MELBOURNE has used the No.1 selection in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft to shore up its forward stocks by recruiting promising young goal-kicker Jack Watts.

Watts, 17, was chosen by the Demons over ruck prospect Nicholas Naitanui, who consequently went to West Coast with the second pick overall.

The Demons were keen to boost their firepower after the retirement of former skipper David Neitz and the serious achilles injury sustained by Russell Robertson during last season.

It also entered the draft with just two key forwards on its senior list in Brad Miller and Michael Newton.

Watts has been one of the most talked about youngsters leading into the draft owing to his dominant performances during the 2008 NAB AFL Under 18 Championships.

He was a member of the victorious Vic Metro team and claimed the Larke medal for the best player in division one. He was also the carnival's leading goalkicker with 15 majors, and was ranked third overall for contested marks and scoring assists.

Watts played for the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup last season, but owing to school football commitments with Brighton Grammar, didn't play the whole season.

The young gun recently described himself as a mobile forward capable of holding down a position at half-back. He's also keen to mix it with the best players in the land.

"When I get bigger, I would hope I can play with the best attributes that players like Nick Riewoldt, Adam Goodes and Dean Cox have," he told afl.com.au.

"A couple of extra inches height and about 15kg in weight would be handy."

Watts impressed at the October draft camp, blitzing the 20m sprint in a time of 2.82 seconds before finishing second overall in the agility test despite his height of 195cm.

He also ranked in the top 10 at the camp in vertical leap and in the repeat sprints.

Watts joins Matthew Kreuzer (Carlton), Bryce Gibbs (Carlton), Marc Murphy (Carlton), Brett Deledio (Richmond), Adam Cooney (Western Bulldogs), Brendon Goddard (St Kilda), Luke Hodge (Hawthorn) and Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda) as No.1 draft picks to be recruited this decade.