Jack Watts Biography

Jack Watts announces his retirement from AFL football after 174 games with Melbourne and Port Adelaide, with only two since the end of the 2018 season and none following a serious leg injury in 2019.

"Since my injury, I feel my body has let me down and I have been struggling with the physical and mental requirements of getting back to the level of fitness that's required at AFL level," Watts said.

"Speaking with Ken (Hinkley) and Chris (Davies) and my manager in the last few weeks, it feels like the right decision for me to step away and look for new challenges in the next phase of my life."

Jack Watts is a chance of playing in round one after integrating back into the main group at training.

Watts looked at home in his new role across half-back before suffering a season-ending broken leg and dislocated ankle in last year's round two win against Carlton.

"He's still monitoring his foot a little bit, but he's had a solid week or two at training and he'll look to keep building on that," Port Adelaide defender and teammate Tom Clurey said.

"If he puts together a good month coming up, I'm sure he'll be definitely around the mark come round one. We all know what he can do with the ball in hand and how damaging he is, so I'm sure if his foot and body's holding up, he'll be right up there."

Jack Watts is expected to miss the rest of the 2019 season after having surgery on a broken right fibula and partially dislocated right ankle in the Power's win over Carlton.

Watts, 28, was hurt early in the final term when his leg was caught under Dale Thomas while being tackled.

"Jack underwent successful surgery earlier today (Sunday) and will commence his rehab process as soon as possible," Tim O'Leary said.

"Jack has obviously suffered a serious injury and will therefore be sidelined for an extended period of time. It's too early to be putting a specific timeline on his recovery at this stage."

Jack Watts has opened up about the toll his controversial pre-season had on him, revealing there were weeks he didn't want to leave bed.

"I had weeks where I didn't want to get out of bed. I've never experienced anything like that," Watts said.

"I copped more shit from people saying that I'm no good at footy for 1000 years compared to what I've been through the last few months."

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says Jack Watts needs to become a "more reliable" person after the recent video scandal that spread online.

"Jack's made some significant adjustments to the way he wants to live his life now," Hinkley said.

"I'm prepared to say 'Jack, this is part of your past and I'm sure there are other things in your past that you're probably not super excited by, but let's work towards what your future is going to look like. And that the Jack Watts that has some experiences of life now doesn't let those same things happen'."

Port Adelaide chairman David Koch lambasts Jack Watts for snorting a legal substance off a woman's chest.

"Just the height of stupidity," Koch said to radio station FIVEaa about the incident.

"It's a terrible reflection on not only him but it’s a terrible reflection on the club, the playing group, our members - we're embarrassed.

"For a bloke to do that, it’s inexcusable."

Jack Watts admits footage that emerged of him snorting a white substance of a woman's chest was not a good look, but claims that the substance was legal.

The video was taken at Munich's Oktoberfest in 2018, and shows Watts pouring a substance from a small vial onto a woman's chest and then snorting it.

"I'm really obviously disappointed with myself and can imagine how my parents and my sisters watching a video like that, it's not a great feeling," Watts said.

"Obviously just the pain and the burden I've caused to the club and the supporters and my teammates and coaches, that's probably what hurts me the most."

Jack Watts is dropped for the Power's clash with the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval.

Watts has struggled to have a significant impact during the 2018 regular season, having kicked 13 goals in his first 11 games for the Power.

"Jack knows his form hasn't been at the level he would like it to be and he understands the reasons for it," Power coach Ken Hinkley said.

Port Adelaide is toying with the idea of using gun recruit Jack Watts through the midfield in 2018 in spurts to capitalise on his quality delivery.

"He's a ball user so we want to get him where the ball is. There will be different spots we look at, we definitely haven't locked him in as a forward," Power senior assistant coach Matthew Nicks said.

"We'd love to have his ball use through the middle of the ground at times, so it's something we'll look at."

Advice from former Melbourne coach Paul Roos helped convince Jack Watts to start the next chapter of his career at Port Adelaide.

The 26-year-old, who credits Roos for saving his career during his three-season coaching stint, revealed his old mentor helped sway him towards the Power.

"Leading into the decision I was speaking to him a fair bit and weighing up our options and I was letting him know what was going on," Watts told SEN radio.

"He thought the same as I did and thought Port Adelaide would be a great move and really good for me personally and my footy."

Jack Watts says he is enjoying living with his former Melbourne, and now current Port Adelaide, teammate Jack Trengove.

The Power picked up Trengove as a delisted free agent on a one-year deal, Watts getting the news when he was in Montreal on holidays.

"He (Trengove) said, 'You won't believe who I've just spoken to – (Power coach) Kenny Hinkley," Watts said.

"As soon as I got off the phone, I messaged Kenny and said, 'He's a legend, you won't go wrong.

"He said it's all done, just keep it under wraps for a little while.

"It's surreal now that we're living together back in his home state."

Melbourne CEO Peter Jackson admits the club is paying a part of traded forward Jack Watts' wage.

Jackson revealed the Power were the only one of those teams to make a serious offer for Watts, and as part of the deal the Demons needed to pay some of the 26-year-old's contract.

"It's not a lot - over the total two years of his remaining contract it's about 15 per cent," Jackson told SEN.

"The only football club that spoke to us about a deal in any real terms was Port Adelaide.

"Geelong made an enquiry and the offer they were mooting, we would have been crucified by Melbourne supporters if we had have accepted that.

"There was (just) one club making one offer at the end of the day, (and) I think that does say something."

Port Adelaide recruit Jack Watts says, despite a rocky ending, he leaves the Dees on good terms.

"You spend nine years of your life somewhere, it's like a family. It didn't finish the way I would've liked but no hard feelings towards the club," Watts said.

"I love the players, I love the supporters and I can't be more thankful for what they've given me over the last nine years."

Jack Watts is traded to Port Adelaide with Melbourne receiving the Power's pick No.31 in the 2017 NAB AFL Draft.

Port and Geelong emerged as Watts' most serious suitors and 2008's No.1 draft pick has spent much of the NAB AFL Trade Period deliberating on his future.

However, Geelong had not been in contact with Watts for the past week and the forward requested a trade to the Power.

Melbourne defends its decision to jettison fan favourite Jack Watts, citing his inconsistency as the reason the forward was sent to Port Adelaide.

"The list management group felt that Jack's consistency of performance hasn't been at the level expected of a player with his experience," Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney said.

"This may be attributed to the fact that Jack has attracted immense public interest from day one.

"This has no doubt placed an unfair amount of pressure and expectation on Jack throughout his career at Melbourne and both parties feel like a change of environment and a fresh start will be the best thing for Jack's career.

"We know that Jack is a well-liked character but we've based this decision on performance and what is best for both parties."

Jack Watts' father, Andrew, slams the Demons' slandering of his son as unprofessional.

"We feel Jack's been put out there as a bit of a reprobate, a misfit in not turning up fit, not putting in a good effort, being a bad influence on younger kids," Andrew Watts said.

"A lot of AFL people have seen him for eight or nine years in the media and he turns up with a smile on his face, he does work hard, so we just don't understand that language."

Geelong have baulked at Melbourne's demands for unwanted forward Jack Watts.

"We've had a good conversation with Melbourne and they've made it clear what they'd be expecting from us, and at this stage, we don't think we'd be able to do that deal so we're not going to give Jack any false hope or waste anybody's time," Geelong list manager Stephen Wells said.

Melbourne radio station SEN reports that Jack Watts has opted to join Port Adelaide.

Geelong hasn't closed the door on recruiting Jack Watts who has been linked to Port Adelaide.

"We did meet with Jack briefly and it's going to be interesting with how it pans out," Geelong football manager Simon Lloyd said.

Patrick Dangerfield says he would welcome Jack Watts to the Cats with open arms and is confident the Demon forward's best football is still ahead.

"He's certainly someone whose best footy is as good as anyone in the competition," Dangerfield told NAB AFL Trade Radio of Watts.

"I think he's arguably one of the best finishers in the game. When he gets the ball inside 50, you basically back him to finish the goal.

"It was interesting listening to a few comments from Melbourne-based personnel that, perhaps, he hasn't quite reached his potential.

"I think he has enormous potential to continue to get better and I have a strong belief that players play their best footy between 26 and 30 … so someone like Jack certainly, I think, is appealing for quite a few clubs, not just Geelong."

Collingwood have made inquiries about Jack Watts, who is set to depart the Demons after being put up for trade by the club.

Magpies players are believed to have contacted Watts as the 26-year-old considers his next move, having already been linked to Sydney and having met with Port Adelaide last week.

Jack Watts says he was surprised and disappointed that Melbourne had asked him to explore his options for 2018.

"I’ve had options the last four or five years and that love for the club and love for the boys has kept me there and that hasn’t changed," Watts said.

"Hopefully people can see my point of view how hard it is to leave nine-year friendships and a love for somewhere you’ve been for nine years of your life."

The 26-year-old battled with form towards the end of the season but still thinks he can offer more to Melbourne.

"Seeing where the club is at the moment and where they can go, playing finals next year would be a real goal and it will be a shock to the system if I’m going to miss that," he said.

It is believed Port Adelaide and Sydney are the frontrunners to lure him out of Victoria.

"To uplift his whole life and move interstate is something Jack’s got to think about," Watts’ manager Paul Connors said.

"It’s all come very quickly and he’s just getting his head around everything at the moment."

Melbourne Simon Goodwin says Jack Watts and the club have been stuck in a rut.

"This is obviously a situation where it's been going on for a long period of time. We're eight or nine years into a career and there's been a similar lot of expectation and a lot of pressure has been placed on both the Melbourne footy club and Jack over a long period of time," Goodwin said.

"That's cycle's continued, it hasn't changed, and I guess you've got to continue to assess where you are as a footy club, and I guess where Jack's at as well."

Jack Watts has been encouraged by Melbourne to look at continuing his career at a rival club, despite being contracted to the Demons for another two years.

"We encouraged him to go and explore his options, and to see what other opportunities may be out there," Demons coach Simon Goodwin told Channel Seven.

"But at the same time, if nothing can happen and he comes back to the Melbourne footy club, we're happy for that as well."

Demons co-captain Nathan Jones has admitted confronting Jack Watts, who was dropped late in the season after struggling on his return from a hamstring injury.

Jones said the 26-year-old Watts and some younger players at the club needed to be more accountable off the field.

But the expectations on Watts were higher given his experience, with his form too inconsistent.

"That's probably why we tend to come down harder on him, because he's a more senior player. He's been exposed to it for a longer period of time," Jones said.

"We expect more from him. I think the message is pretty clear for him."

Tomas Bugg says hist Instagram post challenging Western Bulldogs backman Jason Johannisen was just a bit of fun between mates.

Bugg took a photo with teammates Jack Watts before Sunday's 57-point win against the Dogs and put it on Instagram, asking Johannisen: 'You ready?'.

"I know Jason, so it was just a bit of playful (banter) before the game," Bugg said.

"I didn't look too far into it. They're a great side so we knew they were going to come at us no matter what. I didn't read too much into it."

Jack Watts kicks the match-winning goal for Melbourne in the Demons' thrilling 4-point win over Collingwood.

The key forward found himself in a paddock of space on the MCG wing with minutes to spare and his running goal put the Demons in front by 11 points.

"I had a nice little moment in front of the Collingwood cheer squad when the siren went at the end of the game," a jovial Watts told AAP after the game.

"It's a big journey, isn't it? It's nice to get on the other end of a few."

Jack Watts felt a sense of vindication in the way he performed in the Demons' 30-point win over St Kilda on Saturday, admitting he was stung heavily after being overlooked for selection in the JLT Community Series.

Watts collected 12 disposals, four inside 50s and kicked a goal, also pinch-hitting in the ruck to relieve Gawn in his side's commanding win over the Saints.

"It was pretty tough, personally. I was really proud of how I responded and how I acted through that period and now I get to reap the rewards playing with such a good team," Watts said.

"I felt a bit of pressure coming in.

"But I knew I'd done the work. I knew I was a good enough player and I was really confident in myself."

Jack Watts will play in his first pre-season game for 2017 after being overlooked in the first two games of the JLT Community Series.

"He was under no illusions about what we expected from him," Melbourne co-captain Nathan Jones said.

"He's gone about his business in the fashion that we'd expect of an experienced player, and he'll come in and perform the role that he's in the team for and be a very important player for us."

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin says it is imperative for Jack Watts to have greater consistency in his game.

"I think we know that Jack's got a lot of quality and he can play the game, there's no doubt about that," Goodwin said.

"But what we are trying to create is we want people who can do it all the time and play with that intensity all the time.

"We're still working through that, and when Jack comes back in the team we're going to have a really good player on our hands."

Watts is left out of Melbourne's team for its first JLT Community Series game against the Western Bulldogs.

Melbourne teammate Tom McDonald says Watts needs to maintain consistent training standards to win his place back in the Demons' side.

"Jack's had a really good two or three weeks and understands what is required to be selected in the team," McDonald said.

"Jack's been doing the right thing, especially the last two or three weeks and he's in line to play again soon."

Jack Watts was the hero in the Demon's two-point victory over Gold Coast on Sunday at the MCG.

The 25-year-old, who has been much maligned by the Melbourne faithful over his career, kicked the final goal of the game with two-and-a-half minutes remaining to put the Demons in front.

But his heroics didn't stop there.

Ninety seconds later, Watts found himself at the other end of the ground, taking a game-saving mark in the goal square after Suns forward Tom Lynch kicked a long bomb from the 50m line.

Watts finished the game with 18 disposals and kicked 3.2 in a brilliant performance, earning plenty of praise from his coach.

"I thought he was the player that looked like he was going to break the game open," Melbourne coach Paul Roos said after the win.

"In the end it was a great reward for him to kick the winning goal and I think it was indicative of his game today. He was the standout player for us, certainly with ball in hand, and his game was exceptional."

Melbourne re-signs free agent Jack Watts for three years, tying him to the club until the end of 2019.

Watts is putting together the best season of his career having played every game and kicked 31 goals.

"I've never had too many doubts about staying here at Melbourne to be honest," Watts said.

"When you form such close bonds with everyone here – your teammates, coaching staff and the supporters, who have been with me through everything for the last seven or eight years – it hasn't been a smooth ride, that's for sure.

"To have people stick by you and support you all the way, you really want to repay that and I think I’ve taken steps towards that this year.

"I'm really looking forward to working hard over the next three years to get the best out of myself and the team."

Jack Watts produces one of the best games of his heavily-scrutinised 129-game career after booting 3 goals from 23 disposals and 8 marks in a 22-point loss to Adelaide.

"I take joy because I've seen how much he got bashed over the three years I've been here and the six years prior," Melbourne coach Paul Roos said after the match.

"He's a terrific person, he's worked really hard on his game and he's just a great fella."

Jack Watts is crediting Melbourne's growing momentum for his strong start to the season.

Always a lightning rod for criticism when things go wrong, the 2008 No.1 draft pick has impressed amid the Demons' 2-2 opening.

"I don't think it's really `clicked' or anything like that," Watts said.

"I'm probably doing all pretty similar things to what I've done in the past, but with a team (that) is starting to play a pretty good brand of footy.

"We're averaging a lot more inside 50s, we're getting more opportunities, so playing as a forward, law of averages would say you're going to have a bit of an impact."

Melbourne coach Paul Roos says even the Demons coaching group didn't know if forward Jack Watts would realise his potential.

Now into his eighth season, the often criticised Watts kicked four first-half goals against Collingwood on Sunday afternoon at the MCG to help beat the Pies.

"We were always confident that he (Watts) had talent, and when he plays the way we want him to play, he's an effective player," Roos said.

"Last year, we felt he had a really good season, but he would play one bad one and everyone jumps on him.

"He had a poor game against Essendon (in round two) but his body of work through the NAB Challenge and round one meant people laid off him a bit.

"He responded last week and he responded again (today)."

Jack Watts says he wants to stay at the club beyond 2016, but has admitted he will consider his free agency options during the year.

"I think I was on the scrapheap a couple of weeks ago, and then all of a sudden you play a couple of good games and people start talking about you," Watts said.

"I'm sure I'll look at [free agency] during the year and speak with my manager and the club.

"But with the way Melbourne are looking at the moment, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else to be honest."

Jack Watts says he's determined to prove himself at Melbourne next season.

Demons coach Paul Roos said this week he hadn't made his mind up whether Watts would be at the club in 2016.

"I see a really strong year next year for the Dees and I'd love to be a part of it and I've got things I need to improve on to keep up," Watts said.

"I'll go away in the off-season and work on those things and hopefully have a really good year."

Jack Watts cannot help but feel slighted by the criticism that has dogged his career, although he learned long ago not to take harsh comments to heart.

"Was it necessary? I don't know if it was necessary. It might've been warranted," Watts said.

"You deal with it as best as you can."

Watts believes the challenges early in his career – starting with his now-infamous debut against Collingwood on Queen's Birthday in 2009 – have taught him some important life lessons.

"The journey that it has been has been an interesting one. It's been a tough one, at times," Watts said.

"But you come out the other end and I've learned so much and it's helped me be the person that I am today, no doubt."

Melbourne coach Paul Roos says Jack Watts is in a much better state of mind after his self-imposed demotion to the VFL last weekend.

"I was really happy with the way he played on the weekend, he got a bit of a bounce in his step, he was really positive today," Roos said.

"I think it's been a positive outcome from purely the weekend, I think he had [the ball] 25 times, which he wouldn't have done for a long time."

Melbourne coach Paul Roos said after the Demons' loss to Hawthorn that he had spoken to Jack Watts during the week and both had agreed it was best for him to play in the VFL.

"I just talked to Jack and you could tell he was getting down on himself and there was a lot of pressure on him," Roos said.

"We know his form hasn't been great and he was fantastic. He just said 'I really feel like I'm letting the team down and I really want to get back and enjoy my footy, find some form and then get back in when I'm in good form'."

Jack Watts says having Jesse Hogan in the side will make the Melbourne forward line more enjoyable to play in.

"I love him," Watts said of Hogan.

"Everyone does. He's a big animal and when I get the ball and look up to see him in a one-on-one contest I've got full confidence to kick it to him.

"So going forward it should be a bit of fun I think."

Groin pain has forced Melbourne's Jack Watts to undertake a revised program in December, but he is expected to return to full training immediately after the Christmas break.

"He has been off legs for a couple of weeks and just gradually building up his running," Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney said.

"The aim is for him to get back into full training post-Christmas break."

Jack Watts says coach Demons Paul Roos has given him confidence not just in his football, but as a person.

"He's been pretty amazing since he's been here, for me personally," Watts said.

"The support they (Roos and the other coaches) give you, and the confidence ... in not only your footy but you as a person.

"We joke about it all the time, but he's been defending me ever since he's been here. I couldn't thank him enough."

Melbourne great David Schwarz says the club should trade former No.1 draft pick Jack Watts.

"I think it's time Melbourne traded Jack Watts. I've been a huge fan of Jack, but of late (I've) seen the same old things from Jack: the urgency's not there, the lack of mongrel, the lack of endeavour, the lack of willing to be the centre of attention," Schwarz told listeners on radio station SEN.

"For the Melbourne footy club and for Jack Watts they need to part company and move on."

Melbourne coach Paul Roos, however, says the excessive scrutiny on Watts is unwarranted.

"The thing with Jack is that it's surprising how much focus is on him," Roos said.

"It just comes with the territory really. Particularly if you're a No.1 draft pick – you never get left alone to play your game and work on your craft.

"For the roles we've been asking him to do he's been really productive. I think he's had a pretty consistent season."

Jack Watts says he is working on rectifying his moments of reduced intensity on the field with more frequent rotations.

"When I have those moments out on the ground, they're so obvious that's where I get myself into trouble," Watts said.

"I think a lot of that happens when I'm stuffed because in an AFL game you get pretty tired at times.

"The last couple of weeks, I've been working on coming to the bench a bit more.

"Initially I was coming to the bench once or twice per game.

"In the last four weeks, the average has been seven or eight rotations, which has really helped me because I am a bit more of a burst player in terms of endurance wise.

"As long as I get those really obvious poor moments out of my game, then you don't put yourself up for that criticism so that's the main thing we're working on."

Bernie Vince says criticism of teammate Jack Watts is unfair.

"As soon as something happens to Melbourne, it seems to be Jack Watts' fault," Vince said.

"The media must watch him so close. He's the first one that gets something written about him or said about him and to Jack's credit, he tries to [block] it out as best as he can, and he does it pretty well.

"But there comes a time where it would get to you and you kind of can't not hear or read things.

"I think people have got to get off his back a little bit."

Jack Watts draws the ire of coach Paul Roos at three-quarter time against the Swans following indifferent form but Roos downplays the incident.

"We don't have the same fixation on Jack Watts as everyone else does," Roos said.

"He is just one of our players that we try to get better every single week.

"I get a little bit surprised that everything goes back to Jack Watts. We've got a lot more problems at this club than Wattsy's form.

"He gets assessed like every other player on the list."

Jeremy Howe believes new Melbourne coach Paul Roos has what it takes to get the best out of Jack Watts in 2014.

"The way Wattsy's gone about his pre-season is the best I've seen from him and that's just through pure confidence," Howe said.

"A lot of guys get more out of that than others – some guys don't need a lot of positive reinforcement – but 'Roosy' definitely dishes out his fair share.

"And it rubs off well on most guys."

Luke Tapscott is expected to be sidelined for up to two weeks after injuring the medial ligament in his right knee in Melbourne's intraclub match at Gosch's Paddock.

"This time of year you never want to get any injuries, but first reports are that he's tweaked his medial ligament," Demons football manager Josh Mahoney said.

"At this stage, it'll be a couple of weeks so it's not a major one for him."

Jack Watts says he never really had any intentions of leaving Melbourne despite coming out of contract at the end of 2013.

Obviously you've got options, but at the end of the day I love this club and I love my teammates and I was pretty clear with my manager that I wanted to stay here," Watts said.

"You just don't want to miss out on those good times after being here for five years, and that's what I really see coming."

Jack Watts maintains that he will not make a decision on his future until the end of the year.

"I have got a decision to make at the end of the year and I will weigh up all the options and hopefully come to the right decision," Watts said.

Melbourne interim coach Neil Craig admits that Jack Watts isn't quite sure at the moment where his future lies.

"I wouldn't have thought Jack would have taken a position where he wanted to be convincing to stay or go because he probably doesn't know," Craig said.

"I see Jack Watts as a critical player for our club to keep and I think he can have a very successful and enjoyable career at the Melbourne footy club."

Jack Watts admits sacked coach Mark Neeld's tough coaching style did not necessarily gel with some players at the club, including himself.

"I think he came in with his philosophy of going pretty hard with us and I think that works for some people and probably doesn't for others," Watts said.

"I think it worked in a certain way for me. I guess with my training and standards and that kind of thing. Probably at an emotional level I found it a bit hard."

Out-of-contract Jack Watts says he wants to remain with the Demons.

"I do want to stay. Definitely. It's a great group of blokes that I have spent the last five years with and obviously it's been tough. We're non-competitive and it has been frustrating," Watts said.

"But I want to be there when things turn around and hopefully that's sooner rather than later."

Media reports have linked Demons Jack Watts, James Frawley and Colin Sylvia to other clubs but Melbourne coach Mark Neeld says they are required players at the club.

"They're certainly required players here and we'll do what we can to keep them here, absolutely," Neeld said.

"Those three guys, they're good players, and I can understand why all 18 list management groups would be discussing all players out of contract."

Jack Watts will miss two weeks with a hamstring strain.

1999 Coleman medallist Scott Cummings says it's time for Jack Watts to become a leader himself at the Demons after Watts recently lamented the lack of leadership at the club.

"This kid has got everything, he's been handed everything … you can do whatever you like if you actually have a dip," Cummings said.

"A more disappointing No.1 draft pick I do not know. He's been there five years, five years he's been there.

"Seriously, mate, do not come out, unless you're firing a shot, unless you're actually having a crack, or have had a crack at any stage of your five-year career and led the way."

Melbourne defender Jack Watts says his club is suffering from a lack of leadership and a losing culture.

"A lot of it is to do with confidence (and) mindset. We've been losing for so long now and it's 'what can you do?' " Watts said.

"You look at the good teams like Geelong and Hawthorn and Fremantle and those kind of things. You've got guys like Selwood, Joel Corey, Stevie Johnson, Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis - they stand up and they don't accept that (losing) for their club.

"We don't have anyone like that today and that's the kind of thing that we need to work on.

"That sort of culture and that grit to be able to turn those things around when momentum goes against us, because at the moment we just crumble."

Due to Mitch Clark's season-ending injury, Mark Neeld is considering playing Jack Watts as a forward, despite Watts' solid form as a defender.

Jack Watts admits he is working harder off the field than ever before - and the results are plain to see.

"Each year you learn certain things and come to the realisation you have to take it up another level," Watts said.

"I'm doing that now and I'm sure next year I'll be taking another step forward."

No. 1 draft pick Jack Watts is dropped from the Demons' side and Melbourne coach Mark Neeld says this is for the benefit of the young forward's development.

"We've had some really good chats, productive chats during the week," Neeld said.

"He's on the training track confronting the things we want him to confront and we will see how he goes at VFL level."

Demons coach Mark Neeld says hunger isn't the issue for struggling forward Jack Watts.

"He doesn't lack hunger," Neeld said.

"My reality is, I look at it that he's 21 years of age, a highly-talented player, he's played 42 consecutive games in AFL, it's a good effort.

"He's not in the best of form at the moment, he's got a couple of things we want him to work on, he'll go back to (VFL side) Casey and work on those."

Melbourne assistant coach Leigh Brown says Jack Watts is no certainty to be picked for round one after failing to impress in the NAB Cup.

"Jack's fine. A lot of us forget he's only 20. It feels like he's been around for a long time but he's still very young. He's got a lot of areas to develop and as a coach I'm helping to develop," Brown said.

"Jack's a really jovial, confident young kid and hopefully that can translate into his footy."

Melbourne skipper Jack Trengove says Jack Watts must be selected in the Demons' round1 team on merit.

"He's not just going to be given games because he's a No.1 draft pick, he's going to have to earn his spot and that's the way he wants it as well," Trengove said.

"The position that he's playing, there's probably about five or six guys who are fighting for that spot and at the moment it's pretty hard to pick who's going to be there for Round 1."

Melbourne coach Mark Neeld says Jack Watts was "set up to fail" from the start of his career.

"Perhaps, in hindsight, Jack was almost set up to fail initially in his career. He was out there as the poster boy," Neeld told Triple M radio.

"Jack Watts is very topical. My reality with Jack is he's 20 years of age and has played 40 games so he's got a lot of learning to do. Jack also didn't have his time through the TAC Cup like every other player.

"He came out of the private school system, which means he wasn't a part of the junior elite pathway day-to-day and that can take its toll. He's also a key position player, which means he's going to take some time."

Melbourne coach Mark Neeld has defended Jack Watts after the young forward struggled against Collingwood in the NAB Cup.

"He is certainly being asked by me to play in a different way to what he has in the past and that's OK," Neeld said.

"He's got some tricks and I thought his defensive work tonight was very good."

Jack Watts has shrugged off criticism of his intensity from Mick Malthouse who questioned the forward's desire and ambition on 3AW radio.

"The thing for me is listening to my coach … I'm sure there are many other people out there with many other opinions and that is fine. I'm fine with that," Watts said.

"(I'm) just listening to what (the coach)) wants me to do and if I can perform that I'm happy."

Melbourne forward Jack Watts says a spell in the backline has boosted his self-belief which took a beating after his value as a No. 1 pick was debated by many football followers.

"I went back for one or two games. I got a couple of kicks and got a bit of confidence from having the ball in my hands. I think that's translated to me playing forward now," Watts said.

"When people are having shots at you all the time, it weighs on you, but as I've always said, it's going to be there my whole career. I can't do anything about it so I've just got to deal with it the best I can."

Boxing and a change in his on-field role are the reasons behind Melbourne forward Jack Watts' improved form this year.

"We just said to him he needed to start backing himself and believing in his talent, and he can't just keep resting on the prospectus of him being a really good player and that he has to continue to work for it," teammate Nathan Jones said.

"It's started to show in the last month. He's consistently been at boxing and it's reflected in his training in terms of his work rate and I think it's starting to show on the field now."

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey is confident Jack Watts can play his role for the team this weekend against the Eagles.

"Jack will approach it with what we want him to do and we expect him to contribute and apply pressure like every other player in the team," Bailey said.

"He knows what's expected and I'm sure he'll give 100 per cent."

West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui surprises no one by winning the round four NAB AFL Rising Star nomination.

Naitanui says he is not overly concerned with winning the season's NAB AFL Rising Star award for 2010.

"I don't really pay attention to it. I'm there to win games, that's the main thing. If something like that happens, it happens. I'm not too fazed about those kind of individual awards at the moment," he said.

Naitanui added that the pressure on Jack Watts who was selected before him in the 2008 national draft and has so far failed to impress is unwarranted.

"I spoke to Jack last week. We have the same manager and keep in touch pretty often. It's sad that he has that pressure on him," he said.

"He doesn't get fazed though, that is the good thing about him. He doesn't pay attention to it and he just plays his footy and enjoys it."

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey says Jack Watts is aware that stories comparing him to West Coast's Nic Naitanui are going to get written particular after Naitanui impressed in the NAB Cup opener against Essendon.

"Jack's going to go about his business. Jack wants to play as well as he can, as soon as he can for the Melbourne footy club and what's written is written and what's said is said," Bailey said.

"We're not going to be distracted by outside stories that are written - they're going to be written anyway regardless of who it is. But Jack's concentrating on developing his football and we've seen that in the last month, so that's good."

Jack Watts who is battling a back injury and may miss the start of the 2010 AFL season.

"We want his body to get through the season, so we're just going to back off and get it right," football operations manager Chris Connolly said.

Despite early pre-season setbacks Melbourne believes Jack Watts can be ready to make an impact from round one.

Watts had a delayed start to pre-season training because of illness and is now entering a full program after making up ground over the Christmas and New Year break.

"We're hoping he can keep improving his body and his fitness and his knowledge of what we require him to do," assistant coach Mark Williams said.

"Hopefully his ability will be able to bring him into the fold and put him up for selection early in the season ... whether he's right for round one will be up to him."

The Demons have decided to rest prized draft pick Jack Watts for the rest of the year following his recovery from thumb and groin injuries.

Watts will now focus on his schooling at Brighton Grammar and his VCE exams which are scheduled to finish in early November.

Melbourne draftee Jack Watts will spend up to two weeks on the sidelines after chipping a bone in his hand in a VFL game.

AIS-AFL high performance coach Jason McCartney has called for people to lay off Jack Watts.

"Jack Watts has copped a bit of heat unnecessarily," McCartney said on Wednesday at Docklands, the venue for the final day of the NAB AFLUnder-18 Championships.

"You can't compare him to Nic Naitanui, or Daniel Rich. Daniel Rich has played in two premierships for Subiaco - and has a big, strong body. Nic Naitanui played a year of senior football last year.

"Jack Watts is a schoolboy, who has played four TAC Cup games. It's hard to really compare those boys who get the opportunity to play some senior footy, it probably does help them."

Melbourne's Brad Green has indicated media hysteria surrounding draftee Jack Watts' form was unwarranted and irrational.

"Jack's in the papers for all the wrong reasons," Green said.

"He's a competitive kid and he's going to be a great kid and he's going to be a great footballer for our footy club.

"No doubt, Jack will play fantastic games for this footy club in the coming years."

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey has shrugged off accusations that No. 1 draft pick Jack Watts has been blooded too soon.

"Jack's a high-profile player now he's played two games so he's obviously going to be scrutinised," Bailey said.

"Management of him over the next couple of weeks and the rest of the year is going to be important.

Melbourne is confident they are managing the career of Jack Watts well, and coach Dean Bailey said the club won't be affected by media scrutiny.

"That just comes with the territory. Jack's a high-profile player... so he's obviously going to be scrutinised. That's what comes with playing AFL footy now," he said.

"He gets the focus because he's the No.1 draft pick. Management of him over the next couple of weeks and the rest of the year is going to be important.

"We understand the player, we understand the pressure on him, and we understand his schooling commitments.

"None of that's changed how we're going to manage him. We'll do the best for Jack and the club."

Melbourne is committed to playing Jack Watts in the seniors whenever it reasonably can this season and says early sceptics of its schoolboy No. 1 draft pick should bite their tongues.

"From what we've seen thus far we couldn't be any more pleased," Demons football manager Chris Connolly said yesterday.

"Jack's played against Collingwood in a big game, against Essendon in a big game, and I don't think he's looked out of place at all.

"We won't see the best of Jack for four years. Tell me what Jack Watts is doing in four years' time, then make comment.

"I expect at some stage during the year he may be rested, he may not. It just depends how he's coping."

Being run down by Alwyn Davey in last Friday night's 43-point loss was all part of Jack Watts' steep learning curve.

Describing Davey as "a little lightning bolt", Watts said of the incident: "I looked behind me and I thought I had 10 metres and before I knew it I was on the deck."

"I'm still learning, having only played two games, so I still have plenty of learning to do," Watts told BigPond Sports Weekend.

"I've got to learn from that and pick up the pace. Hopefully, in the next few weeks I won't make that same mistake again."

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey says Jack Watts is looking to make a bigger impact in his second game after a disappointing debut.

"I know deep down Jack was pretty unhappy with the way he played," Bailey said.

"I know tomorrow, without the extra pressure of his first game, I think Jack is going to show something.

"He's a very proud player and he was disappointed with his game, but he understands the benefits of playing the game. He's pretty keen to play well tomorrow."

Melbourne president Jim Stynes says Jack Watts' debut against Collingwood will now take some pressure off the 18-year-old.

"When I played my first game, no-one knew. It was down at Geelong at Kardinia Park," Stynes said.

"I suppose Jeff White was our biggest recruit in a long time. But with Jack playing now it probably takes a bit of pressure off, because he can now go back and get himself bigger and better and it'll come."

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey says number one draft pick Jack Watts will play his second game in a fortnight after Monday's eight-possession debut against Collingwood.

"It's just good that Jack's played a game and ... got it out of the way, so he can look forward to his next game," Bailey said.

"He'll learn from today and he'll understand the speed and the pace of the game, as most players do after their first game.

"He was OK, but it was always going to be a tough job for him to come out and play his first game."

Collingwood defender Harry O'Brien senses he is about to witness up close the start of a memorable career for Melbourne forward Jack Watts in his debut game.

"I actually look forward to seeing him out there, because from all reports he's going to be a great player,'' O'Brien said.

"I feel privileged to be playing in the first game he plays - good luck to him, I wish him all the best.''

Jack Watts reveals that he suffered a bloody initiation in the boxing ring against Brock McLean three weeks after arriving at Melbourne.

"I didn't really know the boys too well," Watts said.

"That was probably the best thing for me to do to try to gain a bit of respect. You've got to go through that process when you first get to the club.

"I'd never had a fight in the school yard or pulled the gloves on. A push and shove on the footy ground, that's about it."

Jack Watts, who will make his much anticipated debut on Monday, missed a training session and stayed away from the club early this week as a precaution against the spread of swine flu.

No.1 NAB AFL Draft pick Jack Watts will make his AFL debut for Melbourne on Monday, when the Demons host Collingwood at the MCG in the traditional Queen's Birthday encounter.

No.1 draft pick Jack Watts says he is ready to play his first AFL match on Monday against Collingwood at the MCG.

"I couldn't believe it when I got the call from 'Bails'. I've worked pretty hard over the last few months and now to run out and just be with the boys on game day will be a great thrill."

"I'm obviously very lucky. It's going to be a massive game and I wouldn't have played in front of 2000 people, let alone 70,000, so it's definitely going to be an exciting game to be a part of and hopefully I can just do my bit for the team."

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey says there is a definite possibility No.1 draftee Jack Watts could play out the rest of the season with the Demons.

"What he's shown over the last couple of weeks, he deserves the chance to play this weekend. It happens to be Queen's Birthday and that's great," Bailey said.

"If you're a marketing person, you'd think that's brilliant, but I can tell you it had more to do when he was ready to play. He needed to put a couple of good games together, which he has done."

The door is still open for a Jack Watts debut on Monday.

Melbourne's match committee will today discuss the merits of unleashing its No. 1 draft pick against Collingwood in the Queen's Birthday clash.

Melbourne remains coy on when top draft pick Jack Watts will make his senior debut.

"Jack's game on the weekend was okay [for Casey Scorpions]. He'll get another game this weekend at VFL level and if he plays well, then we'll consider him," Melbourne coach Dean Bailey said.

"He's a very busy man, Jack, he's got a lot of things going on in his life, let me tell you.

"The challenge for Jack is just to get some consistency and to manage his time, which he's doing really well and hopefully he'll play well in the VFL this weekend.

"That'll put some pressure on us, not just for the following week, but for the weeks after that. When he's ready, we'll pick him and when that time comes, we'll let you know."

Jack Watts is set to debut in coming weeks, but last year's No. 1 draft pick is yet to force the Demons' match committee's hand.

Watts, who has been told he will be given his senior debut when he deserved it, has not yet torn a VFL game apart.

"He played a role pushing up at the ball on the weekend and didn't kick any goals, but he's getting his hands on the ball," Demons football manager Craig Notman said.

"We are sure he will get his chance at some stage soon, but he won't be rushed by the club."

Melbourne Demons president wants his No. 1 draft pick Jack Watts to play by round 12 but Demons coach Dean Bailey wants a more conservative approach to the prized recruit.

"It's delicate. I could sit here and say that's it, he'll play on such and such date. And everyone wants a date and time," Bailey said.

"But we have to keep Jack in a mode where we see regular progression. We also have to assess him week to week because the worst thing that could happen is he starts to get tired."

Melbourne has given No.1 draft pick Jack Watts the green light to play for Brighton Grammar this weekend.

It's been a long time coming, but anxious Melbourne fans will get their first look at prized No. 1 draft pick Jack Watts when he runs out for the Casey reserves on Saturday.

"Jack's going to be a week-to-week proposition. This is the first game he's played for six months, maybe eight months, so we'll just see how he pulls up and that will determine his training next week," Melbourne coach Dean Bailey said.

"We'll see how Jack goes tomorrow and that will determine where Jack plays the following week."

Melbourne young gun Jack Watts will play his first game for the year next weekend when the Casey Scorpions take on Port Melbourne.

Melbourne believes he is still a couple of months away from playing, but if it were up to Jack Watts, he would run out for the Demons today.

"I'd love to get out there as early as I can, but it's not up to me," Watts said.

"All I can do is put my best foot forward for Casey and leave it up to them. It's the most frustrating thing, watching footy, I can't stand it, to be honest. You just want to get out there and make an impact."

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey is adamant No. 1 draft pick Jack Watts won't be rushed in for round three.

"We're very committed to ensuring the work they've done has been good," Bailey said.

"Jack's more advanced than what Sam (Blease) is, but we're still on course to develop them. And when they're ready and they've been physically challenged and if they're good enough, they'll play.

"We won't be rushing them in."

Melbourrne maps a program for Jack Watts that deals with clashes between his club and school obligations.

Melbourne's No. 1 draft pick Jack Watts is eight to 12 weeks away from playing football at any level.

Watts will start in the VFL and juggle school commitments this season, meaning any AFL debut is unlikely to come until the final part of the season.

"The difference between Jack and any other first-year player is Jack's at school and we've got to look after him," Melbourne coach Dean Bailey said.

"The easy thing for me would be to put a lot of pressure on him to play and develop quickly and then put him out there and he breaks down. That is not the way we are going to treat any of our young players."

Melbourne drafts key forward Jack Watts with the first selection in today's national draft and the youngster says he is keen to make an impact in his debut year.

"Everyone is saying it will take time and it's obviously going to take time because I'm not as big, not as old and not as mature," Watts said.

"But I don't see why even next year I can't make a difference at the club."