Ouch!

.... please stop with the crap! he's a fringe player at the team that was in the bottom 4. Balic is untried, and has been bought into the team for Depth. No need to compare him with Watts, stupid comment to make!

FYI they also traded out Brendan Ah Chee to West Coast, not that he was a regular contributor this year for Port. They have strengthened their list no doubt, they have some very good players in Gray, Dixon, Ryder and Wingard. They are a good shot for the top 8 and look likely for the top 4, but its too early to tell. Essendon with Stringer, Saad and Smith have improved their list more than Port IMO. That said, with Lever and Balic in, and Watts out, it's still a net gain for our team, and the list has been improved.

This is true, but they also went on to make comment as to why they want him to explore their options. That gets out in the media, rumors fly around other clubs and that is why things can sour. The suggestion he didn't prepare well, or hasn't got the most out of his ability etc. There is generally only one way to perceive that.... and if everything is rosy you wouldn't have asked him to explore his options in the first place.

From the average supporters perspective, these players are 'playing a sport' sure its at a high level, but it's a sport. So those who aren't as invested in the 'personal' aspect of the players, what they go through etc will never understand what they go through. This time of the year will bring up a lot of crap... just be selective of how deeply you dip your toe into the swill!

... being a little harsh? I actually think poita is presenting a fairly objective perspective on Smith. Smith had a really solid preseason, and a lot of us were excited by what he could bring to the team, the Rnd1 Injury killed his season, and he did qualify the comment by saying it was 'almost a wasted year' of development. Smith didn't come back anywhere near as strong as most would have hoped after the injury (Watts anyone?) but I think Smith will play more VFL than AFL, but still got a lot to offer the club at present I believe. The question of where does he fit into that defence is valid given the inclusion of Lever to the side.

Thats the point, If Jack indicates the club, I would be amazed if that trade takes more than 24 hours to facilitate. Sounds like he is hanging onto the prospect of playing for Geelong if at all possible, and given Geelong got pick 19 and the Ablett trade being their priority he won't nominate Port until the last moment.

Still confused.... Until Watts indicates where he wants to go, how is the MFC able to facilitate a trade with that club? The MFC encouraged Jack to see who out there is interested, and it looks like at least three clubs have been keen. I know that some clubs might be put off by what the MFC might be wanting for Watts, but most people seem to think it's a second round pick which is neither outrageous from the MFC's point of view or flattering for Watts either TBH. I don't think that the MFC have managed this anywhere as poorly as the Stringer situation with the Dogs, but we are not after a top 10 pick either! Name your club Jack, let the MFC facilitate a trade for you with that club and lets close this thread off!!!

Problem at the moment seems that Watts hasn't nominated a club. He nominates the club, they discuss options. Don't think it has helped that the free agency decision by Motlop seems to be linked (at least in terms of the picks that could be on the table!)

Not a bad article, and sums up what most here would be feeling, .... one way or the other.

Schache and Weid were drafted in the same year, Schache was clearly identified at the better forward in his draft going @ 2 in the draft. Are we saying Collingwood want Weid because of the name association with Collingwood? Why wouldnt they just grab Schache?

Point is the snide comments of some people aren’t necessary, I like a lot of people expect he won’t be here next year, but the ‘gun’ comment shows a lack of class and respect for a player on the way out. Pretty clear I would have thought!

Take a look at who came 22nd... ? That guy must be worthless in your eyes too huh? Watts beat Gawn by 36 points... and true Gawn played 3 less games, but even if he had 3 best on grounds on those missing games, he would not have beat Watts.... Fair enough that you think he should be traded, but show some respect FFS!

A bit confused after hearing people talk at the B&F, and mixing that with the message of Josh Mahoney ... I get the feeling that they will genuinely trade him, but the club is setting the price high. My gut is that they have a few trades in mind but they need some decent picks. 2018 will show a true indication of Watss worth whatever happens.... the MFC Will not be losing a Watts for a firesale price... but I think he will still leave the club given there are three to four clubs after his services

Dwayne reporting the cats. Sam lansberger reporting he is definitely headed to Port.... Dwayne back-pedalling!! None of them have a clue....

Pretty certain it’s from a vic club, so is isn’t Shiel. Sidebottom or Isaac Smith is my guess... but I’m horrible at these games!!

Still early days for me, showed in a couple of VFL games that he can be a focal point, but his role in the VFL is unlikely to be the same in the AFL at this point. Hogan and TMac are the key forwards. Would like to see maybe a 6-10 games and a little more impact on the scoreboard in those games, but building mass and and the frame to support it will be key to 2018 for him. Is he going to need to start learning some ruckcraft as well?

Just remember Nth had an offer in front of Kelly and Martin rumoured to be 1mil-1.2mil over 5+ years.

He won't be involved in anything at Collingwood until after this trade period. Guy has already said Lever is at the MFC. Not too much to worry about.

I'd advise you not to look in the Jack Watts thread....

Fair point that Nixon identified Watts pretty early on, but I thought the smoke started with that first thing that Jones put out about Watts a week or two back....

No, he's not right yet. Watts is still at Melbourne and I thought Mahoney's interview this morning still indicated a fair chance he can still be at the club next year with a very clear set of expectations attached. Saying Collingwood are interested is not rocket science, they are perennially interested in most players most years. It's like Nixon saying Essendon and Dodoro are hard to deal with in Trade week.

Fairly certain both Goodwin and Jones spoke in the media before it was announced that Watts was spotted in Adelaide. Could be wrong,...

I thought the Geelong model was no one earns more than the Captain??

A mate of mine just visted the Hawthorn Museum yesterday. I told him he needed to find a nice place to store their ex-CEO. .... didn't expect him to let out Kennett from the Fossil exhibition though

Jade Rawlings, Nick Stevens, Luke Ball (.... almost) Lever can say he wants Melbourne all he likes, until the point that it breaks down and he heads to the draft. If it falls through and he goes to the draft, other clubs only have to match his asking price. Nth Melbourne and the Saints would be able to easily cover Levers asking price. Saints don't need his type, so might be fine, but Nth need to plug a huge number of holes everywhere on their list. Collingwood would not be too far off getting him and have a pick too and a need for his type as well. Going to the draft is a very big risk for Lever and the MFC and Adelaide get nothing. Doesn't work for any party!