I was at that Pies versus Demons match. TBH, it felt like Collingwood were barely trying for the most part. It was raining for a lot of the game and Collingwood seemed to be moving the ball wherever they liked. Sometimes they seemed to pissfart around with it for a bit cos they just knew Melbourne could do precisely nothing to threaten them.
I'm surprised number 1 draft pick Watts lasted as long as he did with 11 seasons and having played 174 games, there's been much better players who finished up playing a similar amount of games.
@@cjcrrazy It's more that I'm surprised for a number 1 draft pick that he didn't do much within that timeframe, whereas players with similar games played overall who did much better.
The tall youngsters are under more pressure if they are drafted at no. 1 or 2 as it takes them longer to develop. It's also challenging for recruiters to predict how quickly a 200cm, 18yo key position player or ruckman will develop - or even whether they will fulfil their early promise at all.
It a such a nightmare period for the Dees. The tanking, the premature deaths of Stynes, Wight and eventually Bailey and the drafting of two mediocre midfielders ahead of the greatest big game player to ever pull on a pair of boots. We all thought that no club could ever implode as badly a this and then the Bombers came along and made Melbourne look sensible.
Part of it was the fact that their mistery coincided with the introduction of two expansion teams. They robbed anyone of the chance to compete by rebuilding - and also ensured that no one else could top off or trade to compete with Hawthorn. It's about to happen again as Tasmania comes in - you definitely want to get a winning list now as if you are down when they take all draft picks then you are down for a decade.
I remember Leigh Matthews saying in a game - I see nothing in him that would make him a number 1 draft pick. In WA the hype was always over Nick Nat, even if west coast had the choice they would have definitely picked him over Watts, despite his rawness and lack of footy IQ, more on potential and marketing ability.
When asked, I think Bailey said that they put him out on the field because they wanted to “give the fan something“. Such talent but he was recruited into a bloody clown show followed by an even bigger clown show when Neeld was put in. Probably the worst development you can imagine.
Thanks again for another insight TSE. I remember the Watts hype. No media training for the kids back then and Dees supporters are a very fickle bunch. A kid against men in a crap team on one of the biggest stages. Only one way it was going to end. The media, darling one week and scapegoat the next week. Sensationalism sells stories, not the truth.
Sorry that's not correct. He was considered to have more potential but many recruiters didn't know what to make of him. He was extremely raw and there were many who felt he was nothing more than pure athleticism and highlights without much substance in terms of footballing ability. Watts was the consensus number 1 pick and while time has shown that naitanui mostly lived up to his potential(mostly as injuries caused him have an interrupted career) Melbourne had no choice but to pick watts as they would have been crucified if they didn't and nic nat left after a few years due to homesickness, which was a big concern for them. The mistake Melbourne really made was how they used him. He was a key forward, he needed time to develop and they didn't give it to him
Watts was a good player. He was just at a bad club. He played lots of games - kicked lots of goals. He just wasn’t a number 1 draft pick. Melbourne supporters were not supportive - they were ignorant and savage.
Back then clubs had no clue how to bring young players through. Melbourne were as bad as any. Blew up promising careers as a matter of course……one after the other.
His debut didn't ruin his career. Even Nick Maxwell pointed out that Watts got a free kick from that tackle. Clearly we should have picked Nic Nat . Watts just didn't have enough drive and aggression to get the most out of himself . And of course the Dees were a basketcase but he could've been a better player.
He seems like a nice, intelligent guy with a a life outside footy, unfortunately those guys aren’t 100% footy nuts devoted to improving, with a hint of arrogance and assholeness which you need.
Jack watts was great at lower levels, but way too slow at afl level. The amount of times he was caught while making up his mind what to do was outstanding for me. This was all Jack, not the way Melbourne treated him. This vid is a bit of a cop out.
I was at that Pies versus Demons match. TBH, it felt like Collingwood were barely trying for the most part. It was raining for a lot of the game and Collingwood seemed to be moving the ball wherever they liked. Sometimes they seemed to pissfart around with it for a bit cos they just knew Melbourne could do precisely nothing to threaten them.
We had him at Port Adelaide. Nice guy. Played good footy. Like having him at our club. Sad to see him get injured. Wish him well.
His nickname was “the gift” as he was gifted 100 games at Melbourne.
i remember that classic photo of jack sitting with his classmates just before the draft,he was twice the size of them
Sacking Neale Daniher for Dean Bailey was a massive mistake even at the time I thought it was wrong as Daniher was a great coach
That was the issue. Melbourne had a decent list. That squad could have played finals consistently but the football department was a joke
@effkay3691 Dean Bailey just ripped up Neale Danihers' plans and got rid of nearly everyone in his first year
I'm surprised number 1 draft pick Watts lasted as long as he did with 11 seasons and having played 174 games, there's been much better players who finished up playing a similar amount of games.
He was actually decent in the end. Way worse busts than him.
I vaguely remember hearing around 4% of players play 200 games , so 174 not bad, you’d take it for his career if he was a 10-20 pick
@@cjcrrazy It's more that I'm surprised for a number 1 draft pick that he didn't do much within that timeframe, whereas players with similar games played overall who did much better.
Excellent piece TSE. Perhaps a similar number one glorified pick prior to this was Richard Tambling in 2004
The tall youngsters are under more pressure if they are drafted at no. 1 or 2 as it takes them longer to develop. It's also challenging for recruiters to predict how quickly a 200cm, 18yo key position player or ruckman will develop - or even whether they will fulfil their early promise at all.
It a such a nightmare period for the Dees. The tanking, the premature deaths of Stynes, Wight and eventually Bailey and the drafting of two mediocre midfielders ahead of the greatest big game player to ever pull on a pair of boots. We all thought that no club could ever implode as badly a this and then the Bombers came along and made Melbourne look sensible.
To be fair treners could of been anything if he’s foot problems didn’t let him down but my god can you imagine we took dusty over scully
Part of it was the fact that their mistery coincided with the introduction of two expansion teams. They robbed anyone of the chance to compete by rebuilding - and also ensured that no one else could top off or trade to compete with Hawthorn. It's about to happen again as Tasmania comes in - you definitely want to get a winning list now as if you are down when they take all draft picks then you are down for a decade.
I remember Leigh Matthews saying in a game - I see nothing in him that would make him a number 1 draft pick. In WA the hype was always over Nick Nat, even if west coast had the choice they would have definitely picked him over Watts, despite his rawness and lack of footy IQ, more on potential and marketing ability.
When asked, I think Bailey said that they put him out on the field because they wanted to “give the fan something“. Such talent but he was recruited into a bloody clown show followed by an even bigger clown show when Neeld was put in. Probably the worst development you can imagine.
Great professional reporting.
Collingwood sort of did that with Nick Daicos but had the Opposite Effect
Collingwood had a much better team and situation to Melbourne
Thanks again for another insight TSE. I remember the Watts hype. No media training for the kids back then and Dees supporters are a very fickle bunch. A kid against men in a crap team on one of the biggest stages. Only one way it was going to end. The media, darling one week and scapegoat the next week. Sensationalism sells stories, not the truth.
Watts was playing good footy at Port when they put him in the backline.Then he badly broke his leg and that was basically all over for him
I remember Naitanui always being more hyped up and considered the better player.
Sorry that's not correct. He was considered to have more potential but many recruiters didn't know what to make of him. He was extremely raw and there were many who felt he was nothing more than pure athleticism and highlights without much substance in terms of footballing ability. Watts was the consensus number 1 pick and while time has shown that naitanui mostly lived up to his potential(mostly as injuries caused him have an interrupted career) Melbourne had no choice but to pick watts as they would have been crucified if they didn't and nic nat left after a few years due to homesickness, which was a big concern for them. The mistake Melbourne really made was how they used him. He was a key forward, he needed time to develop and they didn't give it to him
I remember jack watts was my favourite player then he went to port adelade
Melbourne screwing it up as usual.😂
Melbourne of the 2000s, only the current norf could make them look good.
Melboune Being Terrible was not Really Watts Fault as he is just 1 player
Its hard to be a great player when your coach wants the team to loose
IF he was Drafted by a Better Club in 2008 he might turned out to be a Good AFL Player
Personally, I dont think he wanted it that much, Even in the early years he never worked on his body, he didnt seem to want to work too hard.
real, Melboune genuinely failed Jack Watts
Watts was a good player. He was just at a bad club. He played lots of games - kicked lots of goals. He just wasn’t a number 1 draft pick. Melbourne supporters were not supportive - they were ignorant and savage.
Looking back at his kids highlights, sure he stood out, but I don’t understand how he went at pick 1.
Reid & watts similar height? Watts is 10cm taller.
Melbourne failed Jack Watts, good thing Paul Roos helped develop him the way he did.
Back then clubs had no clue how to bring young players through. Melbourne were as bad as any. Blew up promising careers as a matter of course……one after the other.
My mind goes to Jack trengrove who's career ended in obscurity
His debut didn't ruin his career. Even Nick Maxwell pointed out that Watts got a free kick from that tackle. Clearly we should have picked Nic Nat . Watts just didn't have enough drive and aggression to get the most out of himself . And of course the Dees were a basketcase but he could've been a better player.
He seems like a nice, intelligent guy with a a life outside footy, unfortunately those guys aren’t 100% footy nuts devoted to improving, with a hint of arrogance and assholeness which you need.
Jack watts was great at lower levels, but way too slow at afl level. The amount of times he was caught while making up his mind what to do was outstanding for me. This was all Jack, not the way Melbourne treated him. This vid is a bit of a cop out.
The joint.captaincy of Trengove and Grimes was as well a horrible decision.
Why is Jack Watts sooking after being gang tackled when its not illegal in the game
maybe because he didn’t have the ball
@joelcurry4771 he had the ball when he got tackled he dropped it
Watts his name
I remember Collingwood put 2 players on him. They believed the hype too. Absolutely brutal lol.
Melbourne made the mistake of picking a Brighton Grammar player, they have always been soft as butter.
Tom.scully is another one