JACK Watts says he’s rapt to be back from injury and notching up his 150th game with good mate Jack Trengove back by his side against Port Adelaide at the MCG this Saturday.
Watts will become the 60th player for Melbourne to achieve 150 games – a fine achievement given 1334 players have donned the red and blue since it became a foundation VFL/AFL club in 1897.
After missing the past four matches with a hamstring injury, the versatile tall said he was itching to play this weekend. And he was over the moon for Trengove, who is set to play his first match this season.
“It’s a little [milestone] with my 150, so I’m pretty excited, but it’s pretty special having my mate Trenners come in,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“It’s just exciting for me in this late part of the year to know we’re still playing for something.
“Port is playing some really good footy, so hopefully we’ll get a huge crowd and with Trenners playing – it’s an important game. There hasn’t been a bigger game for us this year than this weekend.”
Watts acknowledged it had been a “frustrating” month, having not played since Melbourne’s win over the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium in round 13. But he said his hamstring was now “feeling really good”.
“It’s great to be back now. I feel refreshed and I’m feeling really fit and strong, and I can’t wait to get back out there with the boys,” he said.
Watts, who was the No.1 pick in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft, said his career had been a long journey. But in typical, good-natured style, Watts said with a laugh “hopefully the next 150 will be even better”.
“It’s something I’ll look back on and be pretty proud of. To be able to get through and keep persevering – not many get to 150, so it’ll be a proud moment running out on Saturday,” he said.
“I won’t know the significance of it until you finish up. To be honest, I want to go as under the radar as possible on Saturday and hopefully we just come away with a win. It’s certainly something you’ll look back on at the end of your career.
“Those 100, 150 or 200 games – whatever they might be – you look back and say ‘I was pretty proud to pull on the Melbourne jumper and put in that blood, sweat and tears for the club and your family and friends’.”
