Speaking at a media conference on Wednesday to talk about the recruitment of 2010 Collingwood premiership player Chris Dawes, Neeld said that Watts’ impressive form down back this year meant he would be part of the club’s future defence.
“We see Jack as that defender - that’s where he played the majority of the year,” he said.
“We see Jack as forming part of the back six.”
Neeld said the acquisition of Dawes means he will form an imposing twin tower duo in attack, working with last year’s boom recruit Mitch Clark. He added that the likes of midfielders Jack Grimes, Jack Trengove and Nathan Jones would benefit from having key targets up forward.
“He comes in and it’s terrific for Mitch Clark and the rest of the team to have a big body down there,” he said.
“He’s (Dawes) also managed to play in the last five finals series and if you include the drawn grand final, he’s played in three grand finals and played in a flag.
“We’re certainly not underestimating what that brings to our group and we’ve added Shannon Byrnes as well, so between them, there’s a lot of experience out of great clubs. The knowledge to pass onto our boys, about what it’s like to play at the pointy end [will be invaluable].”
Neeld said the club hadn’t ruled out Essendon’s Scott Gumbleton or North Melbourne’s Cam Pedersen.
“We believe we do [have room for at least one], possibly not both,” he said.
“There’s another couple of players that we’re keen to talk about. We’ll have those conversations.”
