Melbourne’s caretaker AFL coach Neil Craig says handing young forward Jack Watts a loose-man role in defence is good for his development, despite what the critics may suggest.
The 22-year-old former No.1 draft pick gathered 24 disposals in Sunday’s 95-point loss to Fremantle as the league’s second-bottom side suffered their 18th defeat of the season.
Watts was Melbourne’s equal fifth-highest ball-getter, although his tally of disposals included only three contested possessions and one tackle.
The out-of-contract Watts, who says he’s weighing up his options, has kicked 16 goals in 2013. The 196cm utility would potentially form a strong forward-line next year with teenager Jesse Hogan, Mitch Clark and Chris Dawes.
“It’s good for his development, whether it be Jack Watts or (fellow forward) Jeremy Howe,” Craig said on Sunday.
“You’ve got to make sure your positioning’s correct, know when to defend versus when to be offensive.
“I disagree with people who say, ‘You’re putting people behind the ball so you’re not developing people’.
“A lot of the top teams play with people behind the ball. You need to be able to do it.
“Sometimes it’s more from an offensive point of view, to generate some ball movement out of your defence.
“What we’ve got to get better at is handling the loose (player) at the other end.
“That’s an experienced side you play against. That’s all part of our team development, and in general Jack’s been doing that really well.”
Melbourne had the first 16 inside-50s of the game and led by 27, 31 and 58 points at the breaks before another six-goal effort in the final term pushed the margin close to three figures.
Craig said it certainly wasn’t an honourable loss but he could see some positive signs.
Teenager Jack Viney led the way with a team-high 28 disposals including 12 contested, while Colin Sylvia had a game-high 16 contested possessions in his 26 touches.
“We’ve been really pleased with Colin’s consistency,” Craig said.
“That’s an unbelievable stat for anyone playing in any competition, particularly against this mob.”
Co-captain Jack Trengove also tried hard.
“Disappointed with the end result, yes, but a lot of good experience out of that,” Craig said, adding that father-son draft pick Viney would only get better.
