Jack Watts couldn’t have asked for a better scenario on Draft Day than landing at the Dees with the first pick in the 2008 National Draft.
After being long touted as the hottest prospect of the 2008 draft class, Melbourne used its first number one pick since 1997 to secure the athletic 196 cm forward.
Watts received the news at his home on Friday night when he answered a knock at the door, and was shocked and thrilled to see Melbourne Football Club Recruiting Manager Barry Prendergast, accompanied by coach Dean Bailey, President Jim Stynes and CEO Cameron Schwab, all standing at his doorstep.
They were there, of course, to deliver the historic news that he would become a Demon.
Hailing from a basketball background, Watts could have chosen either field at the elite level but thankfully for the Demons decided to follow the football path, where he was the stand-out performer at this year's Under 18 Championships,
He was member of Vic Metro’s title winning team, earning All-Australian honours and the Larke Medal. He was also the carnival’s top goalkicker with 15, and ranked third overall for contested marks and scoring assists.
In an exclusive interview with MELBOURNEfc TV on Friday night, Watts said he was thrilled to receive the news, and looked forward to bringing the Club back to its glory days.
“It’s a real honour to be at this club, hopefully we bring back that strong tradition that comes with the Melbourne Football Club, and I’m really proud to be a part of it now. I’m glad I have now finally received the news, and I just can’t wait to get out there and start working hard.”
Watts will be centre stage in the weeks that follow, but the added pressure of being the number one pick won’t faze the 17 year-old Brighton Grammar student.
“All 80 guys that get called out, go in on Monday with the exact same opportunity, it is what you do from that time on that defines you as a player. I will just be getting into the Club and working as hard as I can to earn the respect of my team mates.”
Melbourne's Recruiting Manager, Barry Prendergast, describes Watts as the typical modern day footballer.
“We see Jack as the modern day player - he is tall, athletic, and quick. He has great skills, kicks the ball on both sides of his body, and is a really good decision maker. He just has a fantastic set of attributes to play the game now, and for where the game is likely to head in the future.
“We have to remember that Jack is also an elite basketball player, which means he brings a lot of those skills in confined spaces to his football game. At 196 cm, he has a great ability to not only play inside forward 50, but he can also push up into the midfield and work around the stoppages, which he did successfully during the Under18 Championships.”
Watts is now eager to start pre-season, and can’t wait to meet his new teammates, which he will begin doing from Monday morning. 
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Exclusive - Jack Watts Interview
Watch Now: MELBOURNEfc TV talks to Jack Watts in his first ever interview as a Demon.
Jack Watts’ Highlights
Watch Jack Watts' highlights from his 2008 Under18 Cup carnival.
