COACH Paul Roos says versatile tall Jack Watts is now likely to settle in a high half-forward position.
Speaking on Triple M before Melbourne’s clash against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday afternoon, Roos said Watts had impressed in that role in recent weeks.
“We’ll probably settle him in that high half-forward role,” he said.
“I think he’s been really competitive in that in the last couple of weeks and that’s what we want him to do.
“Even the contested mark he took on the wing last week – and the body work he showed against the Crows – we erred a little bit in throwing him around a bit too much and we did that to a lot of our players. And that’s just coaches getting to know players and players getting to know us.
“I reckon there is an opportunity for him as a high half-forward and as a deep forward, because he’s going to draw a mismatch at times because of his size. I think his last two weeks have been his benchmark games.”
Roos said the Demons were also teaching youngster Jack Viney to “turn his body in” when he was attacking the footy, so he could protect himself.
“He’s that hard, we’re trying to change his technique a bit,” he said.
“Guys like Jude [Bolton] and Kirky (Brett Kirk) … you’ve got to have the ability to protect yourself, so he’s got to be a turn the body type of player and he’s learning that, but he can’t change dramatically when you’re so hard at the footy.
“I love the way he competes and I love the way he goes after it and he’s a really good tackler and what’s a little bit underestimated is his outside speed. I reckon he can be a good outside player as well.
“It’s a slight adjustment, but it’s not a dramatic thing.”
Roos said in form defender Tom McDonald was most likely to line up on Tiger forward Jack Riewoldt, and he was adamant former Crow Aidan Riley was set to make an impact around the clearances in his first game for the club.
“He’s hard and tough and saw a bit of him at the Crows – mainly the forward role – and his stoppage work is elite and he’s a real hard nut,” he said.
“He’s a great tackler and someone we want to get around the footy, but also deep forward, where he can put real pressure forward of the ball.”
Meanwhile, Roos said second-year Demon Jimmy Toumpas – a very late call-up after Neville Jetta (gastro) went out of the side – had been developing strongly via Casey in the VFL.
“We want to set minimum standards throughout our whole football club … and part of what’s happened here before is that guys have been gifted a game,” he said.
“Jimmy, I spoke to him during the week, and I’m really pleased with his progress and progress can happen in the seconds. It doesn’t just happen in the seniors.
“He’s just tidying up his game and he’s moving forward and he’s getting better … we’re really confident to play him.”
