Paul Roos says he’s surprised about the fuss people are making over Jack Watts.
The Melbourne coach claims to be scratching his head there’s such a big focus on the out-of-form utility, a former AFL No.1 draft pick who has never quite put together a dominant season despite his obvious talents.
Watts gathered 15 possessions including five kicks, four of which were ineffective, in Melbourne’s 31-point loss to Sydney at the MCG on Saturday.
Roos pulled Watts and Jeremy Howe aside at three-quarter time and appeared to give both players a blast.
However Roos played down the incident on Monday and said he’d be surprised if Watts was dropped for Saturday’s clash at Adelaide Oval against the Crows.
“There’s a big fixation on Jack Watts. We don’t have the same fixation on Jack Watts as everyone else does,” Roos told reporters.
“He is a player that everyone talks about.
“It’s certainly strange.”
Asked to assess Watts’ defensive intensity, Roos said his focus wasn’t on one player.
“I just get a little bit surprised that every thing goes back to Jack Watts. We have a lot more problems at this club,” Roos said.
“Wattsy’s form in the last two weeks hasn’t been as good as it was in the first four weeks.
“We’re not in the position of Geelong and Hawthorn that can play 22 form players every week.
“I would think he’d be playing this week. I’d be surprised if he wasn’t.”
Roos says he simply offered encouragement to Howe and Watts.
“You grab two players,” Roos said.
“You say it’s a big last quarter, we need you to get involved.
“I don’t know if it was animated.
“It’s a pretty sad indictment on all of us if you can’t grab a couple of players and talk to them, because that’s my job.”
Ex-forward Watts is still learning about defence, according to Roos.
“There’s heat on everyone who plays AFL,” Roos said.
“Is it unfair? That’s not for me to judge.”
The 17th-placed Demons won’t be able to call upon young key forward Jesse Hogan for at least another two months.
The 19-year-old, who’s yet to make his debut, is still struggling with a back injury.
Jorji Costava
Guest
Problem I see Melbourne has with Watts is that they invested their first draft pick on him. He is not as good as that. In other words they have purchased themselves a right lemon there. The great players like the Judds, Mitchells, Abletts of the day are good on whatever team they play for. He is too old now to evolve into anything special but he could still be a contributor. Now the Demons have a dud on their hands but what are their options? They can trade on Watts, but maybe get a second round pick or less for him or they can go chase a Tom Boyd, Jeremy Cameron and ditch him in an exchange deal that way. If they take the third path which is just keeping him on indefinately the bigger problem is, by investing the time and effort in Jack Watts who at Melbourne or who could potentially come in from outside the club is missing their shot because of his presence? It is a real privilege to be a league player, some people just do not grasp that chance. If I was Melbourne I would be looking to unload him and try for the Tom Boyd style trade first over the next couple of years. But keeping Watts at the Demons is holding the club back and hogging a squad spot of someone else who would be prepared to put in.