I had assumed Josh Mahoney had been misquoted when he was reported to have said “we shouldn’t be having these conversations after nine years”.
Had presumed what he really meant to say was ….. “we shouldn’t be having these conversations after 53 years”. That it was a heart felt apology on behalf of administrators and coaches to long-suffering Melbourne supporters.
Apparently, am incorrect. It was in fact a reference to Jack Watts. The popular, former number one draft pick Jack Watts. The man Paul Roos described as one of the best people he had met in football.
While it is clear Mahoney, Simon Goodwin, Nathan Jones and Garry Lyon will not mourn his loss, there are plenty of supporters who will. I count myself among them.
Gary Lyon lectures me and others of the need to be cold hearted and dispassionate. Funny, had thought emotion, ownership and passion are hallmarks of supporting a team. Within reason it’s what makes being a member of a club special. Apparently am misguided.
What disappoints me most, is that Jack Watts was hung out to dry. Public condemnation. Suspect it was the club sending a message. But suspect would not be the only one who felt uncomfortable about the comments which made Jack’s departure inevitable.
So likewise I have a message. The Melbourne hierarchy had better be right. In trading Jack Watts we lose some heart and soul. It needs to be for a purpose.
(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)
The purpose and clear message is that for Melbourne, their time is now. Watts out for pick 31 and Jake Lever in for two first round draft picks suggests no more five-year plans. Footscray, Richmond, Melbourne. Well, finals at the very least. Just hope Hawthorn, Footscray, Collingwood and St Kilda aren’t reading this.
One may wonder when a players fails to meet expectations whether it could ever be seen as a coaching issue. I was musing over that in Round 22 in a match that Melbourne had to win to make the finals. It was at the point when Melbourne found themselves 40 points down in the first quarter to Collingwood. It was a match they lost to an undermanned side which finished thirteenth. Sometimes I wonder about the accountability of coaching panels.
But really the Jack Watts humiliation factor was being traded for pick number 31. Pick 31!
No longer are names like Hodge, Kruezer, Goddard, Murphy, Gibbs and Scully counted among his peers.
His classmates against which he will now be measured are Jason Tutt, Ariel Steinberg and Malcolm Karpany. To be fair it also includes Jordan Roughead, Kamdyn McIntosh, Jackson Merrett and Daniel Howe. And I believe firmly he can be better than Jason Tutt.
But it is my intent to turn Jack’s departure into a positive. To look forward, not back.
I need a new favourite player as you can’t have your pin up boy running around in another jumper. My new favourite player hasn’t been born yet. It will be pick 31.
Like an expectant parent, don’t not know who it is, or what it looks like. Could be a “run with”, link man, midfielder, tall or small. In this day and age don’t even know it’s age or gender. And that’s a healthy thing.
Can’t wait to set eyes on baby Jack, alternate Jack or substitute Jack. Just hope that my new favourite player is not an inferior Norwegian veal substitute.
In the meantime, Vale Jack. Good luck at the Power.
Daz
Roar Pro
Ok, I've just run the numbers. Based on the 2017 lists 321 players have one of their original clubs as private school team. This includes Christian colleges. So not the majority. Of course this doesn't count players who went to a private school but didn't play for their school.
Daz
Roar Pro
No, they won't be favourites... except for: Andrew McGrath (Brigton Grammar) Jobe Watson (Xavier College) Joe Daniher (St Bernard's College) Zach Merrett (Melbourne Grammar) Martin Gleeson (St Patrick's College) Brendon Goddard (Caulfield Grammar) Aaron Francis (Prince Alfred College) David Zaharakis (Marcellin College) James Stewart (Scotch College) David Myers (Wesley College) Mitch Brown (Mentone Grammar) Patrick Ambrose (Xavier College) Kyle Langford (Ivanhoe Grammar Travis Colyer (Trinity College) Jayden Laverde (Penleigh & Essendon) Yestin Eades (St Patrick's College) Jake Long (Scotch College) Dylan Clarke (Melbourne Grammar) Matt Dea (Ballarat Clarendon College) As Pumping Dougie says, lay off the whiskey.
Daz
Roar Pro
No its a completely unauthenticated statement based on anecdotal evidence of looking at lists. And I recall Max Gawn once mentioning something about he being one of only a handful of public school students.
Slane
Guest
Pea-hearted players never change.
Matto
Guest
True he is only at sandilands/mumfords level right now. Do think you are underrating his defensive pressure. Should reach Cox level in the next few years. Hasn't reached typical ruckman peak age yet.
truetigerfan
Guest
And no doubt you do, Mr Gooch!
I ate pies
Guest
Naitanui is still average. He can jump, that's about it. He can't find the footy and he can't kick.
Matto
Guest
Yep. The fact we think that so often when reflecting on drafts probably means we over rate higher order picks. It's not a unique thing to AFL either. Freo def "won" the draft period in my eyes but its just as likely its because b.matera turns into a star instead of their pick 2 turning into something great.
Bill larkin
Guest
Watts, nice bloke and all, lacked consistency and focus. Two things Port also lack. Watts and Motlop can both play good games at times, but they are not the answers Port seek. Melbourne will be stronger without Watts.
Bill larkin
Guest
Bloody hell, more incoherency. You have no point.
Seano
Roar Rookie
We will take them but they wont be our favourite! Thats the point.
Cat
Roar Guru
Hindsight is a wonderful thing isn't it?
Matto
Guest
" the media, all the talk, the draft combine, the data pointed to Pick number 1 in 2008 was always going to be Jack Watts" Says a lot about the media the draft combine the data doesn't it. Had no reason to pick him other than it was obvious he was going to be an athletic freak and the ruckman of his generation :P
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Any stats on that Darren? I know many of the talented kids get scholarships with private schools, but I doubt they represent the majority.
Daz
Roar Pro
I take it Essendon will not select any more private school boys then. Most players in the league went to private schools.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
I think you need to work on your grammar before commenting, Seano. ? Or put down the whiskey.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Not when it mattered. Disappeared as soon as snow appeared on Mt Hotham.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
I agree Watts could be used better and potentially made a consistently useful footballer. I also agree he's a lot better than Ty Vickery. Watts is a tall elite kick with running endurance, plus he can take the odd good mark. He should be used as a half-back flanker or wingman and be the nominated kicker to deliver it beautifully inside 50. But I think it's an insult to Jack Riewoldt to suggest Watts could become like him - I see daylight between Watts and Riewoldt in terms of their psyche, hardness and competitive spirit. P.S. Good article DA.
Gecko
Guest
The difference is that Ty Vickery was a lumberer and the game has less and less use for lumberers, whereas Watts is a more agile big man. There is still time to turn Watts into the next Jack Riewoldt. Port took a gamble but there's enormous upside if Watts can develop more confidence and a more rounded game.
Seano
Roar Rookie
Only a Demons supports favourite player would be a pampered white bread private school boy who admits he doesn't even like football that much and goes to lunch a sport jacket! Spare me. This article explains the last 53 years.