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The below was devised as I am a hapless Deez supporter surrounded by bandwagon drug-addled Eagles fans in WA... and attempts to remedy the eternal query... Watts or NicNat? ie Should Deez have taken NicNat/ Why didn't they/ What were WCE options/ How it shaped our future... Synopsis: - WCE would NEVER have taken Watts as they had a massive glut of key forwards at the time (Lynch, Graham, Edwards, Kennedy, McKinley, Jones, Hansen) - MELB had a massive hole at the key position area, and had no immediate need for a raw ruckman (ie CHF = Neitz, Robertson, Miller, Holland, Dunn) - In saying that, in my opinion, Melbourne made a MASSIVE mistake in retiring Jeff White who was in career best form. Even though his retirement allowed Jamar to blossom, it was a massive step backwards as we STILL don't have a reliable 2nd ruck to this day. Paul Johnson (a WCE reject!) was the 2nd options at the time....; - NicNat has ONLY prospered as he has been allowed to flourish behind the BEST ruckman in the comp. He has a millionth of the pressure Watts has to perform at his position. - At the end of the day, in 2008, WCE were 2 years removed from a PREMIERSHIP! They still have premiership players to this day! Against that, Demons finished 5th, and have NEVER finished higher than 12th after that year! How could ANY player "thrive" in that environment? - To wit, if WCE took Watts, he would be The New Age Hansen - a capable back-up playing on winning teams. - If Melbourne took NicNat, as at 2012 he would STILL be a "raw talent" averaging 10 hitouts, but less than 5 possessions per game, and more renowned for his hairstyle and dating Lara Bingle... - Somwhat of a moot point, as WCE intended to take Rich if they didn't take NicNat... - Conclusion: WCE's winning culture enabled the ultimate fruition of NicNat. Melbourne/ Bailey's rebuilding plan set the club/ Watts back uncalculable years in maturation... Watts needed a Neitz to teach him... instead, he saw capable senior leaders, ala Robbo, Yze, White shown the door, leaving a #1 pick who was still playing against HIGH-SCHOOLERS (Note: NicNat was playing WAFL with ADULTS, AND was a year older) to lead a team of rabble into a new era???? WTF DID THEY THINK WOULD HAPPEN!!! Ultimately, I think both teams made the right draft pick...its just the rest of the list management which proved to be heavily deficient! Too-early retirements, bad picks elsewhere.... Example - how's Lucas Cook travelling...compared to Jack "Everyone Knew Who He Was" Darling!!! The Stats! Watt if… 2008 Draft (ie 2009 onwards) #1 Jack Watts (Melbourne) – March 1991 #2 Nic Natinui (West Coast) – May 1990 Years preceding West Coast, 2006 (Premiers!), 2007 (5th, lost Judd, gained Kennedy, Masten & Notte), 2008 (15th), 2009 (11th), 2010 (16th), 2011 (4th) Melbourne, 2006 (5th), 2007 (14th), 2008 (16th), 2009 (16th), 2010 (12th), 2011 (13th) 2005 (WCE) [Tyson Stenglein; Jaymie Graham; Mark LeCras; Aaron Edwards; Matt Rosa; Mitch Moron; Shannon Hurn; Matt Priddis] (Melb) [Clint Bartram; Matthew Warnock; Matthew Bate; Lynden Dunn; Nathan Jones] 2006 (WCE) Mitch Brown (16), Eric MacKenzie (29) [ben McKinley; Will Schofield] (Melb) James Frawley (12), Ricky Petterd (30), Colin Garland (46) [Michael Newton; Simon Buckley] 2007 (WCE) Chris Masten (3), Brad Ebert (13), Tony Notte (20), Scott Selwood (22) [Matt Spanger; Josh Kennedy; Beau Wilkes] (Melb) Cale Morton (4), Jack Grimes (14), Addam Maric (21) [stefan Martin] IF Melbourne had taken Natinui #1 in 2008: they already had Jamar (2006, 23yo: He averaged 10 hit-outs and 4 disposals and kicked 10 goals and 2 behinds for the complete season; 2008: Jamar played 14 games and averaged 8 disposals and 19 hit-outs and kicked 4 goals. He ranked 9th in hit-outs per game; 2010: averaging 29 hit-outs, 12 disposals and three contested marks per game, with four goals over the first seven rounds All-Australian) and Jeff White (age 31, 2004 AllAustralian, 2005 facial injury. 2005/06 3rd highest hitouts, 2007 career high 18.5 disposals, Dean Bailey replaces with Jamar) Paul Johnson (2005-2010); Stefan Martin (2008) West Coast takes Watts?: Already had Lynch (2002); McDougall (2002-2006); Staker (2003); Hansen (2004); Graham (2005); Edwards (2005); Jones (2007); McKinley (2007); Kennedy (2008); Spangher (2008); Wilkes (2008); Notte (2008) = buried! Natinui highest career hitouts = 457 in 2011 White = from 2004-2007 never lower than 461, highest 532 2006 Jamar = 643 in 2010 (first full season) Watts Scouting Report An athletic, strong marking tall forward with pace who is an excellent shot on goal, Watts was a Vic Metro U18 Representative in 2008, winning the Larke Medal and All-Australian honours. Strong-marking forward who oozes talent with his ground-breaking pace and his exceptional ability to read the play. The reliable kick for goal was a standout at the U18 championships and a member of Vic Metro’s winning team, earning All-Australian honours and the Larke Medal. Still playing for his school in 2009! Natinui Rising Star nomination 2010! Ruckman who can do it all. Outstanding athlete, with admirable vertical leap and serious pace. Tackling is also a strength. Dual U18 All-Australian. “We’re really pleased to have Nick at the club. How much he plays next year will depend on his preparation and his form ... it is a step up and we will manage him through that.” Club 2009 Plays WAFL