Two deals were done on Tuesday, leaving plenty of players still waiting to know their fate with only two days left of AFL trades in 2017.
Jack Watts traded from Melbourne Demons to Port Adelaide Power for pick 31.
I’ve seen more than a few people calling this deal a steal for Port Adelaide and if I’m being totally honest with you, I’m baffled by that.
I’m not a Jack Watts hater, never have been, but I certainly must have been at home sick the day we all decided he was a great player.
You’d have to be quite the cynic not to hope the bloke is able to get a good fresh start and play some really good football at his new home though. Best of luck to him and best of luck to Port Adelaide.
I guess we won’t really know for sure until 2018 just how wise a decision this one was – in direct contrast to my take, Ryan Buckland reckons it caps off a perfect trade period by Port Adelaide.
(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Brendon Ah Chee and Hawthorn Hawks’ 2018 fourth-round pick traded from Port Adelaide Power to West Coast Eagles for West Coast Eagles’ 2018 third-round pick.
A fairly minor piece of business in the end, potentially a good Moneyball recruit for West Coast but as a general rule I always think that if you’re taking a player from someone else’s reserves then you’re getting a reserves player.
What will be very interesting to see in future years is if Brendon’s younger brother Callum Ah Chee sticks with the Suns or also comes home to WA, and if so, does a West Coast connection put them in the box seat?
Callum is the much more highly rated talent of the two, a top ten pick just a few years back, and the Suns’ retention issues are well known.
But back to Brendon – all things considered, a shuffling of future third and fourth-round picks as a close as you’ll come to a genuine freebie while still actually paying something.
If he does anything good at all for West Coast then it will have been a worthwhile deal.
Harsh Truth Harry
Roar Rookie
watts is ok
Daz
Roar Pro
Some of us MFC members are very disappointed that he was made a scapegoat, perennial whipping boy, and epitoome of our problems. A more loyal servant you couldn't find... even after all the stick he's been given over the years. Melbourne will come to regret giving in to the relentless negative pressure from outside the club.
Christopher Price
Guest
Just checking how many games you have actually seen jack watts play , be honest remember he has played 153 , another do you think he was in a winning environment? I'm interested what you come back with really interested
Mattician6x6
Guest
Very happy to get him to wce. Agree with your assessment and with bringing in rockcliff, the emergence of spp etc the writing was on the wall and reckon he's a bit of a steal.
Big Pete
Guest
Brendon Ah chee is not a reserves player Port have many similar type players and just cannot fit them all in he is young with a lot of upside as shown with his best on ground in the sanfl grand final
Big Pete
Guest
Brendo Ah chee is not a reserves player Port have many similar type players and just cannot fit them all in he is young with a lot of upside as shown with his best on ground in the sanfl grand final
Mattician6x6
Guest
Excellent pair of mits and a goal kicker, I'm with you mate he will be a better pick than most will think. Runner up in magarey medal, 2 goals in sanfl decider which was a low scoring 1pt game, and a pa magpies b&f in a grand final year. For a reserves player thats a pretty decent resume.
truetigerfan
Guest
Very harsh, Bob! Very harsh indeed. Was offered very little support or assistance from day one at the MFC. Here's hoping he is the difference when Melbourne face Port. Give it to 'em, Jack!
Bob GOOCH
Guest
What is the report that MFC members are upset that our " Sheep Dog " Watts has been traded ! Nothing could be further from the truth - better late than never, couldn't come soon enough - never good enough, long overdue
Timmuh
Roar Guru
I expect Watts will be a much better player away from Melbourne. Melbourne, Carlton and (sadly for me) North have severe problems getting the best - or anything near it - out of players with any sort of ability. Yes, there is the occasional exception, but not many from any of those three.
WCE
Roar Rookie
Ah Chee is a good pick up for WCE . this boy can handball a huge distance and will help our midfield. If West Coast are also chasing a small pocket player then whats the future for Karpany??
Stephen
Guest
Josh, I respect your views and regularly agree with them. On Watts however - I beg to differ. Watts is a finisher. And they are hard to find. To be that cool in front of goal takes a calm demeanour. The flipside of that demeanour can appear lazy. But finishing in front of goal is underrated in todays game. One behind instead of six points is one thing, but then you lose possession, allowing the opposition to quickly play-on. And simultaneously deflate your team mates who work so hard for the shot at goal. Good finishers like Watts, Menzel etc. are sadly victims of 'forward pressure'. The truth is not always found in a crowd.