PORT ADELAIDE defender Tom Clurey is hopeful Jack Watts will be fit for the start of the Power’s 2020 campaign after returning to full training in recent weeks.
Watts suffered a horrific leg break in Port Adelaide’s round 2 victory over Carlton last season, which required a couple of surgeries.
Clurey says it is great to have Watts back training with the main group, and he is hopeful the skilful ball-user will be available for the club’s season-opener against Gold Coast.
“He’s definitely a chance if he puts together a good month of training,” Clurey said on Tuesday afternoon.
“I’m sure he will definitely be around the mark come round 1.
“We all know what he can do with the ball in hand and how damaging he is. I’m sure if his foot and body is holding up, he will be right up there.”
Watts made the shift to the defensive group last year, and Clurey said the former Demon had been training with the backline again this pre-season.
“Wattsy has done a week or two of full training at the moment,” he said.
“He has to keep monitoring his foot a little bit, but he has had a really solid week or two at training and will look to keep building on that.
“He’s been training in the backline, so I would’ve thought he would want to slot back in there.”
Clurey has been amazed at Watts' positivity throughout his rehabilitation, and the key defender is excited see him back on the park.
“He’s good. He’s been up and about,” he said.
“It’s one of those ones where it’s just a week to week thing. You might be a little bit sore at times, but he just manages that. He does everything right.
“He’s got a super kick either side of his body and he reads the play so well.
“He’s super important, and when he gets the ball in his hands, we know it’s going to go to one of our teammates.”
The Katamatite product missed the final game of the season last year with a foot injury, but assured he and the rest of the group are in good shape and building nicely into the club’s 150th anniversary year.
“I’ve been able to do the majority of pre-season,” Clurey said.
“I have been managed a little bit through a couple of sessions, but personally the body is fine.
“From a club perspective, it’s been a really positive two or three months before Chrissy and now after Chrissy.
“We are just looking to build that through the next few weeks and then into the pre-season games.
“We are excited to get into it.”
