Round 14 - Blues v Western Bulldogs (Aftermatch Aftermath)

[crashlander]

I don't think that the gameplan would make any difference.  Watson doesn't work hard enough and doesn't have the attributes to be a KPP (and that's a complete turnaround from my opinion at the start of the season).  He is a bit like Jones really.

Rowe was recruited as a key forward but I don't think that he can read the play well enough to be a success as a forward.  He is a lot better as a defender because his opponent gets him to the right spots . . . most of the time.

I really would give Watson a chance under our present game plan. It is working more effectively, so one can never know. I doubt he is going to make it at this point, because you are right: he doesn't work hard enough. But I would give him a chance and not just one week.

Rowe wasn't THAT bad a forward, in the SANFL. He also did his share of ruck work. He was found wanting in that role at AFL level, and he wasn't the first under that game style either. His first half season in defence was a shocker, but he has improved in that role hugely. By the start of 2014 you worried about the fumbles, but not about how he played the game. By the end of 2014 he was our best tall defender. He still needs to improve as he tends to fumbles too often: taking his eyes off the ball? Reaction time not quite right? Whatever.

Rowe appears willing to do the hard yards to make it. Watson hasn't been so far.
Jones is the interesting question. He has demonstrated that he can be very handy, but his best and his worst are too far apart and his worst is on display most of the time. We have given him a 3 year contract: that is a serious error in judgment. Don't know what we can do about that.