Jack Watts’ heartfelt message to Port Adelaide fans - and the wider footy community - in wake of horror leg injury

His doctors said it resembled a car accident injury. But Port Adelaide’s Jack Watts says the most painful thing about breaking his leg is being unable to repay the club for supporting him during a summer of turmoil.

Jack Watts pressures former teammate Nathan Jones in Round 1. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

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Port Adelaide’s Jack Watts says the most painful thing about breaking his leg is being unable to repay the club for supporting him during a summer of turmoil.

Speaking for the first time since the three-hour surgery to fix his leg and dislocated ankle he suffered in Port’s Round 2 win over Carlton, Watts says he will spend the next four months doing everything possible to return to footy.

“It’s hard not to get down in the dumps straight after it happens but I feel like I owe the club

and supporters a fair bit,” Watts said.

Jack Watts of Port Adelaide hold his ankle in agony after a tackle from Carlton’s Dale Thomas in Round 2. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

“Especially for me after what’s gone on in the off-season, and I was just starting to sort of pay that back a little bit and then this happens.

“That’s the thing that hurts the most, not being able to get out there and put on the jumper and play for your club.

“That’s frustrating but I can only tackle what’s in front of me so I’ll be bringing a positive mindset and hopefully getting back as soon as I can.”

Watts was embroiled in two off-field scandals in the pre-season but played some of the best football of his career in the first two weeks of the season when he as moved to half-back.

Watts tackles former teammate Angus Brayshaw during an impressive performance for Port Adelaide in Round 1. Picture: Michael Klein.

But the 28-year-old has a vivid recollection of the moment when he was tackled by Carlton’s Dale Thomas and carried off on a stretcher at Adelaide Oval.

“It all happened pretty quickly to be honest, I’d been caught a couple of times that day, Boaky gave me a handball and there wasn’t much on up the field and it’s just one of those things,” he said.

“Unfortunately Daisy tackled me from the blind spot and I planted my foot as he landed on my leg and I felt it go straight away.

“The first thing I felt was that leg snap so that was almost frustration really, then I didn’t have any pain from that point on until post surgery.

“It’s one of those things, you can’t do much about it and it will get better.

“When it gets described as like a motor vehicle accident by the docs it’s a pretty serious one, I’ve been lucky over my career - a couple of broken collarbones and fingers but that’s about it. So it’s been a good run which has come to an end.”

Jack Watts on the burst against North Melbourne at Alberton Oval during the JLT Series. Picture Sarah Reed

Jack Watts fires off a handpass in Round 1. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Pockett

Watts said the surgery was a success and he had been touched by the support of Power fans and the wider football community.

“The surgeon was really happy, he was able to get everything back in place, the ankle was dislocated and blown so all the ligaments and everything holding your ankle to your leg was detached,” he said.

“Even the (support from the) wider community, the amount of messages (I’ve received from people) who are quick to tell you ‘I’m a Crows or a Dees supporter’, but footy is a game we play that we all love and there is so much more to life than just footy.

“It has a bigger impact on your life and people can relate to that I think from the wider community, and the amount of people I’ve had who say they’re going through a terrible time and that five minutes of listening to me gave them a bit of hope.

“If we can help other people in any way we can, that’s where you get the most satisfaction in life.”

Watts plans to visit family in Melbourne and get involved with the Power’s Aboriginal programs in between university commitments before starting his long road to rehab at the club.

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Originally published as Jack Watts’ heartfelt message to Port Adelaide fans - and the wider footy community - in wake of horror leg injury