Former no.1 draft pick Jack Watts opens up on footy and retirement life

Former no.1 draft pick Jack Watts has revealed why he retired from AFL early and his big career plans for life beyond the footy field.

Former AFL star Jack Watts is back in Melbourne and focusing his time on his fashion brand Skwosh. Picture: Mark Stewart

Jack Watts has opened up about his shock retirement and how he fell out of love with the game.

Watts announced his exit in September last year after injury cut short his season with Port Adelaide. He was traded from Melbourne at the end of 2017, and still had a year to go on his four-year deal with Port.

“It wasn’t an easy run and then just as things start to look like they’re shaping the right way I go and snap my ankle,’’ Watts, 29, told the Herald Sun.

“Just the intensity of the environment was starting to get to me. I’m pretty happy to be away from it all and hopefully in a little while I find that love for the game again and enjoy coming back to the games and watching the boys.

“When you’re in footy it’s like the most important thing in the world and there’s no perspective. I can’t say I’ve missed it too much.”

The 2008 no.1 draft pick was a much maligned utility in his time at the Demons but hopes to one day look back on his 174-game career with pride.

Jack Watts at Port Adelaide Training Photo Kelly barnes

“It’s always something I’ve got to remind myself because it is pretty easy to look at what went wrong and how it was tough, but to play 174 games for 12 years I think it was at the highest level,’’ he said.

“To keep on fighting and stick at it and give it everything I’ve got, it is certainly something to be proud of and something I will be proud of.

“I was drafted at the end of year 11 and was trying to do year 12 while playing.

“It’s made me who I am.”

Watts was considering a move to Byron Bay but will remain in Melbourne with family and friends. He is studying an MBA and also working on expanding his fashion brand Skwosh, which has just announced a partnership with the Peter’s Drumstick to celebrate the fun Australian beach lifestyle.

“The exciting part for me is how much I’m enjoying the next part of life,’’ he said.

“Putting time and effort into Skwosh, I can definitely see my role selling it into overseas markets and that’s my strength.

“It’s been not a super successful happy career, but it’s been a great time.

“It’s probably set me up pretty well for what’s next and I’m actually looking forward to it.

“A lot of guys when they finish playing footy, they wish they were still playing or they miss it so much. Which fortunately or unfortunately enough, I don’t really have that feeling towards it.”

Watts said he holds no grudge against the Demons and is looking forward to getting back to the MCG.

“I spent 10 years of my life there and love the boys, supporters and there’s always a few people at clubs you don’t see eye to eye with,’’ he said.

“I look forward to using my MCC membership and having a drink and watching the boys.”