Demonkings
Team Captain
I am a little saddened by what has transpired with Watts, and I agree that he has been a central figure to the MFC's plight over the last decade. But there is the point: in that decade there has been no success whatsoever. Not one final. So when it comes to good times and bad times, there were only really bad times as the only good times that really count are the ones Richmond supporters are lapping up now. Let alone finals appearances. And making finals just to lose them really sucks too, I can remember that much from over ten years ago.It's going to be very interesting to see how he fares at Port as he enters what I believe will be, or at least should be, his best years as a player.
I'm torn on the decision. Overall I'd rather have kept him than given him away for a pretty measly pick as his quality leaves a gap in our collective skillset. He is also in fact rated as elite for forward pressure, though I understand that doesn't pass the eye test some weeks.
By the same token his down weeks were clearly not of an acceptable standard to the coaching group and they are hell bent on setting standards for the younger players.
So I can understand the reasons to be in favour of the move. What I can't understand is to be so emotionally detached that you're not the least bit saddened by it.
Watts wasn't an ordinary player by any stretch. Yes, he was part of the generation that symbolised previous failures. However his rise under Roos' tutelage coincided with the club's rise. In an emotional sense he has been the central figure to the MFC's plight. Good times and and bad. For him to be moved on now is ultimately, at a very basic level, sad.
It's okay to put the club first, but if you're not saddened by this whatsoever then I can't help but feel you've missed out on a large chunk of what it has meant to be a Melbourne supporter over the past decade.
This year threatened to bring good times, but ultimately the team wasn't capable of ruthlessly booking a finals spot. Near enough was good enough until it was unfortunately, not good enough. Does this remind you of anyone? Through nine years very much central to the MFC's plight.