Hannabal

I got Garland wrong. I have no problem admitting that. Back pedalling is making excuses. I make none. I hope he continues to improve. Btw, who are you ?

I have a stalker And I never back pedal kid.

Thanks for the caps, we may have missed your point otherwise.

I'm pretty sure that that was a fair while back. Much water to go under the bridge and I very much doubt that he'll do a Ju$$ and demand Richmond.

Incorrect. That said, I've put myself out there hundreds of times over the last 6 years and I could count on about 2 fingers the amount of times I might have gone too early, or regretted a stance. Keep swinging, try hard.

Thanks. I reckon in 6 years of posting Garland's improvement has surprised me more than any other player. I'm happy to wear a little egg and pleased the lad is starting to show something. It might surprise you, but I'd actually like players wearing red and blue to do well, as I'm starting to worry that I may not see a flag before I die. You'll note, however, that I've never 'completely' written him off or called for any delisting, etc. His pace was always recognised, he could take a mark, but his decision making was diabolical. He's improved immensely. As for Wonaeamirri ? I love Aussie, but have seen plenty of his type. All clubs need a dangerous forward and not all have them. I'm glad we do. At the time of posting he hadn't done a lot, but he's certainly a fixture in our team. I am sold on him, but as said, I've seen lots of Aussies. Now go back to your miserable outlook on the MFC and keep searching the Net for any more gems. Or even better, come up with a few pearls of wisdom yourself.

Frawley has good pace and good size, but there are some concerns. He's a poor reader of the ball in flight, he spends too much time worrying about his opponent only to be easily out manouvred. Even smalls like Medhurst have made him look silly in a marking contest. He has ability, but lacks footy smarts. We could have had Jack Riewoldt. I wish we did. But Chip has scope for improvement.

Sums up your posting career.

It's not so much "line breakers", but genuine class. Bartel, Selwood, Ling, Corey, etc aren't line breakers, although Ablett, Chapman and Wojinski have toe, but it's how they use the ball that makes them such a devastatingly quick team. But you're right. We're last for a reason and our midfield is our major concern. I'd still take Watts in a heart beat.

Palmer will be a good player, but he does remind me of Hasleby, who won the RS in his first year. In fact their first years are remarkably similar and there was much hype about Hasleby all those years ago. He never got much better than that first year. Once Morton fills out his frame he could become a very difficult matchup for any opposition. Granted there are a few ifs and buts, and Palmer may be a surer bet, but Morton's potential exceeds the Freo blokes. There's a reason recruiters rated Cale higher and it was never based on what they'd do in year one, but what they'd do in year 4+. Read that last sentence again. Over and over.

What assessments ?

Happy to win 2, but we must not win 3 more games. We need 3 picks in the top 20 of what some are saying could be one of the best drafts ever.

I can't believe some of the crap that spews forth from your keyboard. Have you seen his shoulders ? They're broad. Have you seen his 20 year old Brother at Hawthorn, who is a similar build at 191 cms and has already started to fill out ? Keep clutching at straws.

You really are a dill, Mo. He's an 18 year old kid that shows genuine class and an ability to find space, yet you say he "seems lost". He won the Larke medal for best in last year's u/18 TAC carnival and was renowned for his skills, especially by foot. He's 192cms and 79 kilos which means he can't yet hold his ground in one on one contests, or break tackles. These things effect his confidence and decision making. The pace of the game has never been quicker and he's still feeling his way. His turn of speed is excellent and as he bulks up and gains experience all the natural attributes he possesses will ensure his footy improves. There are so many footy stupid supporters on this site it makes me cringe.

He has ability, but will never be a reliable key forward. We could persist, persist some more, and then persist some. Like we have with many other NQR footballers. Or, we could bite the bullet and send him on his way. That said, I'd give him one more year.

Nah, it's massive. He's 206cms (although it's been stated elsewhere he's now 207cms) and weighs 94 kg. He's put on 20 kilos since arriving at the club. His playing weight in a year or two will be 100+ kg. He's very skilled and athletic for a player of his height plus he has tremendous running ability. He also gets plenty of possessions around the ground for a young ruckman. He's 21 and only in his second year of AFL football. As stated, the upside is massive.

I don't want to pay much for him either, but don't underestimate his upside. It's massive.

How many times have you seen him play when you've been at the ground ?

I'm slowly beginning to warm to you, Boi.

It was a very enjoyable day at TBO, although some felt the cold - I found it quite mild . You should've popped down and watched the boys play Super_P. You would've liked what you'd seen with Ricky and Addam.

Some people are adept at spotting great talent and others aren't. Watts is rated by the experts for a reason. The fact that you fail to see the upside and pedigree is of no concern to those that can. And don't feel bad about it. It's ok.

Like Morton, he'll compete next year, but only fools will expect much.

Who here has said he'll be an "instant fix' ? Quotations would be appreciated.

If ever there's a ringing endorsement it's you sharing a contrary view. And seeing that you're talking about "going by your own eyes", ask me this kid, how many times have you seen Watts play live ? Don't lie now.

There are very few 194cm KPPS that have a low centre of gravity, it's usually confined to mids, but Watts is born with it. He has recorded a time of 2.79 seconds for a 20 metre sprint which is elite for even a midfielder. His coach David Dickson states that he has the best hands he's seen in a marking contest in his time coaching Vic Metro. He moves beautifully and has great evasion skills when he's in traffic. He's a sensational kick for goal and has alround exquisite skills. And when you recognise that he is bottom age for this draft and only qualifies by a month, and understand that he's going to get physically stronger once he reaches AFL level, then you realise he's a very rare package. I'd most liken him to Riewoldt, but there's a touch of James Hird. He's just been voted best player for the entire carnival, but some are a little disappointed by what they see on tv in one game. He's a great mark, exceptionally fast on the lead, a superb kick, 194cms and great when the ball is on the deck. He's the complete package. He kicked 5 against SA and 4 against Vic Country and remember these games only go for 80 minutes. They're about 2/3's of an AFL game. WA were so concerned about Watts that they allowed Vickery and Lynch to become targets one out. Gibbs is a good player, and so is Murphy and Kreuzer, but none of them have the upside of Watts. Nor does Goddard at 1 or Wells at 2. I understand the love affair with Naitanui, but I've seen him live twice now and he has some remarkable traits, but footy nous and footy skills aren't amongst them. Watts will be taken by the Dees if we're given the chance. And rightly so. Neitz kicked over 600 goals but never had the sheer class of this boy.