JACK Watts says he’s genuinely optimistic about the next three years at the club, despite tasting just 18 wins from his 73 AFL matches.

Watts penned a new three year deal with Melbourne on Tuesday, and said he was excited about the prospect of playing in the midfield under the tutelage of new coach, Paul Roos.

“With Roosy putting forward a midfield role to me, I really want to try and embrace that. The sky’s the limit really, and I haven’t been given that opportunity before,” he told melbournefc.com.au. 

“I think it will really suit me, but at the same time, I’ve got to put in the hard work and I’ll be ready to go come round one next year.

“I look forward to the team improving and getting that success that we haven’t had in recent years. I think that’ll turn around a whole lot, once you start winning games and you’re getting on top in games.

“Players’ form will improve, so I just see all of those things happening. Personally, I just see the team improving, and it’ll really help me as a player.”

Watts conceded it had been difficult being played in just about every position throughout his first five AFL seasons.

“You want to be able to concentrate on something and just practice it and practice it and that’s how you get better,” he said.

“Being thrown around, it has made it tough to really get a niche and just feel comfortable where you are, and work on that and get better and better and better at it.

“It’ll be great to have a bit of continuity in where you’re playing.”

Watts acknowledged it had been frustrating dealing with speculation about his future, but he was pleased to know it was locked in for the next three years.  

“You stick true to yourself. Everyone’s got their thoughts. [There are] rumours and that rubbish and we’re aware these days that the media is trying to get all over everything and they think they know everything,” he said.

“But I’m the one who’s going to make the decision in the end, and I knew that I wanted to stay the whole time, so that was the plan.

“When all that stuff comes up, you stay true to yourself and stay strong and great results come of it.”

Watts said he had to weigh up what was best for his future, and in the end it was remaining in the red and blue.

“The thing was that it’s been a real tough couple of years and people say you have to love the club, but it’s also my life at the same time,” he said.

“Trying to get people to understand that is hard at times. It’s your life and [it’s] the way that you’re perceived.

“You want to enjoy your life and I want to have fun and enjoy my time and enjoy success, so that’s why I signed at the Dees, because I can see that happening over the next few years.”