A COMBINATION of playing in attack and in the midfield remains the most likely scenario for Jack Watts in 2015.
Although drafted as a key forward in 2008, Watts has also spent time in defence and in the midfield.
Entering 2014, it seemed Watts was set to become a wingman, but by the season’s end, he was largely considered part of Melbourne’s attack – as a high half-forward type.
Ultimately, Watts’ versatility remains one of his best assets and he wants to build on that in 2015.
“I think in today’s game, it can vary. I can play forward and get thrown in the middle for a bit and then on the wing. I think how I’m playing will impact on that. If I’m up and about, they’ll try and get me up in the middle a bit and get me the ball,” he told Dee TV.
“That’s the thing that you’ve got to realise, if you’re playing that role in the team, if I’m half-forward, you might get less opportunity, but you’ve got to make the most of it.
“I probably enjoyed playing forward and a little bit in the midfield and I’ll be trying to work on that a bit more next year.”
Watts said the fact that he once again played in several roles in 2014 was a positive for the team – rather than a negative of not being able to settle in one position.
“I see it more of a strength – if anything. If you’re battling a bit in one position, you can try and find the footy or you’re playing really well, you can get up forward and try and kick a few,” he said.
“I think that’s probably a strength in being able to do that and playing through the middle and getting the footy, and help down back, if an injury happens during the game. You can always go back and fill some holes.
“I think as we keep getting better and better – hopefully I can keep using that more of a strength.”
Despite his ability to play as a utility, Watts still has some clear areas he wants to improve next year.
“I want to become a better forward and marking forward. I want to get harder over the ball and I want to win my own footy more and I [want to work on] my concentration lapses,” he said.
“The biggest thing for us – personally and as a team – is the mental side of it, and really trying to believe in what we’re doing and believe in each individual that we’re good enough and we can become a really good team.
“I think once that starts to happen and once that starts to get rolling, it’ll be really powerful for us. It’s probably the most important thing I see over pre-season – building that with the group, building relationships, building trust and becoming a lot closer and a lot stronger mentally to be able to push through anything that comes up.”