watson will struggle to play seventy games.
can't contested mark ,can't run can't bend down and hates body contact.
I'd rather mark Austin. watto just does not have the physical attributes to play the modern game.
give me Jack daring or issac smith anyday.

and th at has nothing to do with improvement. watson can't change his body to become afl athletic.

everyone is a developing player Hartlett was as was Benjamin livingstone and plemming too and everyone else who has appeared on our list.
its about making it.

Are there any elite forwards available: Yes

Are they good kick for goal under pressure: Yes

Long kick: Yes

Great hands: Yes

Talent: Tonnes

Age: Has maybe 2-3 years left (coincides with our premiership window with Judd)

What draft picks would we have to give up to get them : None

What would their salary be : minimum rookie salary (maybe with team based incentives not individual).

Whats the catch? His contract would have behavioural clauses up the wazoo

Do we want a premiership badly enough to risk him? : ........? (no?)

interesting watching clips of watson last year. there are a couple of games where is pitted against jack darling.

watson won out when reading the play better - a 'smart footballer' (based on video footage) versus a mobile/athletic footballer.

darling was the winner when competing body to body and on the lead.

I see the dilemma we have as supporters that only watch the game............he doesn't appear to fit the 'modern' mould.

clearly the recruitment team has a vision and is far more credible than I. No doubt it will be a journey....an investment.....and i say good on him, as a 19 year old he has far more time on his side than this 50 year old desperate supporter.

Lets look at the options.

How many spots are available now?

Laidler Jamison Yarran

Duigan Henderson Scotland

Simpson Gibbs XXXX

Robinson Waite Garlett

Walker xxxx Betts

Warnock, Judd, Murphy

Kruezer, Carazzo, X, X

So there you have it, there aren't too many postions available.

We need an up and coming full forward capable of pressing, therefore sorry Fev, alternative is a CHF and Waite moves to FF.

Lucas could develop into being a wingman he has an elite kick, needs to get harder and fitter. While we wait for him, Armfield has the spot.

Russell needs to force Scotland from the team and get his spot back. Scotland had a great season, but is over 30.

Bench needs another big bodied midfielder. Kruezer is capable of Rucking and pushing forward, but isnt a KPP, so get over it.

So who is off

Houlihan
Austin
Kerr
Levi - just doesnt work hard enough, so he has wasted 3 years of our time.

Maybe look to trade, Setanta, Thornton and McLean while we can, GC or GWS need ready made players.

I know he's a bit skinny, but is there any chance Pat McCarthy can have a go as an athletic marking forward?

Still no.

waite is a footballer like everyone else.
if we got what we need for him you have to look at it like we did kennedy who is twice the player and much younger.
waite has given us very little and is now coming to an end of his career.
why would we not put ourselves in a better position by trading him?

Because we wouldn't get anybody better for 2012. You mentioned Kennedy. You surely don't think that by trading Waite we are going to get somebody of Kennedy's standard. If we trade Waite we get someone of Waite's standard. We already have him. Clubs trade for specific needs when they are in their premiership window. Ours is opening. We need a key forward so you propose trading one of the few we have to get someone who may or may not help using the short term. We are beyond trading for a potential key forward. We have several of those on the list being developed. We need one now. Trading one away would mean we need two.

That's why IMHO, trading him would be a mistake.

Why don't we concentrate on a thing called development!! It will be the difference between the elite and the rest more than ever.

the modern game is about runners mobility and agility.
watson lacks the prerequisites to be successful go the modern game.
when the ball is bobbing around at his feet he searches for it like a blind man.
he can't close on a forward and gets turned inside out because his turning circle is wide.
I hope he can do it but very sceptical