Demons’ Watts ill, forced off track early

Jack Watts’ tough AFL pre-season continues, with the Melbourne tall utility forced to leave training early because of illness.

The former No.1 draft pick had done extra competitive work on Tuesday at Casey Fields.

But he did not complete running work later in the session, with the Demons confirming afterwards that Watts was sick and had gone home.

While the Demons have impressed with their two pre-season wins, there has been plenty of focus on Watts’ inability to gain senior selection.

New coach Simon Goodwin said after Saturday’s win over Carlton that Watts had trained to a higher level over the previous two to three weeks.

“I can’t wait to play with Jack and obviously he has to earn his spot,” said teammate Christian Petracca.

“He knows what he has to do.

“But I can speak for all the boys, we love having him playing.”

Watts’ non-selection so far highlights the improvement at Melbourne as they aim for a top-eight return this season.

“It’s just great to see there’s a lot more depth in our team – guys stepping up and playing their role,” Petracca said.

Newcomer Mitch Hannan became a victim of the club’s solid pre-season, losing a couple of teeth during Tuesday’s training in a tackling drill and needing a trip to the dentist.

“When you (were) playing juniors, especially when I was playing – no mouthguard, no play,” Petracca said.

“It wasn’t really high-intensity training, so it was up to them and he obviously paid the consequences.”

Petracca starred on Saturday with four goals, adding to growing excitement about what the 2014 No.2 draft pick can achieve in the AFL.

After the Carlton win, former Demons star David Schwarz likened Petracca to a young Mark Ricciuto, only with more polish.

“Nup – it’s only (pre-season), I haven’t really done anything in a game yet,” Petracca responded.

“It’s obviously good to get some compliments from guys who are legends of the game, but you really have to stay in the now and focus on winning.

“We have a really young core group and the moment you get ahead of yourself … they come bring you down, which is a good thing.”

Petracca and the other Melbourne forwards have been notably unselfish in front of goal during the pre-season and he said that is deliberate.

“It’s a little motto we have … the old lick of the icecream,” said Petracca, who is enjoying the benefits of his first full pre-season.

“If you give an assist, you’ll get your lick of the icecream some time soon.”

The Demons have the weekend off before their last pre-season game on March 9, against West Coast in Perth.

Then they open the season with a big match against St Kilda, another improving team with top-eight claims.

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