Jack Watts impresses in Dees' big win - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Jack Watts impresses in Dees' big win

Guy Hand 19/06/2011 06:09:44 PM Comments (0)

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey was reluctant to label it a breakout game for much-maligned No.1 AFL draft pick Jack Watts.

But with a quality display in a huge 89-point win over Fremantle on Sunday, Watts took a big step towards becoming the player the Demons so desperately hoped for when they took him ahead of West Coast excitement machine Nic Naitanui in the 2008 national draft.

Watts booted three goals and had 24 touches, but the 20-year-old also imposed himself on the game as he and the following year's No.1 draft pick Tom Scully ran riot against the Dockers.

Watts spent time both as a forward and higher up the ground, impressing in both roles after also showing plenty running off half-back earlier this season.

Bailey, though, is comfortable that Watts has already been taking the steps he wants him to before Sunday's effort.

"Jack's been reasonably consistent over the last period - I know he hasn't had a breakout game as such," Bailey said.

"What he has been able to do is consistently lift his level of involvement in games.

"You can see where he's going. You can see the progression with him."

Scully, who has been heavily linked with Greater Western Sydney, showed his talents with an impressive first quarter to get the Demons rolling towards their 22.17 (149) to 8.12 (60) win.

Youngster Jordie McKenzie also did a superb job on Dockers skipper Matthew Pavlich, keeping him to 17 touches and having 28 of his own.

While Melbourne's batch of youngsters continued their development, Fremantle are praying for reinforcements as they reach bare bones in their struggles with injury.

Coach Mark Harvey said ruckman Aaron Sandilands and livewire forward Hayden Ballantyne were chances to return for next weekend's clash with Brisbane.

But defender Antoni Grover looks set to miss at least one match with a minor groin muscle tear which sidelined him from the second quarter onwards.

Melbourne forward Ricky Petterd was reported for elbowing Dockers onballer Ryan Crowley in the head after the first quarter siren and will face match review panel scrutiny on Monday.

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