ACCORDING to Champion Data player rankings, Jack Watts was best-on-ground in Melbourne’s clash against the Adelaide Crows at the MCG on Sunday.

Although the red and blue went down by 22 points, Watts was outstanding with 23 disposals (including 10 contested possessions), eight marks and three goals.

It was his best game of the year and reinforced the fact that he’s taken his game to another level in 2016.

Although he acknowledged his game was good, Watts was genuinely frustrated by the missed opportunity against the Crows.

“The thing is, the boys were super for most of the day and going in so hard and tough,” he told Melbourne TV.

“It’s just frustrating because it’s happened previous weeks playing against those good teams.

“We’ve shown that we can match it and we get on top for a lot of the game, but just can’t keep it going for the whole four quarters.”

The level of frustration for the team showed a real maturity in Watts – and just how far he has come in his game.

He has become an integral part of the team.

He has now kicked 27 goals for the season – his best effort yet in a season – and has settled as a target in Melbourne’s attack. 

Coach Paul Roos was rapt with Watts’ performance against the Crows and added that he took genuine delight from seeing the 25-year-old perform strongly.

“I take joy [in Watts’ form] because I’ve seen how much he got bashed over the three years I’ve been here and the six years prior – that’s the only reason I take joy in it,” he said.

“I think he’s a terrific person and he works really hard on his game and he’s just a great fella.

“For him to now get some reward and to be playing such great footy is great. I’m loving what he’s doing and I’m loving watching him play and it’s exciting for Melbourne people.”

For Watts, once he could see through the disappointment of Melbourne’s loss – after it came back from three goals down in the first term to lead by 11 points at half-time – he was pleased with his performance.

“I felt like I was working really hard and getting on the end of a lot of good work from up the ground,” he said.

“I’ve probably just been getting a bit closer to the contests, which is what I’ve been working so hard on.

“I felt pretty good, I had a couple more opportunities which I let slip a little bit but it was good to contribute and play the way I did.”

Now the focus has quickly switched onto Fremantle at TIO Stadium in Darwin this Saturday night.

In the words of Watts, it’s a “very important” game.

And it’s the start of three big weeks for Melbourne in the Northern Territory, back at Etihad Stadium and then Perth at Domain Stadium.

Melbourne’s clash against Fremantle this round is particularly important to keep its season alive.

“We really set ourselves for this week and this second half of the year, to really reset and go again,” he said.

“I thought we did that. We came out and we played a really good game, but we’re already locked in on Freo up there.

“We love Darwin. We go up there a bit … and it’s such an important one for us next week, just to get back to the way we play.”