Melbourne's Jack Watts spoke openly about his love the club and his desire to continue his career at the Demons on Tuesday morning when he fronted the media.
Watts said he was shocked and shattered to learn in his exit meeting that coach Simon Goodwin was keen to trade the former No.1 draft pick, despite two years to run on his contract.
While the 26-year-old is keen to remain a Melbourne player, however, it is appearing more and more unlikely he will be at the club in 2018.
Dees' football boss Josh Mahoney told AFL Trade Radio on Wednesday morning that Watts' performances have been significantly below what is expected of him.
“It comes down to Jack’s performance but it is around preparation and commitment, all the extra things that he could be doing that other players are doing at certain stages.” Mahoney said.
"To hear Jack speak so passionately about the club was terrific.
“He is a great person who has been here for a long period of time.
"This is not about Jack the individual, it is about our expectations as a footy club and that we want more from him.
“He should be a much better player than what he has played so far. We think he has got a lot of improvement left in him.
"If that is at Melbourne Football Club then that is great. If that is at another club then it is good luck to him as well.”
Watts has so far attracted interest from Sydney and Port Adelaide.
He played 16 games in 2017, averaging 15.7 disposals and kicking 22 goals.
He missed rounds 14 - 17 due to a hamstring injury and was dropped from the senior side after the Demons' loss to GWS in Round 20, missing the next two weeks, before returning to the team in Round 23.
Watts has played a total of 153 matches for Melbourne since making his debut in Round 11, 2009 against Collingwood.
