JACK Watts has made a passionate plea to the red and blue faithful to “stick with us” following Melbourne’s shocker against Port Adelaide at the MCG on Easter Sunday.
Watts spoke openly and honestly following the 79-point loss.
“They’ve (the supporters) stuck by us for this long through all of this crap that we’ve been through, and we’re going to have to change something,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“We’re hating it as much as everyone else, and it is painful at the moment, but if you stick through these toughest times, the good times will be a lot more rewarding.
“We’re doing everything to repay your faith.”
Watts said he was “devastated” after the match.
“I didn’t see it coming at all, the work that we’ve been able to put in over the pre-season has been A-grade,” he said.
“Coming in today, I was feeling really confident. For something like that to happen out on the field was embarrassing.
“I can’t explain it to be honest, so I’ll look forward to six days’ time, when we have another opportunity.”
Watts said some “home truths” came out behind closed doors.
“After a game like that, it was up there with the worst three hours that we’ve had as a unit,” he said.
“The pre-season has been top notch, so to come out and play like that – that’s what we do it all for, to come and perform on game day.
“It just didn’t happen at all. The main messages are we’re going to have to change something.”
Watts said the confidence and mindset disappeared once the Power took control.
“We’ve been losing for so long now – what can you do?” he said.
“At the moment, we just crumble and it’s disappointing.
“Neeldy is pretty firm on moving on - we’re going to have to cop whatever we cop, and we get another opportunity in six days’ time to prove to ourselves that we’re not a laughing stock of the competition.
“We need a few blokes to stand up, myself included, and get us going the right way.”