Deestroyer

I have no problems in what Neeld has done. It will also put pressure on guys like Watts to lift if he wants a long career in the AFL. I am already looking forward to a few more wins next year!

Nice to see Strauss back in the team. His kicking has been a highlight. Bail is a worry. I can't remember the last time he hit a target (excluding his kick for goal).

I have heard that Howe rejected our first offer, but wants to stay.

I am starting to belive Howe's ex-U18 coach who commented that he is the best mark he has seen since Royce Hart. I am just as impressed with his skills on both sides of the body. It really opens up the forward line when someone on the HF line can kick with both feet. Green and Davey could learn something from him!

Howe is 21 today! I hope he celebrates with a Rising Star nomination on Friday night!

It might have something to do with last year's MOTY - wasn't Watts the step ladder?

Howe was sick before and after Saturday's game. That could explain the lower output. Apparently he had recovered by Sunday night. I am waiting for him to take one of his trademark hangers!

Is there a difference between goal assists and scoring assists? This could explain it. Great game by Watts today. He rarely gets beaten in marking contests now, which resulted in a number of crumbing goals, e.g. LJ. A few more kgs next season and he will be ready to go!

I really liked Jack Watts' game today. Another preseason and he will be taking 10+ marks per game. His vision and ground level skills is amazing for a 196cm key forward. Jeremy Howe also impressed with his marking. 12 marks and great disposal is encouraging for a first year player. I am just waiting for him to take a hanger! He has really taken over Brad Miller's position, with the added bonus of solid field kicking and decision making.

I thought Howe was great tonight. He tackled and blocked for his team mates. What impressed me most was his vision with the ball and ability to kick with both feet. I was talking to a coach in Tassie and he thinks Howe is the second best mark he has seen...behind Royce Hart!

His favourite player was Nathan Buckley. Everybody called him Bucks.

His nickname is Bucks. That will change fast!

Howe thought Collingwood was going to take him. Melbourne were late to the party, but made a great choice. Howe is still growing, which means he could hit the KP 193-194 mark.

I have heard he is one of the most down to earth guys you will ever meet. The blonde hair in the youtube clip was because of a bet with mates.

Howe spoke to four other clubs - Collingwood, St Kilda, Western Bulldogs and Richmond (from memory). He flew across to speak to the Demons on Sunday. They asked him to fly over during the week, but he didn't want to take time off work. While he was picked from the local Tassie competition, we weren't the only teams interested. I am looking forward to seeing him play in 2011!

I remember someone last year mentioned that if Scully was playing with the Dees, he would already be our best midfielder. If he isn't now, he is not far behind. It is nice to have some genuine speed around stoppages with Scully and Davey.

A great game by the young kids. I hope Jamie B and Watts watch the attack on the ball shown by Scully and Trengove - they are leading by example. I though the wet conditions normally favour the stronger older bodies? Jamie B showed he has skill, however he doesn't want the ball enough. A player with his pace should be laying a lot more tackles - have you noticed how he runs around anybody sheperding and almost gives up the chase? He will be a much more valuable player if he can fix this part of his game. Jamie's ability to pick up the ball off the deck was almost as good as Davey tonight and the high mark was superb. With more game time, I think he can be a great HFF. Warnock and Frawley are becoming great defenders. They both have the pace to keep up with the fast leading forwards, which is what we have been missing in the last couple of years. With a few more options up forward, we have the making of a great team! Hopefully Morton, Watts and Jurrah can fix this problem!

Scully played awesome tonight. While he turned the ball over a few times, when you have 39 touches in the wet that is going to happen. His kicking is better than I thought. The thing I loved most about his game is his attack on the ball - just wait until he has some muscle to avoid getting knocked off the ball!

Comments from Dean Bailey recently: Jack's body will take another 18 months. He is 12 months younger than the draft year group, so there is no need to rush. He said they can’t do a thing about the media - will just wait like the Hawks did with Hodge. Dean is working on building players from the legs/backside up. Dean said that when he arrived at Melb players were built, but in the wrong way. He mentioned that Sylvia weights the same as when he arrived at the club, but they have re-built him and he now lift weights that are 25% heavier. It sounds like Dean knows what he wants from his players. The last two years of work are finally starting to pay off. While I want Watts to play now, I trust what the footy department are trying to do with him. The last report I read had Watts at 88kg. While his body isn't as strong as it will be in a couple of years, it must be close to being competitive at AFL level (maybe not key position). I believe he will be promoted as soon as he is named in the best for Casey. Hopefully he plays against the Doggies next Friday night.

Thanks for the update. Jeff White was one of the quickest players at draft camp, yet looked slow on the ground. Watts looked slow in his AFL games last year. Hopefully this was just Jack adjusting to the faster tempo of AFL footy.

I wonder if Jack would be playing AFL rather than VFL if he wasn't the number one pick? Astbury from Richmond has a similar build to Watts and he went ok on Sunday. Watts could play a similar role.