Watts up with Jack Watts?
The 2008 number one overall pick in the AFL draft has clearly not met the expectations placed on him when he arrived on the AFL scene. Some believe that being drafted by Melbourne which at the time was short on credibility and lacking a good culture was his ultimate downfall in his quest to become an AFL superstar.
His performances at both Melbourne and Port Adelaide have some now questioning whether he belongs in the AFL or on the scrap heap that many under-performing AFL footballers end up on. His recent exploits have highlighted his commitment and dedication to the game, although it was a legal substance, the fact that he didn’t recognise the pure idiocy of his act and the current climate we live in, it’s easy to question his position in the league.
He’s not the first and definitely won’t be the last, but as someone who played AFL growing up, the fact he is wasting his talent away is a real shame, just look at his draft class: Chris Yarran is no longer in the league, dispatched because of off-field issues and Jack could suffer a similar fate.
Now I believe in second chances, but I’ve always wondered wouldn’t it be a valuable experience for players to work as bricklayer, plumber, carpenter and so on, working physical jobs for long hours to achieve a fraction of what an AFL player of Jack’s standing would earn.
I realise that it isn’t feasible with the hours they spend training, recovering and attending school clinics, but I believe wholeheartedly that players would appreciate the lifestyle associated with being a professional AFL player or sportsman has. Now the scrutiny and pressures of playing a professional sport, especially nowadays, is extreme but the pressures of raising a family and making ends meet also seem comparable.
I dreamed from a young age to play AFL not because of the money, but because of the love of the sport. Sure the money would be nice, but how fortunate would it be to each day go to work doing something you love? Safe to say not many of us are lucky enough to experience this feeling.
(Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)
I could also rant on about Bernard Tomic, Ben Barba and others but the simple fact remains – if someone told you could earn $250,000 a year doing something you love, and in return all you have to do is act like a responsible adult, stay out of trouble and not be on the front pages of the paper, I’m sure most of us would accept those reasonable terms.
Sports leagues mirror society and there’s always going to be a select few who cannot meet the expectations required, but to Jack or whoever is next, seriously, Watts are you doing?
Lroy
Guest
Exactly, they treated him like an 8 year old kid who forgot his colouring in pencils.
Aligee
Roar Rookie
Totally agree, the people that need to apologise are the people like Koch and the AFL and Gary Lyon who made him apologise!!, who knows what they threatened him with!, he has nothing to feel bad about. It’s no one else’s business bar maybe a girlfriend etc who may want to know what happened ????, but the ‘righteous’ AFL media’ quite frankly make me nauseous.
Lroy
Guest
He is single, he gets a a couple of months a year to let his hair down at the end of the year... he was on the trip of a liftime and was filmed snorting some powder of a buxom woman's breast. was pretty clear he had consumed a number of beers since he could hardly stand, since when was that a hanging offence? I hope he finds out who the prick was who leaked it to the media, you dont need people like that in your innter circle.
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
Can't help but think this whole article was just an excuse to use that "Watts are you doing?" punch line. On the scale of sportspeople acting badly, this is clearly a 1 out of 10 at most. Anyone who has been to Oktoberfest knows this is just par for the course. Nothing wrong, consenting adults just being a little drunk, and being a little silly. All been there. Of course, if this is just a way of having a go at a #1 draft pick, who hasn't lived up to your expectations, then that's fine. Just say so. Make that the basis of your argument. Some might respond by saying your expectations probably don't affect his life too much, but we'll wait for your judgement before responding as such.
Carl
Guest
He may not be a number 1 pick on field. But off field for the last year, probably many years previously, he has been working really hard on his game. Just type Jack Watts and swimming in your favoured search engine. There would be a number in the minority who would be doing similar recreational activities. Just like the rest of society. "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy". He just forget "Though shall not get caught".
Aligee
Roar Rookie
Please explain what he has actually done wrong ?, IMO absolutely nothing, except apologizing for his behaviour.
Rob
Guest
Thats so unfair. Who hadsnt snorted coke off a strippers breast?? Seriously though this guy has the talent it just doesnt look like he has the desire - i was hoping that a change of scenery might jolt him into action but just doesnt seem to have happened...