Past #36: Shannon Watt - drafted at #14 in '97 ND - 155 games - 0 Brownlow votes - original whipping boy

[Groucho]

I dunno maybe Watt's not a fullback, or decent defender of any description, but I think he has skills that can be utilised. I'd like him to start on the wing or half forward (was recruited as a forward) just to see what else he has to offer,may surprise! Unfortunately I'm certain he'll line up on Lynch next Saturday.

 

[1jasonoz]

Why not try Watt in the forward line(FF)? He's a big bloke, and might be able to use his muscle ala Lynch to get the ball.

 

[greg]

Yeh, I tend to agree with you Croucho on Watt, I never really thought he was a true KP player as he doesn't really play body on body footy that well. (although it's always easier to be an expert after the exercise)

Watt has probably been a victim of our depleted ready to go KP stocks and was probably as good a bet as anyone else we had to groom for FB.

However for the moment I cannot really see who else we can play there except for Brown or maybe giving Le Gras a shot, but I think I'd rather start Le Gras in the BP until he picks up the game.

I reckon Shannon's go is more using his pace running thru the lines. I think he does actually look pretty good when he does get a chance to charge down the ground. I wonder if he could be developed into a good runing half back, a bit like a Kingy or Martin Pike, he might even snag the odd goal.

 

[gokangas]

Watt was on the trade list last year - Melbourne and Carlton were keen but we couldn't do a deal (seemd to be the outcome of all the trades for us). Suggest his price has gone down so far this year.
Hang on - we did do one trade - snared that gun recruit McKernan for a couple of youngsters, but didn't want Coops, Guerra, Davey................................

 

[Darky]

Originally posted by greg
a bit like a Kingy or Martin Pike, he might even snag the odd goal.

I like the Martin Pike comparison. Watt is a bit bigger, but I see him as very capable of playing that sort of role, and won't be as exposed as he is by being left to play man-on-man in the goalsquare.

Doubt he could down 347 cans and front up to the family day though!

 

[Yianni]

Originally posted by Darky
Doubt he could down 347 cans and front up to the family day though!

It's naysayers like you who need to get behind Shannon and support him!

I'm sure with Dean's and your support, Watt WILL down those cans!

 

[Darky]

Originally posted by Yianni


I'm sure with Dean's and your support, Watt WILL down those cans!

Dunno about Dean's, but he's got my support. I'm good for about 29 of those cans.

 

[greg]

Originally posted by gokangas
Watt was on the trade list last year - Melbourne and Carlton were keen but we couldn't do a deal (seemd to be the outcome of all the trades for us). Suggest his price has gone down so far this year.
Hang on - we did do one trade - snared that gun recruit McKernan for a couple of youngsters, but didn't want Coops, Guerra, Davey................................

Interesting that Watt was on the trade table, I hadn't heard that before. Any idea who we wanted for him?

I must admit that I was a bit disappointed we didn't give Davey a go, we could have got him for bugger all, but we wern't the only ones infact the entire league didn't rate him. Melb gave up a two bob rookie pick and it turned to gold.

 

[greg]

Originally posted by Darky
I like the Martin Pike comparison. Watt is a bit bigger, but I see him as very capable of playing that sort of role, and won't be as exposed as he is by being left to play man-on-man in the goalsquare.

Doubt he could down 347 cans and front up to the family day though!

Yeh, Shannon strikes me as more the type that is at home having afternoon tea with his Great Aunt.

 

[gokangas]

They were both offering middle draft picks from memory - Melbourne were super keen - Kangas wanted a tall player.

I haven't given up on Watt - I think he should be given a chance in the forward line and see what he can do. As a full back he is just not good enough.

 

[tashibatts]

Originally posted by gokangas
Watt was on the trade list last year - Melbourne and Carlton were keen but we couldn't do a deal (seemd to be the outcome of all the trades for us). Suggest his price has gone down so far this year.

Very interesting.. he seems one of Laidleys favorites..

Would we try trading him again this year?

Go Roos

 

[greg]

Originally posted by gokangas
They were both offering middle draft picks from memory - Melbourne were super keen - Kangas wanted a tall player.

I haven't given up on Watt - I think he should be given a chance in the forward line and see what he can do. As a full back he is just not good enough.

Thanks,

I think your right, Watt could still make it in some fashion, he could also perhaps be given a run on the bell a bit like Browny last year.

 

[Royal Blue And White]

I like the idea of Shannon on a hbf. Could be a good go to man. Has great disposal and can run like the clappers.
Getting Brown has really given Laids the freedom to try Shannon in a different position and if ever we have a player who could fit the Pavlich mould its Shannon. He is talented, theres no doubting it, and I dont really want to look back on him as the guy that was always made to look like a complete goose at FB.

 

[Darky]

Originally posted by greg
Thanks,

I think your right, Watt could still make it in some fashion, he could also perhaps be given a run on the bell a bit like Browny last year.

Not a completely unfamiliar role either.. has rucked in the then-reserves, and a little in his first half a dozen or so games. But if the question marks on his ability to be a FB are based around a lack of hardness and aggression, I don't see the ruck being much of an option. You need balls to go in there.

 

[Moti]

Too much talent to get rid of. If not at FB, he must be tried elsewhere.

In 2000, I thought he should have been played in the Elimination Final (the one where we got belted) and played in the ruck against Barnes. At this time he had shown some talent for the position.

Neitz was a pretty average footballer at 22 and Watt has a little time on his hands. He could become a good half forward as he could provide a target up the gorund.

But again, we have no option other than to play him, and he really hasn't been that bad this year, as he really hasn't had any help from our "great" midfield.

 

[gokangas]

I just don't think he has the football smarts and reckon he will be traded at the end of this year. But I also though Adam Lange was the next Wayne Carey.

 

[tashibatts]

Any idea which talls from Melbourne/Carlton we were after?

Go Roos

 

[gokangas]

As I understand it the clubs put around a list (spoken only) of players they may be interested in trading if the deal was right (probably almost the full list).
Clubs then approach with an offer. Melb and Carlton both showed interest in Watt but didn't have the talls to trade.
Carlton also wanted Makepeace but Kangas said not available.

 

[Moti]

Play Gary Ablett in defence and see how you go.

He does have footy smarts, but his ability to anticipate a fowards actions is not one of them, simple.

Play him across half back or up forward and he will be a different player.

 

[tashibatts]

Originally posted by gokangas
As I understand it the clubs put around a list (spoken only) of players they may be interested in trading if the deal was right (probably almost the full list).
Clubs then approach with an offer. Melb and Carlton both showed interest in Watt but didn't have the talls to trade.
Carlton also wanted Makepeace but Kangas said not available.

Rightio.. thanks..

Go Roos

 

[NeoBlaze]

Centre Half Forward if he's as bad as you all say he is at FB. He was brought to the club as a CHF and it'd take the pressure off Petrie a bit

 

[Angus1]

After watching the Footscray game again I was convinced that this bloke should not play another game for the year and should be delisted at years end however seeing though we are playing Brisbane this week and will be lucky to get within 10 goals of them I was thinking maybe we could try him at Full Forward. It sounds crazy I know but I think we all know that if he plays fullback again he will be murdered like he always is so why not give him a run up forward. If he fails up forward then tell him to pack his bags and look for a country club if there is one that actually would want him.
Full forward is a position that is available because we don't have one at the moment who has even looked like kicking a goal (except Brown of course who I think would make an excellent fullforward but no one seems to agree with me.) We wouldn't have anything to lose by trying Watt at fullforward but if Watt lines up on Lynch then expect a massacre.
We need to try a few things different this week. The current system doesn't work and JYD needs to realise that.

 

[Squizy Taylor]

Originally posted by Darky
I like the Martin Pike comparison. Watt is a bit bigger, but I see him as very capable of playing that sort of role, and won't be as exposed as he is by being left to play man-on-man in the goalsquare.

Doubt he could down 347 cans and front up to the family day though!

I dont think he has anywhere near the football smarts or skill or hardness of Pike.

I compare Watt to Trent Croad....he should be a good footballer, but just isnt.

For me, he either plays fullback or plays for Port Melbourne.

 

[Squizy Taylor]

Originally posted by gokangas
As I understand it the clubs put around a list (spoken only) of players they may be interested in trading if the deal was right (probably almost the full list).
Clubs then approach with an offer. Melb and Carlton both showed interest in Watt but didn't have the talls to trade.
Carlton also wanted Makepeace but Kangas said not available.

Let them take Makepeace, unless doctors are prepared to break his legs and make him 5 inches taller.

He gets exposed for height far too often...and sometimes it can cost us games.

 

[kangafruity]

I suppose it was Troy's fault that Brady Rawlings kicked it to him like he did.
If our gun(supposed) midfielders tried as hard as Troy did with the talent they have the problems of the Roos midddle ATM would be solved.