Melbourne co-captain Nathan Jones has hailed Jack Watts' AFL performance on Saturday as a big step forward for the much-maligned Demons utility.
Watts had to carry the ruck work in the loss to Geelong after All-Australian Max Gawn went off with a hamstring injury.
Gawn had surgery on Tuesday to fix a tendon and he will be sidelined for three months - a massive setback for Melbourne in a season where they are aiming for a return to the finals.
However, especially in light of what happened during the pre-season, Watts' effort once Gawn was injured delighted the Demons.
"Credit to him, after being challenged ... (in) the pre-season, I guess scrutiny for his performances, the effort he put in on the weekend, to play out of position and compete and challenge himself as much as he did, he was a real asset," Jones told RSN.
"It's a massive feather in his cap and hopefully he can continue to build a really strong season off the back of that performance."
Watts, 26, was dropped for Melbourne's opening two pre-season games, meaning more scrutiny on the No.1 draft pick.
While Jones said some of it was media hype, the Demons onballer acknowledged that the team wanted more from Watts after his strong form last season.
"For where he's at and his experience - and particularly off the back of the season he had last year - probably expectations had risen," Jones said.
"We felt like there were areas for him to still strive and get better, which would set him up to have an even better year again.
"He took some time finding his feet in that regard, but at the same time he took those challenges on the chin."
Watts and Jake Spencer will shoulder the ruck work while Gawn recovers.
Jones said Melbourne must answer such challenges if they are to be a top-eight contender.
"For where we are as a team, we really have to embrace that," he said.
Jones also offered support to suspended forward Jesse Hogan, who was caught smoking at a Perth music festival.
"Obviously it's been reported that Jesse has a bit going on personally, which we're not willing to go in to," Jones said.
"When he's ready, he'll probably talk about that.
"But from our point of view, it's a perception thing.
"We don't condone what he's done (smoking) but we'll support him through the stuff he's going through at the moment."
Jones could see the funny side, noting that Gawn was once caught smoking on the way to training
"It isn't a great look - obviously he's been hanging out with Maxy took long," he said.
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