Demons display faith with Watts regaining spot
MELBOURNE coach Simon Goodwin has backed Jack Watts to get back to his best after the embattled forward last night won back his spot in the Demons 22 for the finals-defining game against Collingwood.
While co-captain Jack Viney won’t be risked at the MCG tomorrow, Watts returns after spending the past two weeks in the VFL as the club plays to secure its first finals appearance since 2006.
“Clearly he’s got a lot of hysteria around Jack and how he’s performing – he’s improving,” Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said. “His two games at VFL level have showed he’s progressing and he’s performing probably now to the level that we think’s really appropriate.
“We’re really hopeful that Jack’s continuing to improve and looking forward to seeing him play his best football shortly.”
Viney has a foot injury and missed last week’s win over the Brisbane Lions.
With the Demons still not assured September action, Goodwin refused to declare Viney a certain starter should they be playing in their first final in two weeks’ time.
“He’s heading in the right direction, but he’s just not going to be able to come up for this week,” Goodwin said. “Our pure judgment’s been about this week. It’s a really important game for the footy club.
“With a bony-type injury, you have to really respect them and make sure they’re 100 per cent right because you could have further damage.
“We’ve got to make sure we get Jack 100 per cent right and we can’t look any further than this week.”
Goodwin said it was crucial the club focused on its game against the Magpies, rather than dreaming of finals.
“We haven’t achieved anything yet,” he said.
“Where we sit at the end of Round 23 will be the most important thing for this footy club.”