Jack Watts embarrassed by snorting video that will test AFL and Port Adelaide’s patience
Port Adelaide forward Jack Watts is embarrassed by his latest social media gaffe with Power chairman David Koch slamming the former No.1 pick’s actions as “utter stupidity”.
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Port Adelaide forward Jack Watts is accepting he has created a “shocking look” by snorting a white substance off a woman’s breast at last year’s Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.
The 27-year-old admits the greatest fall-out from the video released on social media at the weekend is with his family and the Port Adelaide Football Club that gave him an AFL lifeline with a four-year contract to revive his professional sporting career in the 2017 trade period.
“I’ve seen it ... it is a pretty shocking look,” Watts said at Alberton before Power training on Monday in his first public appearance since the video went viral on social media.
“I am, obviously, pretty disappointed with myself.
“And I can imagine what my parents and my sisters, watching a video like that, (are feeling) … it’s not a great feeling.
“The pain and burden I’ve brought onto the club and supporters and my teammates and coaches, it is probably what hurts me the most.”
Port Adelaide chairman David Koch labelled Watts’ actions “utter stupidity”.
“Just the height of stupidity,” Koch told FIVEaa.
“Yes, it was on holidays, yes, it was at Oktoberfest … and it was a consensual act between two adults. But having said that, putting yourself in that position is utter stupidity.
“It was simply brainless. We’re not hiding from it. It’s a terrible reflection on not only him but it’s a terrible reflection on the club, the playing group, our members. We’re embarrassed.”
Koch doubled down after saying on Monday, Watts was lucky he was still employed
“If it’s not this peppermint thing, he’ll have no place at the club. He assured us it was (not cocaine or an illegal substance),” he said on Sunrise.
Watts’ manager, Paul Connors, insists the 2008 AFL No.1 draftee was snorting a legal substance in Munich.
The Oktoberfest beer festival is well known for the increasingly popular ritual of snorting a white “pick-up” powder called “Wiesn Koks”. It is a mixture of glucose and menthol.
Watts says the video was made without his consent.
“I’m upset someone feels the need to video that,” Watts said. “And feels the need to send it on, but that’s the world we live in - and I have to realise that.”
Watts described the events since the video’s release as “a pretty shocking 24 hours”.
“But I am trying to keep some perspective in the whole situation,” Watts said.
“The fact I was not doing anything illegal ... and I’ve made a lot of changes since that video in my life. Really positives (changes) and I’m looking forward to continuing that.”
Port Adelaide and the AFL will fall short of having reason to insist Watts enter counselling as part of the league and players’ union illicit drug welfare program.
There is no iron-clad evidence to support a case of drug abuse against Watts, who is understood to have never failed a drug test either at Melbourne or Port Adelaide.
But the league’s integrity unit could enforce penalties on Watts for breaching the AFL’s respect and responsibility code that is very strict on how AFL players act with and portray women.
Port Adelaide was compelled to revisit what Koch terms as “stern” chats with Watts.
Externally, debate is divided on how the AFL and Port Adelaide should deal with Watts.
While some argue Watts did not breach any law of the land in Munch, former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon called for Watts to be fined simply for being stupid in his actions.
“It’s been pointed out this substance he’s seen to be sniffing off the chest of a woman at Oktoberfest is legal,” Lyon told SEN radio in Melbourne.
“Now, they will investigate that, but the stupidity involved in this on different levels.
“From a Port Adelaide point of view, they’d just look at that and shake their head and say, ‘Jack, what could you possibly achieve from something like this?’
“It’s a legal substance, but surely at some stage, and it looked like he’d had a few jugs of beer, and it is the off-season, but gee whiz, what a stupid look for the competition and kids that are coming up.
“We know that drugs are huge issue in society and sport, for the look itself, he deserves to be fined at least.
“From what we are told it’s not illegal, but the look is terrible. It’s not a hanging offence, it’s just a silly look.”
Originally published as Jack Watts embarrassed by snorting video that will test AFL and Port Adelaide’s patience
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