Little Richard

Well I have never played AFL footy and it is clearly a different game to club level. But these days at the top level you very rarely get coaches playing someone in a permanent pocket role because of the need for so many midfield rotations, so it isn't really a true indicator.

Hah I can accept that, as I said it is obviously personal opinion. Bit rich coming from you though isn't it? Keep on pushing your agenda when people aren't in agreement mate.

Fair enough, all in the eye of the observer/player of course. Just out of interest do you play at the moment rpfc?

Pretty simple process though isn't it? There is a lot more responsibility and requirement playing off half back. After all your talk about Watts needing a real mean streak it doesn't sound like you enjoy the physical side of footy much.

I have tried it, I wouldn't assume to know how difficult a position is if I hadn't played the game. That is a naive description of HBF. How about being accountable for your man and knowing when to zone off?

IMO the easiest place to play is in the forward pocket. All you have to do is position yourself in front of the pack and wait for the ball or lead up and take a mark... pretty simple.

Come on, how about you show the same faith in Watts that people have shown in Sylvia for the last 8 years? Watts has some good things to build on; exceptional disposal bordering on elite, great composure and agility, pace and strong hands one on one not to mention good awareness.

Ah it is a subject for discussion and debate because you created a thread about it. How about you have a little faith in Neeld (who you seem to have a lot of belief in) to teach him these things. He has come along in leaps and bounds this yea and he will get better, have a little faith.

I mean, how do you think Watts should be playing? Because if you are going to say that he should be splitting packs in half and kicking bags every week from CHF, its time that you accepted that he isn't that kind of player and probably won't be.

How should it be played in regard to Watts? If you explained this, sorry I must have missed it among all the other posts

Maybe pick 13 if we can snare Viney in the second round but only if this kid is ready to go! Don't want another 'project player'.

Good point, has Range Rover even suggested a solution?

Apologies, missed Rockliff, Rich and Sloan but I think Watts has been a better pick up than the others. They have looked good for periods but not hugely convincing yet. As well as that, most of those players are at strong clubs, with plenty of senior experience around them so who knows what they would be like at the MFC. Obviously we often retard the development of many a youngster.

Wishing your mate all the best, amazing the bonds formed through love for a footy club.

Just from the articles or have you heard something outside the papers? Hope we hang on to him.

I think another logical choice could have been Hurley, but I am glad with who we ended up with. As much as I support Watts I've accepted he won't become a superstar CHF/FF although I am happy to be proven wrong in the future. What I think we do have is a prototype 196cm half back or outside midfielder. With excellent disposal, strong marking and pace Watts can become very valuable for us as a winger or HBF who is very very difficult to match up on. Everyone claims that NikNat is a phenomenal athlete (he is), but so is Watts. There aren't many 196cm players with the agility, speed or composure through traffic that he has. RR you say he is scared of physical contact but what I see is someone who through traffic is extremely able in dodging tackles and avoiding opposition players when he has the ball. Also, people claiming that he plays as a spare back man are just unwilling to accept the fact that Jack is exceptional at reading the play and zoning off his man, or their eyes are clouded by images of a naked Nic Natanui, as I imagine RR's are.

That was Tom McNamara though, played about 2 games.

Which players? After doing a quick read of the draft, the players I would consider or choose over Watts would be Hill, Sidebottom, Shuey, Zaharakis, Beams, Robinson (mature pick up so would never have been top 10 anyway), Hartlett and Yarran. On the fence with Hurley.

I don't think 9 pages of your preaching is going to change the draft strategy of our club RR. If you aren't already, you should become a lawyer with arguments like these.

Shane Tuck would be a good pick up, shouldn't cost too much and really knows how to find the ball. Would definitely be an upgrade on someone like Moloney. Am very keen on Clint Young as well, offers exactly what we are after; pace, good footskills and a bit of class. Like Tuck, shouldn't come at a hefty price.

I just don't think we have the players to get there next year. However depending on how active we are in the FA/Trade period I may change my view. But I think/hope we could be pushing up around 10th if a few things go our way...

Spoken about media scrutiny, the fact that he doesn't see all of it (though it seems like he is pretty aware of what is said) and the unreliability of a lot of it. Praised Clarks attitude and positive effect on the squad. Hinted at experience and roles influencing the way we go about free agency and improving the list at that time. Said he wasn't comfortable talking about Cloke and said 'There hasn't been an offer from the MFC and he's not coming here'. Explained that experience is not just 40 games into a player but 40 good games etc. Something about other coaches but didn't quite catch that!

On now?

I believe a little while ago Mick Malthouse called Watts the best rebounding defender in the league, which is ridiculous. As is that article.

Probably because there is nothing to be gained by this, and the fact that no one wants to encourage the rubbish that you are producing. It's just getting sad now.