The Chazz

Top 5 of the B&F each year of both boys and girls.

Which of our defenders is he going to play against and/or beat? One match-up I won't spend too much time on.

What would we get for Kent, Bugg? Nothing. They are handy depth, at a fraction of the price of Watts. Also, we don't know what was discussed in their exit interviews, and further to that, the response.

Quality post. It's so good that it is competing with some of my work for being the best in this thread.

How do you know they all made an offer? How do you know it was the clubs chasing him, and not his manager organising meetings? Did he tour Sydney? How do we know if Watts actually "chose" Power, and that it wasn't a case of them being the only ones that showed true interest? So many questions with this one, CBD, but like me, you know SFA. I will say though, if three clubs were chasing him, then we'd be getting more than pick 30-something. And I don't want to hear about the Ablett clause being the reason Geelong pulled out, if they wanted him, they'd make it work. It's exactly like Menzel at Geelong. Quite simply, no team wants him, or is willing to pay what Geelong would want in return.

The Brisbane game cost us the most. A game that would've secured our spot in the 8, and where was Watts? Running around in the [censored] 2s.

Exactly. Hardly banging his/our door down with lucrative deals. The three sides can see that it's a risk that is worth taking. If it doesn't work, they haven't lost a lot. Geelong also have a track record of thinking they can fix our players, with not a great deal of success mind you.

Chasing? Only one made an offer didn't they?

No sickly feeling with me, SONS. I'm one of the supporters that you speak of, and I'm quite content with it. I tell you what, I wanted the whole team to cop a hiding after the way they finished off the season. I'll excuse some of the young kids that ran out of puff. I will never accept that a senior player/s didn't prepare as good as they could've. If Watts was the biggest culprit, then I'm glad they have made an example of him. I was quite numb after not making the finals, and lost a lot of interest in the finals series in general. Insipid performances from my team did this to me. I feel some sense of relief that Goodwin and co won't accept mediocrity. The telling point about all this is that out of 18 sides, from what has been reported, only 3 expressed an interest in picking up Watts. That's telling.

Very simplistic way of looking at it.

Amazed he was dropped after that GWS game.

He'll know how not to coach. Has had plenty of "great" role models in his time at the MFC.

Let's hope we don't need contingencies then!!!

Contingency planning more than anything, AF. TMc as moved forward in 2017 because of circumstances, taking our best key defender out of his preferred position. Turned out to be a blessing in disguise. We've tried Frost forward with minimal success at best. OMc is suited down back. Thoughts were that depending on match-ups, injuries, form and other circumstances, I could easily see Lever playing that swing role, adding further value to his worth. By no means am I proposing he starts full forward, Rd 1 2018.

He will if he doesn't change his ways.

While it was said mostly TIC, I do think that style of defensive structure will further highlight Lever's strengths. Neita also used to dominate at CHB. Went on to become our greatest goal kicker. I actually don't see T McDonald failing as a forward. He's a very disciplined player, and I would expect a summer with the forward group will see him grow in to that line very well. Our spine is looking very, very strong.

The diamond defence will make Lever a Brownlow favourite. Not sure if it's been raised in this thread (I haven't read this thread at all), but is there a potential of Lever floating forward? While I'm not big on taking a player out of a position that they are dominating in, just wondered what peoples thoughts are on this (similar to what Geelong have tried with Harry Taylor).

And generally, SL, he was playing when you went to those games (meaning he was getting games!). The club has clearly had enough. So they should, and so should its supporters. I've been a big Watts fan/defender for many years. But, in the interest of both Jack and the MFC, it's time. I will miss him, but feel that after about Round 5 in 2018, we'll be wondering why it took so long to do it.

Jump on the Western Bulldogs website if you want a circus happening at a different club.

So, for midfield depth, as soon as he got his opportunity in the seniors, he wasn't played in the position where you consider him depth? And for Casey, he played as many minutes on the HBF as he did midfield. Either you or the coaching staff have NFI. I know what my money is on.

Presumably because their lesser lights worked harder than Watts.

He played two games in a season where our midfield was often missing a number of our better players. JT does NOT provide us with midfield depth. Please understand that, it's for your own benefit.

Why would you? I seriously think some posters on here just want us to be a middle-of-the-road team for ever. Just have to look at the outcry over Watts for further proof of that. For us to be a serious flag contender, we need players like Trengove and Watts off our list. And so you know, I love both of those blokes, I honestly do. But I would love a flag more.

Look at some of those stats. 22 goals for the year. 60 tackles. 23 clearances. First year player. If Mitch was 18, we'd all have done our bits over this bloke.

Anyone notice Watts after the Jeffy goal? Around the 49 second mark of this clip... http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2017-09-26/top-5-goals