Jack Watts says his best footy is yet to come

MELBOURNE forward Jack Watts says he has shrugged off serious groin soreness and wants to play a key role in the Demons’ new-look forward line.

Melbourne Demons players visit their old school Brighton Grammer. Chris Dawes, Jack Watts and Christian Salem kick the footy around with students Felix Flockart (13) and Campbell Tweedie (13). Picture: Jake Nowakowski

MELBOURNE forward Jack Watts says he has shrugged off debilitating groin soreness and wants to play a key role in the Demons’ new-look forward line.

Watts was held back from much of the pre-season with groin pain but will be back into full training on Saturday after overcoming the lingering soreness.

Demons fans cannot wait to see much-hyped forward Jesse Hogan strut his stuff and Chris Dawes has finally had his first uninterrupted pre-season at Melbourne.

It means Watts can slot into the forward line as a handy foil for his powerful attacking teammates rather than be the dominant marking target.

Watts on Thursday returned to Brighton Grammar as the Demons list visited the inner-eastern suburbs they admit they have neglected in recent years.

Those heartland suburbs were once the stronghold of the club but there are 4000 lapsed members the Demons are now determined to re-engage.

“I was pretty sore early on but we caught it really early and I had a lay-off and am building back into it. I am back in full training and match play so it’s been a bit slower than I am used to but I have still got five or six weeks (until Round 1) and plenty of time,’’ Watts told the Herald Sun.

“I trained the first week of pre-season and was a bit sore and then it really started to flare up and we got some scans. It was an aggravation of the attachment (to the muscle) but I have been able to do lots of straight-line running and keep myself fit and once you start playing games you get that fitness base.”

Demons Chris Dawes, Jayden Hunt, Jack Watts and Christian Salem at Brighton Grammar. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Watts believes he still has huge improvement after a 2014 season with some excellent games yet others that came in for intense criticism.

Coach Paul Roos put everyone on the trade table at season’s end, but Watts says he was never leaving Melbourne.

“I was really committed to hanging around because you can feel and see what’s happening at this footy club.

“We didn’t get the wins but with Roosy and the succession plan with Goody (Simon Goodwin) and the admin being solid and the club performing financially it feels like everything is fitting into place.

“I am really trying to work on my marking so I can play in our forward line with a healthy Chris Dawes and Jesse Hogan, and if I can work with them I can be a threat.

“I feel like I have got a lot of scope for improvement and at 23 the best is still in front of me.”

Last year their financial turnaround resulted in a profit of $285,000 but the Demons believe those inner-city members could help them hit their goal of 35,000 members by Round 1.

“It’s a great idea because growing up around this region, you know how many Melbourne supporters there are,’’ Watts said.

“Over the last few years maybe we took them for granted but we are really keen to get into the heartland areas and get them back on board.”

Originally published as Jack Watts says his best footy is yet to come