Bailey says Watts will be a goalkicker - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Bailey says Watts will be a goalkicker

Greg Buckle 13/06/2011 10:38:17 PM Comments (0)

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey insists Jack Watts is going to be the long-term answer to the AFL club's goalkicking woes.

The 10th-placed Demons managed only six goals in Monday's 88-point loss to defending premiers Collingwood at the MCG.

Watts had 19 possessions and is averaging 15.6 touches per game this season, the best of his three-year career.

The 20-year-old has kicked eight goals in 2011 for a career total of 20 and has spent time in defence this year.

The No.1 Pick in the 2008 Draft had big expectations placed on him but Bailey says Demons fans can rightly expect the 196cm former Sandringham junior to eventually emerge as a reliable key forward.

"Jack is really progressing," Bailey told Fox Sports program On The Couch on Monday night.

"He's a 29-game player now. He's a very good decision-maker.

"Eventually inside 50 close to goal he'll start to put a few goals together.

"You're starting to see the speed and he has got a very good motor as well.

"I'm convinced the way he's developing that he can still be a guy who comes out of the goal-square.

"He can get behind the ball (and play in defence) if we need him because he does read the play particularly well.

"But we've drafted him to be a forward goalkicker and given time he'll certainly be able to do that."

Bailey also tried to fend off the latest reports that the 2009 No.1 Draft Pick Tom Scully would quit the Demons to sign with new team Greater Western Sydney in 2012.

Bailey says he speaks regularly with the 20-year-old.

"We talk about his future at the Melbourne footy club. I expect him to be a player at Melbourne for the next 12 or 13 years," Bailey said.

"I just see him as a very loyal young man who wants to make his mark at a club and he has got a great platform to do that at Melbourne."

Former Melbourne forward David Schwarz said on Sunday he felt Scully was a 98 per cent chance to join GWS.

"I think Tom Scully's gone, Ithink he's signed. For Melbourne it's a bitter blow," Schwarz told the Seven Network's AFL Game Day.

Bailey said he hadn't spoken to Bailey about Schwarz's comment.

"I can only go on how I talk to Tom," Bailey said.

"He's a football head, he loves the game and he really wants to make Melbourne a great place to have a great career for him."

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