Port Adelaide defender Jack Watts back in full training
After a horror leg injury cut short his 2019 season, Port Adelaide’s Jack Watts is building towards a return in time for the start of the new season, says fellow defender Tom Clurey.
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Port Adelaide utility Jack Watts is a chance to return from a serious leg to play his first AFL game in nearly a year in the Power’s season opener against Gold Coast, according to teammate Tom Clurey.
Defender Clurey said Watts, who suffered a broken leg in round two of last season, was back training with the main group at Alberton.
“He’s definitely a chance if he puts together a good month of training,” Clurey said this week.
“I’m sure he will definitely be around the mark come Round 1.
“We all know what he can do with the ball in hand and how damaging he is. I’m sure if his foot and body is holding up, he will be right up there.”
Clurey said Watts had been training with the backline group, a position he looked set to play last season before injury.
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“Wattsy has done a week or two of full training at the moment,” he said.
“He has to keep monitoring his foot a little bit, but he has had a really solid week or two at training and will look to keep building on that.”
He said the serious nature of Watt’s broken leg meant he still suffered some soreness at times but was generally managing well.
“It’s one of those ones where it’s just a week to week thing. You might be a little bit sore at times, but he just manages that. He does everything right,” he told the club website.
“He’s got a super kick either side of his body and he reads the play so well.
“He’s super important, and when he gets the ball in his hands, we know it’s going to go to one of our teammates.”
Clurey, who sustained a foot injury late last season, said he had been able to do most of the pre-season and was ready for the new campaign.
“I have been managed a little bit through a couple of sessions, but personally the body is fine,” he said.
“From a club perspective, it’s been a really positive two or three months.”