Watts’ future clearer today
MELBOURNE forward Jack Watts is set to address his playing future after being encouraged to find a new home.
The 26-year-old will appear at a promotional event in Melbourne today alongside his agent, Paul Connors.
Watts has two years remaining on his contract but has fallen out of favour with the Demons and has been told to explore his options, with Sydney considered a frontrunner to secure his services.
The No.1 pick in the 2008 draft has struggled to live up to expectations throughout his career.
The versatile tall faced criticism for his training standards during the off-season and was dropped later in the year.
Demons coach Simon Goodwin suggested yesterday Watts could be better off in a new environment.
“This is obviously a situ- ation where it’s been going on for a long period of time,” Goodwin told RSN radio.
“We’re eight or nine years into a career and there’s been a similar lot of expectation and a lot of pressure has been placed on both the Melbourne footy club and Jack over a long period of time.
“That cycle has continued. It hasn’t changed, and I guess you’ve got to continue to assess where you are as a footy club and, I guess, where Jack’s at as well.”
Melbourne is favourite to secure a deal for off-contract Adelaide key defender Jake Lever when the trade period starts on Monday.