THE influence of game analyst and education coordinator Craig Jennings to Melbourne’s coaching ranks has been significant, according to forward Jack Watts.

Watts, who has booted 17 goals this season, said Jennings’ influence since joining the club from the Western Bulldogs, after 10 years at Essendon had been telling.

“I think the coaching we’ve received, especially this pre-season with Craig Jennings coming onboard, [has been outstanding]. He knows more about footy than anyone I’ve ever met [and] he’s really helped us with our ball movement and set-ups and structure,” Watts told Melbourne TV.

“[He’s] got us playing a really confident brand of footy, which certainly changes the way we play and helps me as a forward. I think when we’re averaging over 50 inside 50s, compared to averaging high 30s over the past … [personally] it’s a lot easier to get on the scoreboard, to take marks and have a bit of an impact.

“I think his knowledge of the game and the way he speaks to the players – he has quite individual personal relationships with each player and gets each player ticking. [He] just instills confidence in us and the way he goes through the opposition and gives us a plan for the week on how to beat the opposition that we’re coming up against [is crucial].

“I think that’s a lot different to what we’ve had in the past and that leaves us feeling really confident. He’s obviously changed the way we coach our team and the way the coaches see the game as well which has helped us as a team and me personally.”

Watts, who is arguably having his best season at the club, said he was enjoying playing as a permanent forward.  

“[I’m] still going a little bit quiet in patches of games, which is a bit frustrating, but overall [I’m] pleased with the impact I can have and I can definitely see that improving over the year as I keep getting better,” he said.

“When you’re getting 50 inside 50s and above each week, it obviously makes it a lot easier. When we’re moving the balls and getting coached to move the ball properly, that certainly helps me.

“I think it probably has been my best year playing as a forward with the amount of goals I’ve been kicking and it’s due to the great coaching that we’ve had.”