Career
Tackles: 53
Todd Viney’s season assessment
Wattsy had a really good year. He got tired towards the end of the season, but developed as a key forward during the middle part of the season. He took some contested marks and he worked really hard for a forward. His work-rate up the ground was also good. I reckon he took some confidence when we put him behind the ball, but we just need him to show some further improvement next year. We’re looking forward to his continual improvement. He’s still got a fair way to go, but we reckon he’ll get there.
Comments made by 2011 Melbourne coaching staff members Mark Williams, Brad Gotch and Kelly O’Donnell
AFL: Round 1 v Sydney Swans
Jack had a solid game. He was good with some of his contested work, while he also laid three tackles and made five spoils when he was outnumbered. Mark Williams
AFL: Round 2 v Hawthorn
Jack took a really good contested mark and involved himself in the play, but needed to make an influence with every possession he got. Mark Williams
AFL: Round 3 v Brisbane Lions
Jack laid five tackles, which was really pleasing. His physicality really started to improve, but he needed to be more involved with winning the ball and using it. Mark Williams
AFL: Round 4 v Gold Coast Suns
Jack came on for Liam Jurrah, as a substitute, and quickly ran around and got involved. He was good with his physicality and did a few good things for the time he was on the ground. Mark Williams
AFL: Round 5 - Bye
AFL: Round 6 v West Coast Eagles
Jack had his best game for the year. He really attacked the ball hard in the air and used it really well. He took a big step forward. Mark Williams
Jack continued to build his game. He took some great contested marks and hit the scoreboard again, which helped the team. It was also terrific to see his physicality improve. Mark Williams
AFL: Round 8 v North Melbourne
Wattsy had another good game. He was lively early and competed really well. He won more of his own ball and continued to tackle and apply pressure, which had been his focus in his previous three matches. His distribution of the ball down back also helped us set up some important passages of play. Mark Williams
Matty was very solid again. He was rarely beaten one-on-one and his desperation was fantastic. His decision-making was very good. Mark Williams
Jack was used as a spare early and performed his role well. He continued to involve himself in the contest and improved again. He had put some good form together. Mark Williams
AFL: Round 11 v Essendon
Jack was very solid again. His work-rate around the ground was excellent. He took some very important marks one-on-one. He kicked a great goal at the start of the game, but the important thing was that he still ran hard at the end of the game. Mark Williams
AFL: Round 13 v Fremantle
Jack had a game where he showed his capabilities and skills. He had 10 handball receives, nine contested possessions, six marks and kicked three goals. He continued to build his confidence and status within our team. It was a game that reflected his progression this season. Mark Williams
Jack continued his solid form. His physicality continued to build, and his impact with the ball was very important for our team. He took some strong marks under pressure, and kicked two important goals. It was another step forward for Jack. Mark Williams
Jack was a little bit quieter than he had been in previous weeks. But his work-rate continued to be outstanding and he continued to provide a target for our backs to use on a counter-attack. His contested marking had also clearly improved. This was another important game to get under his belt. Mark Williams
Jack did some good things. He went down back and had a bit of an impact, but we didn’t get the ball to him much. Mark Williams
Jack was probably our best player. He kicked two goals and had 21 possessions. He also took nine marks. When he was in offence, he was lively, and presented really well. And when he was down back, he took some solid intercept marks under immense pressure. He directed play very well and switched well with his run-and-carry. He continued a very consistent season. Mark Williams
AFL: Round 21 v West Coast Eagles
Jack’s composure and ground balls improved enormously with his confidence. He used the ball well and set up several scoring opportunities for us with his defensive involvement. He continued to provide a connection for the backs to use coming out of defence. Mark Williams
Wattsy was a little bit quieter than he had been in the previous month. His work-rate wasn’t up to his normal standard and his ball use was also down a little bit. He kicked one goal. Mark Williams
When Jack controlled the ball, he made good decisions. He won some good contested possessions, but dropped some easy marks that could have elevated the effectiveness of his game. We needed Jack to continue to take the game on and impact with his decision-making and skills. Mark Williams
Wattsy had a quiet game. He couldn’t get involved in the game as much as we would’ve liked. His tackling was a highlight and he had four scoring involvements. Jack made some big steps forward this year, and built a great foundation for his career from here. Mark Williams