IN TERMS OF player scrutiny, few have attracted more in the competition than Jack Watts in recent times.

Everyone has had an opinion on the 21 year-old.

The questions have flowed in thick and fast ever since he was the first player selected in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft.

Everything ranging from his draft pick status through to his position in the side has been hotly debated by all and sundry in football.

On Saturday, Watts - and another player who has come under the microscope, Sam Blease - were Melbourne’s standout performers in an otherwise miserable 101-point loss to Sydney Swans at the SCG.

Both returned to the senior side after stints with Casey. Blease had played in the VFL ever since he was left out of the Melbourne team following round one, and Watts had played the past couple of matches with the Scorpions after stringing together 42 consecutive games for the Demons.

Watts, who said coach Mark Neeld had “been really good with me”, spoke openly about his return to Casey, and said it proved pivotal in hindsight.

“There is so much said in the press, and they all said ‘he’s got dropped’, but it was the best thing for me,” he told melbournefc.com.au.

“To get back there [in the AFL] and to actually realise that I can play the game - that was a big confidence builder for me.

“With me and Sam [Blease] we’re users of the ball and smart with the ball, and that’s what we wanted to bring to the game.

“I’m pleased for Bleasey and to have a good game at AFL level, it shows that we can do it. Now we’ve got to back it up week-in-week-out.”

The likeable Watts, whose resilience is much-underrated, has copped plenty of heat along the way, but has taken it all in his stride. 

“It was frustrating early on. It was tough to deal with in the first few games, but Neeldy has given me that chance in the VFL and it’s given me the confidence that I can still do it,” he said.

“I appreciated that and from there, everyone is going to write something, and there is always going to be things said.

“Do I let that all get to me and bloody curl up in a corner? No, I can’t do that, so I’ve just got to get on with it and keep my head up and stay positive.

“It’s the same as where we’re at, at the moment. We’ve got to stay positive and keep working hard.”

Despite being drafted as a key forward, Watts has arguably played his best football in his 46-game career out of defence.

Although it’s created somewhat of a ‘Robbing Peter to pay Paul’ scenario at the moment - given Watts has been earmarked as a key forward - it could benefit him in the long run.

If Watts can continue that type of form down back, he will surely grow in confidence. It will add flexibility to his game and he could return to attack a better player. If not, all is not lost, as the club has found a critical player down back for the long-term.

Coach Mark Neeld said last week Watts could effectively play any position on the ground. And that could be his greatest strength, which Watts acknowledged could be the case.

“Yeah, definitely, and that’s what I’ve got to prove to the coaches,” he said.

“I’ve got to be disciplined in all of the roles, but hopefully I can help out where they really need me.”

His performance against the Swans as an “attacking rebounder” was his best AFL match yet. He amassed 34 disposals and was regarded as the second best player of the match, according to Champion Data player rankings.

Watts said his ability to “read the play from behind the footy” was one of his key attributes, as he explained his role against Sydney.

“At the beginning of the game, I was just going to be that attacking rebounder and play on one of their smalls and go up to stoppages. I then had to drop off a little bit and then get involved on the way out,” he said.

“When I came forward, I played as that seventh free defender - just to try and read the ball and not give them that one-on-one option deep.”

Although his versatility appears to now be his biggest asset, Watts said only one thing interests him at the moment. 

“I’d enjoy winning to be honest,” he said.

“That’s the tough thing - I’ll do anything and I’ll play anywhere. I’ll get two touches or no touches - I don’t care - as long as we start winning.

“It doesn’t matter what I do or other individuals do - it’s what we can achieve as a team, and it’s what you get judged on as your individual career.”

On Saturday, plenty judged Melbourne.

The Demons suffered a 101-point loss - a shocker in anyone’s language - yet there were still some positives to be found.

Watts and Blease were undoubtedly Melbourne’s biggest highlights - aside from Jeremy Howe’s mark of the year offering - from the match. They showed genuine character to perform against the odds, when few other things went right on the night.

Given the scrutiny the two have faced, particularly Watts, it was an important step in their development. They showed they could stand up in adversity and proved that, in the long term, they are integral parts of the plan.

Watts’ critics will have plenty to say about Melbourne this week, but they can at least acknowledge his contribution against the odds.

And that takes character.