One thing I love about Watters

[Legendary]

One thing I love about Scott Watters ... and it is straight from the Mick Malthouse handbook ...


His treatment of young players.


He gives them a decent opportunity. You are not selected for 1 game to fill someone else's place and then straight back to the reserves.

Examples include:

- Dunnell: has been given three games in a row. Has started as the sub but has been given opportunities three games in a row, and IMO he has improved in each match. Has started to find his feet and actually show what is possible.
- Newnes: played 3 in a row and then 2 in a row. Had some continuity. Showed a lot, particularly against the Tigers. Was actually asked to perform an important role as a small defender.
- Saad: not so young, but was given 5 in a row to start with and this was a solid opportunity where he really showed what he was capable of. Has used that to cement his place in the team for the rest of the year.
- Cripps: played 5 in a row and then 3 in a row. Crucially did not start all games as the sub, but had a couple of full matches where he could learn.
- Milera: had 13 in a row, enough said. Will be a player.
- Siposs: had 2 in a row and then 3 in a row. Won a Rising Star with this opportunity.
- Stanley: had 8 in a row. Gave him confidence. Really found some form pre-injury.

The exception is Ledger but that has been discussed elsewhere (played Round 2 only).


All these guys have really grown in confidence with their opportunity.


The other reason I like it is because when the kids come in, they are expected to be a valuable part of the side and play a role. Not just exciting youth, but contributing to the team and to the structures.

Watters have managed to give great exposure to our list this year, whilst maintaining a good balance of experience. IMO for this aspect of his coaching in 2012, he gets a 9/10.

[savatage]

Well said & totally agree!

[joffaboy]

I love the way he has gotten us to the lofty heights of 10th.

Was getting bored with all those GF appearances with that hopeless Lyon who refused to play anyone new ever because he was so crap.

Yay, we might be out of the eight, but look at that %

[defacto]

i just wish we played ledger and ross against gold coast or the doggies

[joffaboy]

i just wish we played ledger and ross against gold coast or the doggies

I just wish that devil Lyon had have played Tommy Walsh considering the impact Walsh has had at Sydney, we lost the equilivent of Lockett, Barrassi, Carey, amd Matthews all roled into one.

Ledger is just as good apparently

[mr six o'clock]

Oh !

I thought you were going to mention his beautiful arse !

[Beekay]

Who exactly are you arguing with, joffaboy?

How did Lyon go in his first season? Different lists, yeah?

Can't people support the coach and invest faith in some youngsters?

Wtf are you on about?

[saintbrat]

i just wish we played ledger and ross against gold coast or the doggies

From a couple of comments I have seen ,from the player himself it may be that Ross is still working up to the stamina, physicality if Vfl, Afl and has some niggles being managed, still playing but not being pushed to breaking,

If you understand my roundabout logic

[SainterK]

Who exactly are you arguing with, joffaboy?

How did Lyon go in his first season? Different lists, yeah?

Can't people support the coach and invest faith in some youngsters?

Wtf are you on about?

11 wins, 9 losses, 1 draw.

[saintgee]

It may be true for most, but his treatment of Ledger has been appalling. Averaging 24.9 possessions per game with Sandy, doesn't get a look in

[clarky449]

Yep, Watters has the luxury to do that, while we arent in the race for the premiership anymore. Quite easy to do that when we are on the way down. Bloody Ross Lyon.

[defacto]

i just wish we played ledger and ross against gold coast or the doggies

From a couple of comments I have seen ,from the player himself it may be that Ross is still working up to the stamina, physicality if Vfl, Afl and has some niggles being managed, still playing but not being pushed to breaking,

If you understand my roundabout logic

definitely understand what youre saying and agree. still think you could play ross as a sub and now push him to breaking. especially against a side like the dogs wear we were very much on top

[Richter]

Agreed Legendary. It seems as if Watters almost has a set number of 'new' players that he feels must be played in each game, hence more experienced fringe players like Polo, Peake and Ray not getting so much of a look-in.

You forgot Simpkin who he has given an extended run to as well.

[Legendary]

I love the way he has gotten us to the lofty heights of 10th.

Was getting bored with all those GF appearances with that hopeless Lyon who refused to play anyone new ever because he was so crap.

Yay, we might be out of the eight, but look at that %

Nothing to do with that. Pointing out a positive about Watters does not mutually exclude also being positive about Lyon or the last 5 years.

I loved Lyon and I still do. I actually think he would have played a lot more kids last year had they not all been injured for large parts of the season. And I still think he will enjoy significant success with Freo.

-----------------

Ledger had a great pre-season and got plenty of opportunities.

In the early part of the year through until May/June, his skin folds grew by a significant amount and his training intensity dropped off.

The coaching staff demanded that he get his skin folds under control before he would be considered for selection again.

His selection as an emergency last week shows that he has responded and the coaches have recognised this. They still rate him highly.

Source: current player

[The Redeemer]

One thing I love about Scott Watters ... and it is straight from the Mick Malthouse handbook ...


His treatment of young players.


He gives them a decent opportunity. You are not selected for 1 game to fill someone else's place and then straight back to the reserves.

Examples include:

- Dunnell: has been given three games in a row. Has started as the sub but has been given opportunities three games in a row, and IMO he has improved in each match. Has started to find his feet and actually show what is possible.
- Newnes: played 3 in a row and then 2 in a row. Had some continuity. Showed a lot, particularly against the Tigers. Was actually asked to perform an important role as a small defender.
- Saad: not so young, but was given 5 in a row to start with and this was a solid opportunity where he really showed what he was capable of. Has used that to cement his place in the team for the rest of the year.
- Cripps: played 5 in a row and then 3 in a row. Crucially did not start all games as the sub, but had a couple of full matches where he could learn.
- Milera: had 13 in a row, enough said. Will be a player.
- Siposs: had 2 in a row and then 3 in a row. Won a Rising Star with this opportunity.
- Stanley: had 8 in a row. Gave him confidence. Really found some form pre-injury.

The exception is Ledger but that has been discussed elsewhere (played Round 2 only).


All these guys have really grown in confidence with their opportunity.


The other reason I like it is because when the kids come in, they are expected to be a valuable part of the side and play a role. Not just exciting youth, but contributing to the team and to the structures.

Watters have managed to give great exposure to our list this year, whilst maintaining a good balance of experience. IMO for this aspect of his coaching in 2012, he gets a 9/10.

Basically...yes

This way we are able to find out who can play and who cannot much quicker.

Much praise for Watters on this front.

[plugger66]

It may be true for most, but his treatment of Ledger has been appalling. Averaging 24.9 possessions per game with Sandy, doesn't get a look in

Are you able to tell us what Watters wants Ledger to work on and how Ledger has done working on those issues. Are you also able to tell us how many games you have seen Ledger play this year.

[Teflon]

I love the way he has gotten us to the lofty heights of 10th.

Was getting bored with all those GF appearances with that hopeless Lyon who refused to play anyone new ever because he was so crap.

Yay, we might be out of the eight, but look at that %

Nothing to do with that. Pointing out a positive about Watters does not mutually exclude also being positive about Lyon or the last 5 years.

I loved Lyon and I still do. I actually think he would have played a lot more kids last year had they not all been injured for large parts of the season. And I still think he will enjoy significant success with Freo.

-----------------

Ledger had a great pre-season and got plenty of opportunities.

In the early part of the year through until May/June, his skin folds grew by a significant amount and his training intensity dropped off.

The coaching staff demanded that he get his skin folds under control before he would be considered for selection again.

His selection as an emergency last week shows that he has responded and the coaches have recognised this. They still rate him highly.

Source: current player

V interesting and explains a lot if true...

[Dr Spaceman]

I love the way he has gotten us to the lofty heights of 10th.

Was getting bored with all those GF appearances with that hopeless Lyon who refused to play anyone new ever because he was so crap.

Yay, we might be out of the eight, but look at that %

Nothing to do with that. Pointing out a positive about Watters does not mutually exclude also being positive about Lyon or the last 5 years.

Spot on.

This is a thread about loving Watters; not about hating Lyon.

[mbogo]

I like those things too - but I have to say that Joffa actually has a point - Watters has not been giften with the ability as a coach so far to make gifted decisions that win close games - something Ross L seemed to specialise in. A couple of wins against recent GF foes will change all of that though (hopefully)!
I like the attacking stuff but not the lessening of the defensive stuff - see Sydney and Rich results

[SainterK]

I like those things too - but I have to say that Joffa actually has a point - Watters has not been giften with the ability as a coach so far to make gifted decisions that win close games - something Ross L seemed to specialise in. A couple of wins against recent GF foes will change all of that though (hopefully)!
I like the attacking stuff but not the lessening of the defensive stuff - see Sydney and Rich results

I don't understand this point?

Ross had 11 wins in his first year at the Saints, Scott already has 9?

[Dr Spaceman]

I like those things too - but I have to say that Joffa actually has a point - Watters has not been giften with the ability as a coach so far to make gifted decisions that win close games - something Ross L seemed to specialise in. A couple of wins against recent GF foes will change all of that though (hopefully)!
I like the attacking stuff but not the lessening of the defensive stuff - see Sydney and Rich results

Yes 2009 & 2010 were most enjoyable.

However I'd prefer to watch what we're watching now, even with the frustrating losses, than what I watched in the last game of 2011.

Ross is a very good coach however I feel his time at the Saints had run it's course.

[mbogo]

I agree Lyon's time had come to an end and we would have been wise to select another coach earlier - rather than waiti to be shafted by him - the writing was on the wall but no one read it!
Watters has been good but not really a revelation yet that some seem to think he is. If he is the attacking guru we would like him to be I would like to see more moves resulting in goals late in the game - like Roo to wing or HBF for example - delivering to someone else - Goddard? Simpkin? dunno - but if it does not happen we are going nowhere. It helps noty one iota that we miss 22 shots in one game - many of them gimmes but whatever. I stil want to see us up and about against Geel and Coll - they are not flying like they were so I want to see us give them a nudge (the GF is probably unachievable - but a PF appearance would be "pleasing".)
Actually I see no reason at this stage why we would not appear as another option to Hawks in a run to the finals - but then again I am an optimist who believes those shots could have been goals - but maybe there is something that just stops us kicking straight.

[bigred]

2009 was great.

2010 was like masturbating with a cheese grater.

If Watter's doesn't equal Lyon's first year record then we are all stuffed.

We need a draw asap.

[desertsaint]

2007 was the most frustrating year I've endured - watching a team that got so close, and was full of players entering their peak, playing like they had no idea or enthusiasm. Much better was around the corner. As far as direct comparisons go, this year sh!ts all over it.

[skeptic]

JB has an issue with ppl criticising RL for boring football

as a result, any attempt to try things differently meets this type of response