Two-time North Melbourne VFL best and fairest Jack Watkins hits the track with Port Adelaide

North Melbourne VFL captain Jack Watkins – likened by his coach to Kane Lambert – has moved in with his great mate and Port Adelaide star Zak Butters as he eyes his AFL chance.

Jack Watkins takes a kick for North Melbourne VFL, where he has won the past two best and fairests. Photo: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos

When Leigh “Patch’’ Adams was handing over the North Melbourne VFL coaching position to Tom Lynch late in 2022, he had some advice about the list.

“Keep Jack Watkins and you’ll be fine,’’ Adams said.

He had a high regard for Watkins.

Two years later, Lynch does too.

He’s seen the 23-year-old he regards as “another Kane Lambert’’ twice win the John Law Medal as the Roos’ VFL best and fairest, earn VFL team-of-the-year honours in 2024 and now get the chance to gain a place on Port Adelaide’s AFL list.

Watkins headed to Adelaide last week, moving in with his childhood friend and Port Adelaide star Zak Butters.

Port had contacted him at the end of the season, inviting him to train for an SSP listing.

He had his first session on Monday.

The quietly spoken Watkins says it’s a “huge opportunity’’ and something he’s been working towards since he joined the VFL Kangaroos in 2021.

“There are no promises or anything. It’s a chance. I’ll train hard and it will be up to them,’’ he says.

Jack Watkins joined the Roos after being delisted at Werribee. Photo: Jonathan DiMaggio/AFL Photos

Watkins was on Werribee’s list for two years but was let go after the cancelled 2020 season.

He did not get a senior game for the Bees but he had been a prominent player in a 2018 Western Jets team brimming with the brilliance of Butters.

The Jets judged Watkins their most consistent player and he ran third in the best and fairest.

By that stage he had already played senior football, for Melton South in the Ballarat league.

Watkins thought of himself as an “above average’’ Under 18 player but not a draft prospect.

“I was never really chance,’’ he says.

“I always wanted to play in the AFL but I had to go away and get better. I’ve had four or five years of putting in the work and I’ve seen results in the last two years at North.

“Tommy’s had a big role in that. He put a fair bit of belief into me. He backed me in and just told me to believe in myself.

From Melton South to the Western Jets - now, Jack Watkins leads North Melbourne's VFL team 🫡

Watch @NMFCReserves take on @sandyzebs from 2pm AEST: https://t.co/atodKpMqCOpic.twitter.com/sqEHXYfVoS

— 7AFL (@7AFL) May 5, 2024

“’Patch’ (Adams) gave me a go in the first place. He got me down there. That’s when we were pretty s***. We were losing by 100 points, week in, week out.’’

Watkins was given the North Melbourne captaincy in 2023 and a VFL representative jumper in 2024. It was a thrill to go to Adelaide and tackle the SANFL, but he was disappointed with his performance.

Lynch was chuffed with the recognition for a player he thinks has earned it.

“My son,’’ he replies at mention of Watkins. “I love him mate. He’s a go-about-my-business, no-fuss operator.’’

Jack Watkins at this year’s VFL media call. Photo: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos

Lynch holds up Watkins as a half-forward/midfielder in the mould of three-time Richmond premiership player Lambert, who was drafted from Williamstown.

“We think he’s another Kane Lambert,” he said.

“Adam Marcon (Roos assistant coach) is Kane’s best mate – they both went to Richmond and they played together for a long time – and our best comparison for ‘Watto’ is Kane Lambert.

“He can run and he runs AFL patterns. He reminds me so much of him, just coming up from half forward into stoppage and then spitting forward.

“It almost looks like he’s playing full-time mid.’

It's a shootout at Trevor Barker Beach Oval!

Great finish from Jack Watkins 👌

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— VFL / VFLW (@VFL) May 5, 2024

’

Lynch has told Watkins of the similarities.

Watkins admires how Lambert had to whack away in the VFL at the Northern Bullants and Williamstown for a few years before getting his chance with Richmond. A flag-filled, 135-AFL game career followed.

Lynch relates the story of another North Melbourne VFL player to illustrate Watkins’ character.

He challenged the player to improve his fitness and so improve his football.

“‘Watto’ took it upon himself to meet this kid twice a week in the morning to help get him fit and into good shape for his football,’’ Lynch says.

“No one knew. He wasn’t looking to get any benefit out of it himself. He’d only known the kid for six months. As a coach and a teammate, that’s something you dream of, that level of care.’’

Jack Watkins getting away a handball for the Western Jets in 2018. Photo: Robert Prezioso/AFL Media/Getty Images

Torin Baker, now an assistant at Carlton, coached Watkins at the Western Jets and has tracked his progress at North Melbourne.

“That resilience, that determination, that dedication to his footy comes through in his training,’’ Baker says. “He’s an elite runner and that’s come from him being prepared to do the work. He’s had some setbacks, but they’ve never really perturbed him. He’s just thought, ‘OK, what’s my next option?’ He’s very unflappable, off and on the field. It’s a great part of his nature.’’

Lynch says Watkins will “work his arse off and give himself every chance’’ at Port Adelaide.

“Sometimes all they need is an opportunity. Hopefully Port fall in love with him as much as I have,’’ he says.

Originally published as Two-time North Melbourne VFL best and fairest Jack Watkins hits the track with Port Adelaide