Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has hit out at the media's "fascination" with high-profile recruit Jack Watts who slotted two first-half goals in their 36-point win over St Kilda.
It was a solid return from Watts who was recalled to the AFL side after booting five goals in two games for the Power's reserves in the SANFL.
Ever since being selected by Melbourne with the first pick in the 2009 national draft, Watts has been one of the competition's most scrutinised and maligned players.
Hinkley bristled when asked about Watt's contribution against the Saints, calling for the media to cut the former Demon some slack.
"There's this fascination with Jack," Hinkley said.
"He came to Port Adelaide at (traded for) pick 31, (but) we still treat Jack like pick No.1.
"We should let Jack breathe a little bit and not zoom in on him so much.
"Give the bloke a break.
"Poor bugger, if you think about what he deals with every week from a media point of view, it's always 'Jack Watts, pick one'.
"Jack's playing really good footy for a bloke we brought to our club at pick 31."
Fellow off-season recruits Tom Rockliff and Steven Motlop were among Port's best against St Kilda, along with Chad Wingard (32 possessions) who is relishing spending more time in the midfield.
The only negative in the Power's victory - their fifth in a row - was luckless defender Tom Jonas's knee injury.
Returning to the side after missing two of the previous three weeks (hamstring), Jonas's left knee twisted awkwardly while being fairly tackled by Saint Jack Steele in the third quarter on Saturday.
Jonas did not return to the field and scans early this week will reveal how long the star backman will be out for.
"He didn't finish the game so it's obviously a significant injury that might put him out for a period of time," Hinkley said.
"We'll get it scanned and we'll make some decisions from there.
"Let's hope it's not a long absence."
