Last Friday’s match against Essendon followed his debut in the disappointing loss to Collingwood on Queen's Birthday. Watts made a contribution, kicking two goals, but again has come under heavy media scrutiny
That's been tough on Jack, considering he is studying year 12 in his first AFL season.
For Jack, the majority of his time this year has been spent at school. He only gets to train early in the morning or late afternoon, depending on his program, which the fitness staff has specifically designed for him.
We didn't get to see him much over the summer period or the first five or six rounds, because of his school commitments, but he's been with us for every session during his school holidays.
His training, application and endeavour to improve has been first class.
We understand where Jack is at and he knows what he has to do to get better. People also have to realise that last round was just his second AFL match.
He has come straight out of the TAC Cup and school footy, on the back of a limited pre-season. And now that he has played in the big league, people expect him to hold down a key position, but it's just not going to happen at the moment. Even some of the great No.1 picks – like Nick Riewoldt – needed time to develop.
Jack is only lightly built. His size and body shape won't allow him to play a key role until he is able to put the required hours in the gym. That's when we'll see the best of him.
And from what we've seen already, it's inevitable he is going to be a very good player.
Despite the hype surrounding Jack, he hasn't for one moment been caught up in it and that typifies the person he is.
Even after his first match, he was disappointed with the way he performed. But considering the amount of expectation placed on him, he has handled himself very well.
It goes with the type of person he is – very level-headed and humble, and already, all of the players love him and he's huge with the fans.
Last round we also saw another debutant in Liam Jurrah, whose background and entry into the AFL is far different to Jack's.
Everyone understands Liam's circumstances: he's also had a limited pre-season, but he's shown the skills to be a really good player. Liam is quietly spoken – a man of very few words – but like Jack, he has the right attributes.
Dean Bailey has consistently said he will select players who have played well for Casey and Jack and Liam have fallen into that category recently.
Against the Bombers, we saw glimpses of what they'll present in the future.
For an 18-year-old, Jack can only be commended for the way he has dealt with everything this year has presented so far.
He has done everything asked of him and you can't hope for much more than that.
Considering he is undertaking two demanding pursuits – he is doing a bloody good job at it!
And the best is yet to come.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
