FEW PLAYERS have been scrutinised as much as Melbourne's Jack Watts in their first 50 games.

He was selected No.1 in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft after playing school footy. He was touted as the next big thing and, in many respects, made a poster boy for a struggling Melbourne.

But as he passes the milestone the doubters are starting to retreat. He has played half a dozen fine games in defence, his precision kicking and ability to read the play being used to good effect.

He thinks the move back has been great.

"The thing is concentrating on doing my job first - that is what I have been doing the last few weeks," Watts said after Melbourne beat GWS on Sunday.

"A lot of people think I'm playing loose behind the ball but I am actually on my man. [I] do that job first and then go and win the footy so [I] just have to stay disciplined with that. [I am] really enjoying it."

Click here to view Watts' career stats

Discipline both on and off the ground is helping his performance. He admits he is working harder off the field than he did previously and the results are showing. He is spending more time around the club and rather than going home and shooting off to see his mates, he is starting to meet the training demands of an elite athlete.

"Each year you learn certain things and come to the realisation you have to take it up another level," Watts said. "I'm doing that now and I'm sure next year I'll be taking another step forward."

Funnily enough, he's taking the steps forward down back, learning to play his role for the team.

"I have certainly learnt how hard it is down there and now it's just training, training, training so it becomes habit," Watts said.

With positive habits developing, his highlights reel is growing. His acceleration down the wing and delivery to Melbourne co-captain Jack Trengove in the second quarter was the moment when Demon supporters realised their team was going to beat the Giants.

And it was more confirmation that Watts is a player of substance.

"[We] came in with a really stern attitude," Watts said. "We knew it was a really important game. We had to win this one."

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs.