Hannibal

Exciting, isn't it ?

Happenstance.

Things can change quickly... You're now 30, 2 of your 3 favourite players are gone, and you were "really excited about the direction the club is heading". It headed for the kind of disaster rarely seen in sport. But who can blame you ? Most are optimists at heart.

What part of my assessment isn't on the money ? Watts' talents and gifts as a footballer have never been in question. I've queried his appetite for contests and his will to influence games. I question his hunger and commitment to be the best he can. I'll back Roos to have a crack at making Watts the player he's capable of being. I'm not certain he'll succeed, but if Watts commits he'll at least become a very good player even he doesn't fulfill his talent. I give Watts a hard time because I know what he's capable of.

You're a child, so I accept you'll be silly from time to time.

Rubbish post.

If he were to make it I reckon it would be as a small back. But I've lost confidence he'll take the next step.

Of course he does. he's backing himself to get the best out of him. FMDTSTCOH

No, I have an obsession with him competing. You know, putting his body on the line for the team. I don't know anyone who ever thought he'd be a "gorilla", let alone now. I look forward to seeing what Roos can do with him. It's his last hope. If he can't succeed and understand what is required in AFL footy under Roos, he never will. He most certainly doesn't now.

I admire the courage of someone to post such crap.

I can only be honest. I was very disappointed with his game yesterday. In particular his marking attempts. But half-hearted chasing efforts were also obvious. You may think I'm a broken record, but it's the player in question who hasn't changed in the last 5 years and my observations remain the same accordingly. If i was applauding his efforts you'd have no problem. Do you only want to hear nice comments ?

Yes. i thought it was one of his softer games. He didn't hit bodies when he should have, he didn't chase as hard as he should have and in general he tiptoed around the edges. There are times when you have to hit your opponents body first with your torso when flying for a mark. You do this to better position yourself and have them off balance. Watts avoids this and missed marks he should have taken accordingly. He's a terribly soft footballer. But yes, he's a great set shot for goal.

There was no bullet to dodge.

Too kind. Too much benefit of the doubt. Half true, half wrong. Does avoid contested marking situations. But hopefully will improve this failing. We live and learn. P.S. I miss you.

If I was him and I had about 5 Vic clubs that wanted me, I'd not meet Melbourne either. Why meet the club if I have a preference for others and I'm fortunate enough to have a number of suitors ?

That may be hard given our present plight, but it also isn't necessary. Robert Walls loves telling a story about Craig Lambert. He told Lambert that they'd be taking him as they had first access to him. Lambert said I won't play for you. Brisbane took him anyway. Walls rang Lambert after the draft and Lambert told him to go and ... Lambert cooled down and decided he had no choice, but to go, as standing out of footy for 2 years wasn't much of an option. He stayed 18 years in Queensland. He stayed on as a coach after he retired and loves the club. You've just got to get players onto your list. If you become a good club the rest takes care of itself.

I'm not sure if this has been posted, but: "Carlton and Geelong are understood to be leading a four-club assault on reluctant Gold Coast midfielder Josh Caddy. Caddy, who last week told the Suns he wanted to return to Victoria to continue his career, did the rounds this week in Melbourne, speaking with four clubs after narrowing his options following huge interest from most clubs. It is believed he had previously declined an invitation to meet with Melbourne." It's going to be very difficult to get players to want to come to us without offering silly dollars.

I reckon he'd be pick one, but it still makes our pick 13 a "live" pick 12 on the basis of the remainder of the pool. At one point it looked like Essendon were going to finish in the 8 and he was going to be picked up at around 16. Them finishing outside of the 8 bumped our pick up by one. But I understand what you mean.

What do you mean by "I agree with the rest of your post though" ? I said King's assertion was "ridiculous".

I have to back the club on Caddy and whether they think he's worth pick 13. He's been underwhelming thus far, but he looked fantastic against Geelong. I think I read that straight after the season he was going in for a shoulder reconstruction, so I wonder how that impacted his game. David King calls him a "star", which is ridiculous, but at least I know that Melbourne recruiters should have a pretty good handle on him - far more than most of us. It's worth noting that our pick 13 is really a "live" pick 12, as Daniher will be going to Essendon for pick 10.

Yes he will. He'll have a "preferred" club and GC will want to be compensated adequately. I agree that there's no guarantee that he'll get to the club of his choice, but in the early stages both he and GC will try and make it happen.

If I was Caddy the last club I'd choose would be Melbourne. Also, he's had a bloody average year, which was confirmed by his 17th placing in their B&F, despite being one of only three players to play every game. At this time of year every opposition player seems to be a "star" for success starved Melbourne supporters.

I've seen him play one ripper game against Geelong and plenty of ordinary games. He was terrible against us at the G. But as I said elsewhere, I accept he played injured for much of the year and also had little support, as Rischitelli, Prestia, and Swallow for various reasons didn't have the expected output. Do I salivate at the prospect of getting him ? No. Would I be happy to get him ? Yes.

Caddy was one of only 3 players to play all 22 games this year for the Suns yet finished 17th in their B&F last night. Khunt finished 12th.

I see Caddy has the staggering total of 3 possessions to half-time. He virtually never gets any of the ball.