Port Adelaide set to leave Jack Watts out of clash against former club Melbourne on Friday night

MELBOURNE discard Jack Watts is unlikely to get a crack at his former teammates this season with a settled Port Adelaide set to be unchanged for Friday night’s clash at Adelaide Oval.

Jack Watts in action for Port Adelaide in the SANFL. Picture: Sarah Reed

MELBOURNE discard Jack Watts is unlikely to get a crack at his former teammates this season with a settled Port Adelaide not looking to make selection changes for Friday night’s clash at Adelaide Oval.

Coach Ken Hinkley has guaranteed teenager Todd Marshall’s selection and the Power do not face the Demons again in the home-and-away season.

Watts, 27, produced a brilliant SANFL performance for Port Adelaide and impressed the club with his intensity and body language.

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The former No.1 draft pick booted 3.2 from 17 disposals and laid two tackles. Watts also took four marks inside 50m, racked up nine score involvements and recorded 123 SuperCoach points.

But it would be tough for Watts to back up just five days later after he was given a full match in the reserves on Sunday.

Port Adelaide legend Kane Cornes said Watts lacked urgency.

Jack Watts marks during Port Adelaide’s SANFL match. Picture: Sarah Reed

“He doesn’t play desperate enough. His second efforts often let him down,” Cornes wrote in a column.

Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd also called for Watts to “get desperate” and win his place back.

Meanwhile, Hinkley called on Watts to find more of the ball and kick more goals.

“We did bring Jack to the club in more of a finishing role,” Hinkley said on Fox Footy.

“That’s what we look for more so than the other stuff (urgency) — but there’s a level of the other stuff that has to be right.”
Port defensive coach Nathan Bassett gave Watts a tick after his first axing at his second club.

“Jack went well. He worked on the areas he needed to improve on,” Bassett said.

“He gave a good contest, brought the ball to ground (and) finished well too. There’s some chance (he could play the Demons).

“But, in saying that, the guys that played performed well. The guys all performed their roles in front of him.

“It’s great that we’ve got more than 22 playing well, that’s what you’re looking for.”

It was Watts’ 10th spell in the reserves across his career.

Bassett said the five-day break shouldn’t hurt Watts, citing Jasper Pittard’s recent return five days after a SANFL hit-out.

Jack Watts in the SANFL. Picture: Sarah Reed

Jack Trengove celebrates a goal. Picture: Sarah Reed

Watts and fellow former Demon Jack Trengove were best players as Port Adelaide’s reserves fought back from 21 points down to defeat SANFL premier Sturt.

Trengove finished with 27 disposals, two goals and six tackles and Bassett said he was the club’s most consistent SANFL player.

“He is ready if a spot opens up,” Bassett said.

Port defender Tom Jonas is a chance to return while Darcy Byrne-Jones is in doubt with a tight hamstring.

The Power and Demons are both 8-4 and hunting a place in the top four.

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