Iconic snap: This photo of Jake Watts taken by Rodney Braithwaite won Sports Photo of the Year at the 2021 Rural Press Club of Victoria awards.
Photo by
Rodney Braithwaite
One of Shepparton’s homegrown products has made the next step in his development after landing a train-on role at Essendon’s VFL side.
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Shepparton Football Club’s dashing winger Jake Watts will continue his time at the Bombers after impressing during the pre-season.
The talented hard nut has faced a tough road to the VFL after suffering from glandular fever for the best part of 18 months before injuring his hamstring late last year.
Still, Watts was a force to be reckoned with during his 10 senior matches for the Bears last season, where he featured in the best five times.
When he found out that Essendon was keeping him as a train-on, Watts was quick to get in touch with his parents Suzanne and Jason, as well as mentor Trent Suratman, to thank them for their support in the past 18 months and beyond.
“I was over the moon; given some of the challenges I have faced to get to that point, it was unreal,” Watts said.
“Called my parents to let them know as well, that was really great.
“They were a big support to me over that period of time with injuries and glandular fever, so it was great to let them know as well because it’s not just my win; it’s for everyone who has supported me.
“A collective effort.”
Movin’ on up: Shepparton’s Jake Watts in his Essendon VFL kit.
Photo by
Essendon VFL
Like the common expression, ‘’every cloud has a silver lining’’, Watts believes he has learned a lot from his time away from football.
But there was one key takeaway which the young gun said had shifted the way he prepared for a game and after.
“Probably to let go a bit as I was an extremely tough trainer and probably drove myself into the ground a bit with my training regime; the way I was going about my training was probably a bit over the top,” he said.
“I have learnt to let go a little bit and still work extremely hard, but do it in a smart way which allows my body to recover.
“Put just as much effort into my recovery and taking care of my body as I do train.”
The first step may be taken, but Watts knows there are many more to go as he works with Essendon’s coaching staff to improve his game in different facets.
One of Watts’ aims is to feature in the VFL side at least once this season.
To do so he will need to back his skills and dangerous mix of speed, pressure and cleanliness as well as develop other areas of his game.
“Hopefully, continue to work on my midfield time as well and be damaging on the scoreboard,” he said.
“To continue to back myself with my run and carry and my speed.
“Keep just working away at that and there is always something to work on, so we have been going through film and knuckling down on a few points.
Hand it off: Shepparton’s Jake Watts is hoping to make an impact at VFL level.
Photo by
Shepparton Football Club
Shepparton co-coach Xavier Stevenson believes the resilience Watts built during his time out of the game has helped him grow as a footballer.
“First and foremost, it’s his hard work and resilience, which I know we really admire at Shepparton, but the feedback we got from Essendon VFL was that they could see how hard he did work and how resilient he has been over the last 18-24 months,” Stevenson said.
“The thing for ‘Wattsy’ is he has had some really significant challenges with his health and injuries over the last 24 months, which has seen him being only able to play a limited amount of footy over the last 18 months.
“Last year, he was able to get a bit more continuity into his football and we always knew how talented he was.”
Earning a full-time contract at Essendon VFL will remain Watts’ priority, but when he is not donning the red sash, the 20-year-old has chosen the Bears as his local club, which means Stevenson will have to figure out where best to utilise his young star.
“As a player, ‘Wattsy’ is a really classy wingman and midfielder who is good on both the inside and the outside,” he said.
“While he is able to provide a lot of run and dash, he is also really terrific in his contested game as well.
“He is one of those players that is able to break lines and he is really exciting when he has got ball in hand.
“Often when he gets his opportunity, he is able to do things that other individuals aren’t able to do.”
