PaulRB

So, looking at those 15 MFC players who scored Brownlow votes for the season just past, Jack finished equal 14th with 1 Brownlow vote (equal with OMac). Which makes him the equal 162nd best player in the competition. It is what it is, I guess. But watching a competitive beast like Dusty sweat on beating Dangerfield to win it, made me wonder what Jack thinks of his performances and if he aspires to do or be better as an AFL player. Looking at our top 5 pollers in the vote (Oliver, TMac, Viney, Hibberd and Jones) they are all driven and competitive. Maybe we (I) just need to accept Jack is what he is, despite our hopes he'd be something more. Trade or not trade, he's become a marginal player with marginal impact on our fortunes and hopes going forward.

By passing or placing responsibility for him staying or leaving in the hands of the Footy Dept, instead of taking full responsibility for where he's at and acknowledging it was his choices that have led him to this situation and that it would be (and will be) his choices that will lead him onto whatever comes next for him. I.e. the Footy Dept lays down criteria for success at MFC, Player X (Jack), then chooses the extent they will adhere and excel to these requirements... If at end of the year, Jack's under performed, to go passive and say it's in the hands of the FD, is a dishonesty and self deception, as Jack chose to underperform.

Maybe the club has confronted Jack and said along the lines of "if you can't pull your finger out and lift your commitment and application to the competitive and performance requirements of being a MFC player, then let us know and we'll trade you." From the Jones interview it seems clear that Jack had a challenging post season interview/review and that other senior players deem his efforts and intensity inadequate for someone of his talent and tenure. The fact that Jack is still being passive about his future indicates to me, that the penny is yet to drop with him, that its actually up to him to lift or leave, not the footy dept. It's a shame, as its getting clearer that Jack probably needs the spur of being rejected by the MFC and the challenge of proving himself to a new club to get the best out of himself.

The difference is Lynch runs to create play in the centre corridor, whereas Jack runs from the corridor to the fringes.

Might go easier if the Crows have just won the flag!

The Adelaide back line is great at holding the ball up while their mids get reorganised (defence to offence) and then feeding it in...

I love Ablett to Geelong, as it means another year trying to milk success out of an aging list while not developing their next generation. The cliff when it comes (2019 be my guess) will be brutal.

Watched him closely last night and like his composure, aggression and smarts directing play in and out of back line. He'd be a significant addition. We pay what the market requires.

"He's the best fister in the game!"

Hey Biffen you're not wrong that some things have changed. But you probably need to actually see the movie before attributing labels like "victemhood", to it. It's central premise is almost precisely the opposite of your projection.

I don't see a persons personal choice of whom they marry, is an issue our politicians should be involved in. And as a result am offended when they assume to try to control people in this way. Further, when you say you don't see it (therefore it doesn't exist), I'll ask you, how many openly homosexual couples do we see at the Brownlow night celebration? Answer: None. So in your rosey world view every things hunky dory, in mine its evidence that the 5-10% of players that are Gay, feel humiliated and oppressed to the extent of hiding and being ashamed of their sexual preference. It is obvious you don't sit where I do. I've no problem though saying where you sit is wrong, cruel and offensive. If you want to understand the issues at a deeper level, go watch "I am not your [censored]" at ACMI. It's a searing exploration of the mindset of those who feel its ok to oppress others, and make them wrong for it.

You must be deaf my friend... or clueless.

A great step by the AFL to add its weight to removing the stigma and oppression of a minority group in our society. The fact that so few (any) AFL players are prepared to openly declare their homosexuality is indicative of the sad and toxic oppression they endure. Good to see Australia is growing up.

Jones and Goodwin are critical of Jacks preparation off field because it's inadequate and it sets a poor example to other younger players. For example, would we want Petracca, a similar high talent player, modelling his approach to his AFL career on Jack Watts? I'm for sending him North for the best deal we can get. 9 years is too long.

Swans gone... hahaha and another year closer to their window being shut. I hope it burns.

I too think Jack is gone. For a senior player of Jack's talent to be dropped twice in the first year of a new coaches tenure is asking to be traded. And I suspect Goodwin will review our list with half an eye to players he would trust leading into finals and a GF, and Jack would be very low on that list...

While Stringer on his game is very talented, with Hannan, Petracca and others roaming forward, with a lot of development in them, it's not a pressing need. Unless they (and Stringer) are being prepped for more midfield time... A new start in a fresh environment, offers the chance at redemption and he's a talented player.

I want this to be true... so shall believe it for a while. How exciting is this!!!

I thought we had one coming through the F/S program in Kobe Farmer..? Too soon?

Sounds similar to Jeffy, needs a change and came good at MFC...

I thought Goody's postmortem observation that we started to fall away as a team from Round 15 is interesting as it also coincided with Jacks loss of form and him being dropped to the VFL... How much can a team trust and rely on a player who went missing in one of the most crucial periods for the MFC in the last 5 years?

You tell us what you'd trade him for? I've every confidence in the FD getting a good deal should it go that way...

Yep another year of inconsistent, teasing, weak, brilliant footy by our Jack...

Noticed on 360 footy that Jack Watts was nominated as our most likely trade player... so figure I'd ask the question. Do we trade Jack Watts? Or not?