MELBOURNE youngster Jack Watts admitted he had a tough day at the office after the West Coast Eagles upset Melbourne by 29 points at the MCG, but was confident his performance was a step in the right direction.

After weeks playing in the VFL, Watts finally received the call-up from coach Dean Bailey, and the 19-year old didn’t disappoint, collecting 15 disposals and taking five marks - two of them contested.

“It’s completely different than the VFL level - in the first quarter today I was cooked - it was a whole other level,” he said.

“It was a lot cleaner, while the way the structures are and the way we play as a team is a lot different. It was great to be out there, but I am getting used to it.”

Watts defended the stand of the club in not selecting him earlier in the season.

“I think this year the club has done the right thing - I had to earn my spot.
I struggled with an injury pre-season, missed the intra-club games, missed the NAB Cup and had to earn my stripes through the VFL,” he said

“Last week kicking four and playing pretty well with the VFL, I thought I earned it and it’s a lot better way to come into the team.”

“It has only been the last three weeks where I have felt I can command the ball and feel that I am worthy of my spot - that’s a great thing for me to start to work on, and hopefully the next few weeks I can build on that.”

But Watts admitted his best was still some time away, and urged the Melbourne supporters to be patient with not only him, but the team as well.

“I’ve got quite a few kilos to put on. I think it is also just getting the games into me. You have got to play a certain amount of games - you have got to be comfortable out there and at the moment I’m still finding my feet. I guess it will come with time.”