Former Champ Says Jack Watts Will Never Be A Key Forward

Dermott Brereton — five-time premiership centre half-forward with Hawthorn — says Port Adelaide recruit Jack Watts isn’t a key position player, but it’s not all bad news.

“Watts has some real footballing capabilities and even some true weaponry,” Brereton writes for News Ltd. “But the physical presence that comes through the raw power within a man’s frame is not one of them and very few (if any) have ever made it as a key forward without that physical capability.”

But Dermie says there are other ways the “lightly framed 195cm” Watts can become an important player for the Power.

“The answer should be pressure on the opposition.

“Through his actions, making the ball stay in his part of the ground. Harassment is just as important as tackling if is disturbs the opposition’s disposal. But Jack isn’t a great pressure player.

“I would love to see him utilize his fantastic pace and run down an opponent and gain a holding the ball free kick.

“It would be beneficial to him to let his coaches see him go out of his way to lay across a boot and smother a kick as well, or at least attempt it.

“We know that he is not a key position player, but we also know that he has some excellent talents as well. The additions that he could make to his game to make it better are all additions that are instigated by mindset.

“Like every footballer’s destiny, it is up to him.”