P-man

He was fun in a laugh AT kinda way.

It wasn't complex. Much like your good self. Give the [censored] act a rest, fella. Ben Hur did it first, and he at least made it entertaining.

Fair point. And you almost made it without being a condescending [censored] this time. Keep at it.

Agreed. It's all been said and it's certainly no longer a footy topic, so it's now just presenting opportunity for potshots. Close thread.

It's not quite true to say his effort hasn't been there since Round 1. He was okay against Carlton, but so was the bulk of the team. Certainly last week was the worst game I've seen from him, and he's had some stinkers.

Except the Dawes snub wasn't his first goal mate. It was a goal on the run against West coast in Round 2 when he came on as the sub. From memory about 3 teammates congratulated him. It wasn't a good look. In fact it was a very bad one, and not a defensible one.

Expect nothing better. As for Liam, it's all been said and stories like this are no longer a shock. Football is the least of his concerns.

I was pretty appalled by it. A kid kicks his first goal in AFL football and is treated like he has the plague.

He's still posting over at BF. Been quick to tell everyone he was the FIRST Melbourne supporter to ever question Jack Watts. lol

Like I said in another thread: Ben-Hur lite. or "I can't believe it's not Ben-Hur!"

Clearly his disposal was not the main issue. I was merely saying that the one thing that can shield hm from some heat most weeks was all but completely absent on the weekend - that is his classy use of the ball. It only served to highlight his usual lack of intensity.

haha..geeze you are a childish clown. As soon as Watts puts a few weeks together you'll be labelling him a superstar. Toumpas can feel aggrieved as much as he likes. He's second year player learning his craft, and he hasn't yet put forward a strong case to come back into the side. He seems like he has a good head on his shoulders so I doubt he's giving Watts a second thought. He'll be focused on improving his own game.

Watching a replay, the other reason the heat has come onto Watts this week is because his kicking was decidedly poor. Those laser passes can partially compensate for his other shortcomings but that was lacking on the weekend with 60% DE. Confidence continues to be an issue. If Roos can rectify this, he'll have won half the battle.

Remind me what Jimmy did on the weekend to put his hand up?

This is the slight worry. Those are the only three young midfielders that we can put in the bank. Very early to say that about Salem after one game but unless we completely bugger it up, he looks the real deal. Can probably add JKH to the list if he is to be modelled into a midfielder. That's four bankables, along with Jones obviously but he's not as young as he once was. The rest are currently looking like questions marks, if we're being honest - Toumpas, Trengove, Watts, Michie, Kent, Blease, Tapscott etc etc. We still need to bring some quality youngsters into this group.

I'm not blaming supporters who have given up on him, for the record. I don't think it's unfair to say that he often disgraces the jumper with his efforts. Poor skills is one thing, but being gutless is quite another. The criticism is warranted. The upside is still there and is enormous, if someone can get through to him.

He's doing a bit more than that. He's downplaying the heat that has come onto him from fans and the media (see comments from Nathan Brown this week as an example). From someone in his position, it's probably a wise move. He doesn't have the luxury of giving up on Watts like many supporters do, and have exercised.

lol It's quite clear now that he won't be dropped. Discussion can now turn to what he needs to do against the Crows to restore some faith.

No offence but I think you'd struggle to find one person who'd agree with dropping Dawes for Fitz.Dawesy is one of the first blokes I am picking atm and I'm pretty sure Roos would feel the same. The delivery into the forward line on the weekend was poor, to say the least. Half the time it was around his knees.

I wouldn't either. I just like to look at and acknowledge both sides to an argument. The challenge for Roos is to get him to replicate his performance in Round 1. That was a physical game, but he didn't look as out of place as he has recently. For whatever reason, his confidence and application has plummeted since then. If he is dropped it won't be for a month. If he strings together a couple of solid weeks he will slot back in.

Yes, you did and are. I have called for him to be dropped because that level of effort is not acceptable. By the same token, who do we have that is remotely like for like with Watts? An athletic 196cm midfielder that is one of a handful of elite kicks and is equal second on the goals tally for the year? Not much of a claim to fame, but in a team that is seriously struggling in that area, we need goal kickers. He has assets that pretty much no other player on our list has. Once again, I believe he should be dropped as a statement to him and the team, but I can see the counter argument for another chance being given. This would however be his LAST chance.

Missed the point, WYL.

I'll be surprised if Watts or Howe are dropped, and I'll be even more surprised if BOTH are dropped, but I certainly won't complain.

Realistically I think you're right. Watts importantly provides another tall option to float forward, and if he can manage to mark the ball it will be.a bonus. Both will play this week, but there is little doubt that both deserve to be dropped.

Some good points and better stats than I was expecting. As others have said it is his defensive positioning which when compared to the likes of T Mac is poor. The clangers he makes also tend to be under no pressure whatsoever, and those are the ones that really hurt. One way or another we need to set up with elite ball users off half back. It is a consistent theme with all the really good sides. This rubbish of kicking it out on the full under no pressure has to end. Not just talking about Terlich specifically.