Dr. Gonzo

This comment does speak volumes though

I listened to the Dee Tales podcast on the way to work this morning. I'd already heard Roos' comments re: Watts on SEN last week. But what I found interesting was later on in the podcast when he was talking about Jetta and then also the expectations of the coaches on defense vs offense. Comments were along the lines of defense is easier to coach than offense. Not everyone can kick the ball like Luke Hodge or Jack Watts, but when it comes to applying defensive pressure everyone can run. Doesn't matter if your Oscar McDonald (hosts example, can't remember who Roos said) or Jack Watts. He also made comments about Viney & Jones deciding to be professional full-time footballers even though they're only expected to be at the club 3.5 days/week under the CBA. While guys like Viney and Jones are willing to come in on days off and do what they have to be the best at their profession others have the mindset of part-timers and are more likely to question "why are we still here" if they're running over on a particular day. It's a great interview with Roos, goes about 50 minutes and I recommend everyone give it a listen if they have the time.

That is the knock on him and it seems borne out in this years finals series, however he does have speed which we lack and he is a big body. Not the worst idea.

Interesting

So double standards are ok in going after a young kid? Complete hypocrisy from @jumbo returns who has been one of the most vocal in jumping down the throats of anyone who has criticised Watts at one time or another.

I put a tiger scarf on and was cheering for the Tigers on the weekend too - oh no, call the footy police!! Seriously this thread is embarrassing

Wow way to slag off your own players, ever heard of being a "supporter"

Barrett and Wallace on Trade Radio - Collingwood was interested in Lever, and still are, but have been told no, it's Melbourne

We'll probably get a mid-late 2nd round pick (pick 27-35) unless it's a swap of players.

Board member has resigned, board challenge likely

I'd also like to say that although I have come across as very "anti-Watts" to some on here, if things turned out that no suitable trade could be agreed on and he ended up staying on the list next year I wouldn't be upset. Seems an extremely unlikely occurrence given whats in the public domain however stranger things have happened.

Assuming if we land Lever TMac will play FF next year with Hogan as CHF.

McDonald was sent on his way under Bailey, the others as well from memory. That was a completely different situation as we were left with a vacuum of leadership and the club was tanking for draft picks so the players felt they weren't supported by the FD and club. McDonald was the only real had one and probably more in the way it was done. Miller, Bruce, Green, Robbo, Yze, White they were all done. Reading between the lines I find it hard to believe there isn't more going on behind the scenes that they don't want to go public with.

McDermott, McGuinness (captain) & A Jarman were at least 3 of them. I can understand the angst from Melbourne supporters, Watts is a seemingly well liked player around the club, he is well liked by supporters and he has lifted his performance over the last 18 months. He does possess attributes that we seem to be short on. But there has to be a reason the FD is looking to move him on. Goodwin isn't going to deliberately sabotage the team due to some personal dislike he may have for Watts (if a personal dislike even exists). In a situation like this I find myself having no other option but to support the club and FD and assuming they are making the correct decision. Of course clubs have made mistakes before however this current admin does have runs on the board so should be given the benefit of the doubt. What I sincerely hope doesn't happen is that supporters start turning on the coach, FD and club based on this decision as, like I said, they have the runs on the board over the last few off-seasons and deserve our support. They are trying to improve the team and club to build towards a premiership, this is their careers on the line too. I'll back them in at this stage and continue to support the club. The last thing this club needs is to get back to infighting especially from supporters and media commentators such as Schwarz who don't know the full story.

I felt the same way after Farmer left (even though not the clubs choosing). I'm still here 15 years later.

Why do you think the club has told Watts to explore his options? Do you really think Goodwin, Viney, Mahoney, McCartney and the rest of the FD are doing it simply because they don't like him? Do you really think they're that stupid? How do you know there's no basis, no discipline issues?

That's because people are reading these posts through their own emotional perspective. Any criticism of Watts is seen as hate or vitriol.

Jake Spencer was also a clubman, one who plays a position we are quite short on. Why not the angst at delisting him?

Utter tripe. Any "vitriol" if you really want to call it that is directed towards the supporters who seem intent on tearing down the coach and FD based on their decision to trade an underperforming player who likes to pick and choose when he will take his job seriously. Noone feels "cheated" that he is not a mercurial saviour, we feel cheated when we hear that a senior player turns up to preseason in poor condition, we feel cheated when a senior player throws out one arm in a poor attempt to tackle, we feel cheated when a senior player doesn't compare in a marking contest. This is not vitriol, it is pointing out some very obvious failings of one of our senior players.

He doesn't have to

It's not hate or venom, it's disappointment.

Poor Jack Watts just needs a cuddle, toughen up princess. His weaknesses are self imposed there's nothing he couldn't improve on if he had the will to do so. Even this trade scenario shows how weak willed he is - he could've said to the club "you honour my contract I'm going nowhere" and taken it on himself to prove he was a required player through his actions over preseason. He is not one to stand and fight.

If you think it's salary cap related you've got no idea. Do you think it's acceptable for a senior player to take an unprofessional approach to his preparation? Do you think it's acceptable for a senior player to turn up to preseason in less than acceptable condition after his first solid season since being drafted 9 years earlier? Watts did not have a "great" 2016 he did not have a "great" 2017 or a "great" Queens Birthday game. He didn't even poll votes on Queens Bday. His form in this period should be the benchmark not the ceiling. The fact supporters think his form was great is only evidence of the way he has continually underachieved throughout his career.

I'm telling you to compare apples with apples.

If Watts was seen as such an integral part of our next flag tilt don't you think the coaches and FD would be doing everything in their power to reassure him of that? Supporters are to emotionally attached to some players, even those who are perennial underperformers.