Viney12

I think everyone should watch Jack's highlight video from Round 13 vs. Freo (in my opinion his best game for the club - or at least very close to) (sorry don't know how to embed youtube) The reality is, we see Jack's strengths on display - he's a play maker, he's evasive, he's great at ground level and in traffic, and exceptionally agile for a guy his size His attack on the footy is good and will improve - but to expect Watts to hit packs like Jon Brown is fanciful, particularly at this stage in his career (given his frame)

Exactly what I thought

You make some valid points but I disagree with this Commentators and football fans have already labelled him the wrong # 1 pick and not up to it Leigh Matthews said after about his 5th game or so, he's done nothing to show he's worthy of pick one They may know he was drafted at 17 and skinny and and and and......but they are failing to give him the due leeway before sticking the boots in There is a certain venom and bile when people (mainly outside of our club) discuss Watts - it's almost like a disdain for him

And let's face reality - Hawkins had a purple patch in a grand final against an injured opponent The way the fans and the media are fawning over Hawkins after that patch of form shows the fickle nature of the fans and media

I don't necessarily think that people are expecting we're hungrier to win etc. just that the intent during the clash vs. collingwood was very much unlike how we've played in recent years

This is my issue with his NAB cup performance - some are condemning him to failure after 1 poor showing (let's not count round 1 as it was that horrible 20min format and torrential rain) Let's see how he goes this week vs the Hawks with Clark down there in the forward line with him

A point on that - Watts has never really had any form of physical protection from his team mates. Clark being there will make him walk taller in that regard IMO

If anyone says that's what didn't make solid process in 2011 then they're either not opening their eyes, following the popular thing to do (i.e. get stuck into Watts), or have maybe a bit of tall poppy syndrome that is my point - his progress in 2011, not the fact he's a star Tall, athletic, golden haired child from affluent bayside, attending Brightion Grammar, being drafted to a club with a supporter base seen as tof nosed range rover driving snow goers (<-- by the way - because people say this sterotype - does it make it true?) Jack was never going to be popular with opposition supporters, please want him to fail, they will pick out 1 mistake amongst his 15 good things It will always be that way until his quiet games become the exception

Bias? I didn't say he was a bonafide star I say he took huge steps last year - and that is fact See this is the JW cycle - started last season quietly, ever bastard and his dog crucifies him, he starts to show some form, had a purple patch of about 8 - 9 games where he was very good, regularly in our best. starting kicking a few goals, started taking a few good solid grabs, everyone shuts up. Has a poor showing in torrential rain in QLD round 1 of NAB cup - media is all over him - poor in round 2 of nab cup, everyone gets stuck into him again The people who get stuck into him are the same people who slammed Goddard's output for the 1st 4 - 5 years where he was ordinary, now, he's an utter champion, elite blah blah blah If by round 10 this year, Jack's not showing anything, criticism will be justified (although still FAR TOO early IMO) but justified somewhat I'm not bias, but I'm understanding of Jack's situation Bottom age, under developed, school kid, playing football for Brighton Grammar, training once a week with the club, being developed for a position that is notorious for the players taking some years reach potential 2009 for Watts was a write off - should never have played 2010 it was like a new recruit and he was finding his feet 2011 he took some serious steps to show his ability and improvement 2012 we're 2 rounds into the NAB cup ffs Like it or not, Watts currently isn't and may never be a pack crasher that's what people want - well I ask, what's the point throwing a 89kg highly skilled and athletic kid into packs, when he could be at ground level (which IMO is where he does his best work). Lets let him develop his frame before we expecting him to be monstering opposition back lines

I personally don't want to think about 186 ever again I don't want the players to either I think Neeld's idea of a clean slate has serious merit We can't change what happened in 2011, or 2010, 09 etc for that matter New Coach, new coaching group, entirely new structure, more resources, new captains, new look leadership group, a new brand of football - which we all witnessed last Saturday night (yes I know it was only NAB cup but one could argue there would be less reason to put their head over the ball in NAB cup) So far Neeld has impressed me, his my way or not a all mentality is refreshing. He's blunt, he's to the point, he's told them whats required, he's eluded to the consequences if what's required isn't given. Time to look forward, we're a new team now

Gibbs took a couple of years to get going - so your assessment he was excellent from the get go is wrong Kreuzer has shown glimpses - and been injured - so it's difficult to assess. Also, Kruezer was drafted as a man mountain - Watts was drafted as a 17 year old skinny school kid - this makes an enormous difference when looking at KP prospects It's popular to get stuck into Watts - a blonde haired private school kid, drafted to a club seen as toffee nosed elitists You could immediately see how the collingwood players attacked him as soon as he came onto the ground Watts should never have played that year - it served no real purpose other than to make him cannon fodder for the masses who like to attack Reality is - with his age at draft time, with his body type, with his previous experience, Watts needs time. He won't start hitting his straps until he is 23 - 24 People need to accept that He took huge steps last year, anyone who fails to recognise that doesn't know football, he will continue to take steps

I agree it was common pre expansion teams However, I think it's blatantly obvious now that the Scully situation had an effect on our club - on all levels You would think if Bastinac wanted to stay - he'd continue noegotiations - a la Hurley - not put them on hold It's not a good sign - doens't mean he's definitely gone - but not a good look

Honestly I think the talk of Watts needing to "step up" is just a myth now For a young KPP his output has increased each year: Year Team Games Kicks Handballs Disposals Marks Goals Behinds Tackles Hitouts Frees For Frees Ag. Brownlow 2011 Melbourne 22 9.0 7.1 16.1 5.6 1.0 0.5 2.4 0.4 0.6 0.8 0.05 2010 Melbourne 15 7.7 4.9 12.6 4.7 0.7 0.3 1.0 0.6 0.9 0.9 2009 Melbourne 3 5.3 3.7 9.0 3.0 0.7 0.7 0.3 0 0.7 2.0 The reality is 2009 he shouldn't have played 2010 was about getting some confidence - 2011 was about him understanding he belongs Honestly (whilst I think he will be an exceptional player) - anyone expecting him to do any more to date was merely getting in on the perception he was a dud pick up

Probably cause the deals were rushed - which no doubt some complained about

We could win the flag this year and some people would still be complaining we played round 1 NAB Cup without a sponsor FMD - to call this "....a low point" for the club You have to be kidding Come round - no sponsor - sure, have a crack - but the season hasn't even begun To be honest I'm more interested in seeing how our PLAYERS actually PLAY and let others worry about sponsorship Fact - with Energy Watch - we are $300k p/a ahead of last year from out FOJ and BOJ sponsors Clearly the club is waiting for the right deal and not jumping at shadows like some of you I'm sure Schwab could've signed 10 sponsors by now if he was as nervy as some people - clearly he has something bigger in mind

No we couldn't as you have to nominate BEFORE the season starts that you are going to use them

Agree re Bail Think he's very underrated in the football world and a very important player on our team

I heard he's looking at starting a clothing line a la Buddy First item off the production line will be a range of hats The Scully:

I think it's more the reference to "he who shall not be named" as opposed to looks

Royalty cheque? The afl.com link you posted in the OP virtually stated the same thing I see the issue of captaincy 2 ways Green for 1 more year then someone like Trengove or Moloney for a minmum 3 years I cannot fathom how people would see it as acceptable to tell Moloney, "you'll be captain for 12 months, until who we see is a better candiate, is ready for it" Would be too big a slap in the face

Isn't it funny that all of these supposed "ugly exits" occurred with a bunch of players that copped such an easy ride for so long under their best mate Danners All of these blokes held us over a barrell at contract time, all threatened to leave, all signed at the death knell during trade week, after "....seriously considering an alternative" All underachieved for the MFC (no doubt they had good careers but they were paid immensely well to do this, far more than some genuine stars of the game) All couldn't see their time was up, as evidenced by White, Yze, Robbo etc. nominating for the draft TJ copped it easy for so long from the club, then had a parting shot after he was traded out I don't think this was Bailey's doing, this was a lingering problem from Danners era - all players who played the majority of their career under him Junior was told (as far as my understanding) early in the year he wouldn't be getting a contract, then played some reasonable football therefore expected he would He didn't His time was up too

Agree with all, other than the fact Junior was shafted His time was up

Cameron played a role, he was no hack (very good one on one, rarely beaten), his disposal just became terrible And I disagree he was always a terrible disposer, early on in his career he was quite good

Junior - told by the club he was no longer required. Never held the club to ransom during contract negotiation. Never played his contract negotiations out in the media. Cam - told by the club he was required on a 12 month contract for a significant sum. Told he would get a 2nd year if warranted. S**t on the club, took a 12 month deal for far less money from another club who couldn't guarantee a 2nd year. A club where he was not best 22 vs the club that plucked him from obscurity and served him well (and he served us well, I don't disagree) where he was best 22. A player who ever time he negotiated a new contract held the club to ransom, and played it out via the media. Surely you can understand why some are a little bitter towards Cam Additionally, I think Junior was retired at the right time and honestly, it's a joke if he thinks he still has anything left in him

My point being Bobby was that was the moment when his disposal went down hill After that kick he seemed to lose all confidence when disposing of the ball EDIT: In fact, I remember the way he dropped the ball during that kick. Horridly awkward and different to his usual style From there on in he used to drop the ball onto his boot the same way