spirit of norm smith

A free hit. He was very good in under 18 year so worth a punt. Could be another forward mid option like ANB & Trac

DG , sorry but I need gumboots and a shovel. 2016 Watts was 5th in a Demons B&F with 38 goals and was 6th in 2017 B&F before injury. Last 2 years showed its mids that get the votes but Wattsy stood up. Watch his efforts v blues v cats v Tigers v Magpies v Bombers. Kicked crucial goals and for 5 weeks he Carried the ruck in Gawns absence. Was it training standards or consistency or performance? Watts was very very good for 18 months. Fact. His skill and class won us games. Clearly his injury and form suffered. History will judge the decision.

Ditto. Some questioned his ‘consistency’ and then character and then courage and then performance. Ultimately we will miss his versatility, class, skills and goal kicking. Plenty of 6’5 agile types. Never going to be a contested bull like Oliver, Viney or Jones. A team is made up of many types. 2017 JW review in summary ... not enough to withstand Goodwins bite.

No. I spoke to Col in August before the Lions game. Said he was looking forward to 2018. Maybe a throwaway line but not sure it will be a retirement or a ‘suggestion by the coach for list management’. He had a contract for 2018. Col is a great bloke, loyal and gave it 100% despite our lowly positions.

Garland deserves another year. But loyalty and contracts mean nothing.

I think the communication from Goodwin to Watts was ‘fuc£<#off’. Another PR disaster. It is not the WHAT, it is the HOW it is done.

Pill hill

Make Him The New Whipping Boy

Called for an extra shovel given what is being served up here

Wrong call in my opinion. Just an opinion. Continue to put my heart into the Dees as I have done for 40 years. Thank you Jack.

Really. Ever watched a game. Now you question his courage. Move on. Just acknowledge he had many strengths both on and off the field. Goodwin has made a statement which we want applied now to all. Many many now on notice.

Yes draft pick is very poor in a shallow draft but overall we Agree again. We are on a roll.

Agree. I think many others will be having a hard conversation. But confused by setting standards and then allowing others to stay on I can’t see how Kent stays given 5 years of nothing and was disciplined this year. Not even within Watts sphere for talent. I can’t see how Bugg stays. JJ social media. Unbelievable behind the play incident !!!

Yes I think Tom MCD turnovers will not be tolerated any more. Had 6 years of it and not improving. Showed ability up forward and of course was a key forward in the under 18s

Perhaps only 3 suitors when MFC says Watts is to be traded due to non adhering to team standards and character requirements. Not a great sales campaign Agree that missing finals hurt. It was a kick in the guts. But remove missing finals as due to Watts!! that was due to inconsistency by the WHOLE team (excl Oliver) and poor Jesse Hogans many issues. Didnt see Watts in the last quarter v Lions when they kicked 5 goals in 7 minutes. 22 others that day turned a percentage boost into a heart stopper. That and the Magpie loss effectively killed our season.

The whole management of this has left a sickly feeling to all involved especially the supporters. Time to move on but reflect on how poorly it was done. Agree pick 31 in a poor draft year is the proverbial packet of chips. Hope MFC is not paying any of Watts salary in 2018. That would be simply incredible to believe !!

Opinions are what they are. Overall... It is an ugly saga which we would all laugh at if it was at 17 other clubs. Not well managed by any party.

Another loyal Demon. I spoke to him in August and he was going well with rehab and expected to start in the late October preseason training. He is 100% Demon. Showed great fighting spirit despite our low spots. Maybe Demons wanting to free up more salary cap room !!

221 pages of emotive posts. No Range Rover nor snow skiers on Demonland. We are a resilient tribe. Jack Watts remains on the Demonland banner for a few more hours. Maybe it has been our version of the Truman Show !! We gotta laugh or we would all go mad.

Disciplined preseason (once) and played a very good first 12 games until injured and loss of form. Don’t forget he signed a 3 year contract and after one year, the club says ‘now fuc&$off’.

Summary to date #1 pick in 2008 draft. Handed Norm Smith’s #4 Jumper. A world of expectations. Debut - Thrown to the wolves at 17 versus the filth on QB. Matures into tall forward, 3rd tall (not key forward) with roles in midfield, back 50 or ruck as needed. Develops into a good player but not the #1 star that was hoped. Becomes very popular player to majority of supporters and through the club, but also the whipping boy to the media & others. Top 5 in 2016 B&F. Signs to stay at Demons for a 3-year contract to end 2019. Preseason issue 2017 with his preparation. Not selected in a preseason match. Very good first half of 2017 - 6th after round 13 - then injured, loses form and is dropped. Comes back for final game and named in best 6 (afl.com.au & the age real footy). 153 games. Put up for trade. Goodwin says due to creating a culture of all meeting required standards. Mahoney says because Watts is in a ‘rut’ and needs fresh start. Watts is portrayed as being negative to the clubs standards. Watts wants to stay at Demons but when the coach wants you gone, it’s impossible to stay. 215 pages of emotive content on Demonland represents the feeling that this has created. The next chapter awaits ...

Yes agreed. Saw him on grand final day. Looked like a good mover. Good size for a mid. Looks like an athlete and long kick. Worth considering at 28-35

Pass on all. Go to the draft with 3 selections

Agreed. But appears to be a lost cause. Kent had a few beers, copped a suspension and stays!! Obviously on less coin!!

Packet of chips here. Pick 65 ish