Watts out so hard, with nothing really to gain from it - but I really hoped our list was stronger then it appeared. So far it doesn't appear to be the case. Instead it looks like the decisions we made last year have hampered our list development. And not even getting Howe and Dunn back will save us

No single player is the problem. I thought that would be evident by now. Jones has got the most out of himself as a footballer. A lot of his peers that have come and gone can't say the same thing. I think he has done everything possible in his power, as an individual and a leader, to help the club succeed. Having said that; yes, he is a limited footballer. And maybe you don't find him the most inspiring figure (I don't either, really). But to suggest he is 'the' problem, or any problem, is just unfair and misguided. It isn't his fault that the club has failed to get A quality mids onto our list. Sadly for him, after our team's recent efforts it looks like he will be long gone by the time we do put together a real first class midfield (if ever?).

LOL you guys are obsessed. He's one of their highest disposal winners. Been involved in a lot of plays. Covered a lot of ground. Has quick hands and decision making. Been asked to swing across half back and the forward line. Laid some tackles. Landed a huge bump in a recent passage of play. But yeah because he's not Dangerfield he's a spud who should be in a dress. And we're still paying for him! Good thing we got rid of him so we can make way for hard nuts like..Bugg and...you know...all those other amazing half forward talls we have in our line up.

Maybe the reaction isn't because of the name of the player, or that we view him as some kind of Messiah. Maybe it is because we were burnt by Neeld, then got to experience some semblance of sanity with Roos, only to have the same tired tough man talk return to the Melbourne corridors with the next wannabe. On the same website atm we have an article saying we're delisting Ben Ken, and then another article saying we're interested in small forwards. That doesn't make sense to me because I actually rated Ben. But it doesn't upset me. I'm not in control of these decisions - and I recognise I don't know enough about Ben's on field performance to judge what was holding him back (tho I can't remember any of his performances quite as bad as some of Garlett's games). But they didn't come out and belittle his character in the departure article did they? All I know is in the most crucial game last season Watts was one of our best. And now the same bs rhetoric that supported Neeld's time in power is being repeated to support this decision. Fool me once?

I'd be highlighting the highouts as well. Despite being 'mentally soft' Jack has been expected to go into the ruck and compete in probably the most dangerous position on the field - and has accounted well for himself. This, no doubt, has impacted his stats in other areas as well.

I'm only posting here as its literally the only way to vent my frustrations about this whole fiasco. I find it unbelievable that we couldn't last longer than a year without Roos before exhibiting the same dysfunctional traits which were so prevalent during the Neeld years. The character assassination of Jack Watts in this thread is unbelievable. He's a party boy? HA. But what is more frustrating is seeing our 'leader' Jones come out and publicly harpoon him before his jacket hit the floor. Then Goodwin comes out and confirms, in so many words, we don't even want him anymore. Talk about smiling assassin. Why can't these people just keep their mouths shut? If not out of respect for a player that has endured one of the worst clubs in modern history and shown continued loyalty to the red and blue, then for the integrity of the club itself. Jack Watts is a limited footballer. This isn't through lack of application. The idea that someone has survived 9 years in the AFL system but isn't mentally tough enough or serious enough as an athlete is ridiculous. But here we are, the same tired discussion, attacking a player that despite good form is lambasted because he's too 'nice'. And yes, his form this year was good. The statistics mentioned in this thread countless times have backed that statement up. You're all welcome to sink back into the Neeld era. 'Tough' men with loud voices and small minds forcing awful game day strategies on us (starting the forward line in defence? Nice one Goodwin you flop). People in this thread talk up Richmond. Richmond have players who can actually hit a target. We're trading the only player in our team who can kick because he smiles too much. Dustin threatened to stab a woman in the eye with a knife. I guess that's less distracting for the club because he's a better player. Oh yeah Lever is going to be great. Those 2 tackles in the grand final showed how much tougher he is than Watts. Oh and for the record, Jones may try hard but his decision making is a joke. He should be more worried about his own performance before stabbing a mate in the back. I'm over supporting this basketcase of a club. I have to keep watching. I've barracked for this team my whole life. But I've lost complete faith in the administration and I do not want to support it with my wallet. I look forward to attending games as an AFL member. No idea how much clubs see out of the membership. Hopefully its nothing.