Emotional Jack Watts reveals off-season torment and finally relief after Port Adelaide’s upset win over Melbourne

Port Adelaide’s Jack Watts has given an emotional post-game interview after the Power’s win over Melbourne, revealing there were weeks when he didn’t want to get out of bed in the off-season.

Jack Watts gets a kick away in Port’s win over Melbourne. Picture: Michael Dodge (Getty).

Port Adelaide’s Jack Watts has given an emotional post-game interview after the Power’s win over Melbourne, revealing there were weeks when he didn’t want to get out of bed in the off-season.

The former Melbourne forward turned Power defender was embroiled in two off-field scandals over summer but the trust from his coaches and teammates never waned and he repaid them big-time in Port’s 26-point win over the Demons on Saturday.

“It was a really tough few months to be honest, coming up against your old mob too, some of my best mates there, and after those last few months that day was just incredible, what a fight by the boys,” Watts told Fox Footy immediately after the game.

”It’s just pure relief. I had weeks where I didn’t want to get out of bed and I’ve never experienced anything like that. I’ll cop more sh** from people saying I’m no good at footy for a thousand years compared to what I’ve been through the last few months.”

Watts said he was incredibly proud of his teammates after they conceded the first three goals to Melbourne then fought back and held them scoreless in the last quarter to produce a Round 1 upset.

Watts starred across half-back for the Power against his old side the Demons. Picture: Daniel Pockett (AAP).

He heaped praise on Port’s debutants including first-year players Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma.

“We’ve all bought in to what we’re trying to do, when things aren’t going well we’re not panicking, we just stick to what we know and what we’ve been training which is playing some bold footy,” he said.

“Some of the young guys today, my god, I think back to my first game, they’ve had a bit of a different day to what I did and I’m so happy we’ve been able to give them that opportunity.

“They’re not given these games because they’re high draft picks, the only reason they got these games is because all pre-season they lit up the track and did things that we saw today.

“It’s such a great way to come into a group not being given games and earning your spot, I’m so proud of them, they’re 18 years old, I can’t believe it the way they played today.

Watts starred with 22 disposals and nine marks in his new role across half-back after being trailled there and on the wing in the pre-season.

“I spoke about it with Kenny to the coaches at the end of last year trying to get the ball a bit more and try to free me up,” he said.

“Half forward is a pretty tough role in today’s footy so we spoke about a bit of wing and half back and I’m pretty happy there to be honest.”

Former Melbourne coach Paul Roos said Watts “did everything” in the game and Hinkley would be “delighted”.

Fellow commentator and Melbourne great Garry Lyon agreed.

“At half back all you’ve got to do is halve a contest and he gets a pat on the back and applause from the crowd,” Lyon said.

“He looks like he’s been playing half-back-flank from day one, he looks composed and assured back there, they’d be absolutely delighted (with him).”

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