MELBOURNE is about to map out a playing program for Jack Watts that will determine how the No. 1 draft pick deals with clashes between his club and school football obligations.

MELBOURNE coach Dean Bailey has flagged one or two changes for Sunday's clash against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium, but last year's No.1 NAB AFL Draft pick Jack Watts won't be called up.

MELBOURNE'S No. 1 draft pick Jack Watts will play his first game for the Casey Scorpions in the VFL this week, after more than six football-free months.

Melbourne believe he is still a couple of months away from playing, but if it were up to Jack Watts, he would run out for the Demons against Port Adelaide on Sunday.

MELBOURNE'S No. 1 draft pick Jack Watts showed glimpses of what he has to offer for the Demons in his first football match for the season for the Casey Scorpions reserves yesterday.

MELBOURNE has signalled its intention to blood No.1 draft pick Jack Watts in the second half of the season.

MELBOURNE's No. 1 draft pick, Jack Watts, returned to APS football yesterday, playing his first game this year for Brighton Grammar, kicking three goals and helping his school to a draw.

JACK Watts is set to debut in coming weeks, but last year's No. 1 draft pick is yet to force the Demons' match committee's hand.

JACK Watts is set to debut in coming weeks, but last year's No. 1 draft pick is yet to force the Demons' match committee's hand.

THE door is still open for a Jack Watts debut on Monday.

BREAKING NEWS: JACK Watts will finally get a taste of AFL footy, playing for Melbourne against Collingwood on Monday.

THE wait is finally over for Melbourne fans desperate to see No. 1 draft pick Jack Watts in action.

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey says he had no hesitation in handing No. 1 draft pick Jack Watts his debut in the Demons' biggest home and away game of the season - the annual Queen's Birthday clash against Collingwood on Monday - declaring the Year 12 Brighton Grammar student ready to go.

LIFE at the bottom of the ladder leaves you with the future to consider and at Melbourne, the future is Jack Watts, who will make his long-awaited and stage-managed debut on Monday.

THE casual observer could be forgiven for assuming the messiah will be unveiled as a Demon in his second coming on Monday, such is the hype surrounding Melbourne debutant Jack Watts.

GUN recruit Jack Watts is expected to be part of Melbourne's forward line for the opening bounce against Collingwood on Monday.

COLLINGWOOD defender Harry O'Brien senses he is about to witness the start of a memorable career.

JACK Watts, football's newest gladiator, came, soared and conquered the hearts of Demon fans at the MCG coliseum yesterday.

BEING run down by Alwyn Davey in last Friday night's 43-point loss to Essendon was all part of the steep learning curve to senior footy, No. 1 draft pick Jack Watts said yesterday.

MELBOURNE is committed to playing Jack Watts in the seniors whenever it reasonably can this season and says early sceptics of its schoolboy No. 1 draft pick should bite their tongues.

Brisbane Lions skipper Jonathan Brown says Melbourne must persist with teenage forward Jack Watts.

MELBOURNE coach Dean Bailey has hit back at suggestions that 2008 No. 1 draft pick Jack Watts wasn't ready to play AFL football when he made his much-heralded debut two weeks ago.

LEIGH Matthews, characteristically blunt, reckons it is hard to see a No. 1 draft pick in Jack Watts. In the two games he has played, Watts has looked overwhelmed. But it must be remembered that he is being held to an impossibly high standard. It is not his standard, but one set by the system. He is being held to the standard of No. 1 draft pick, and all it has come to mean.

AFL development coach Jason McCartney has backed Melbourne's No.1 draft pick Jack Watts, saying he has been unfairly criticised so early in his career.

MELBOURNE is hopeful Jack Watts will play in round one but says the emerging key forward will determine his own availability.

The 2008 Vic Metro representative was an All-Australian but spent much of his time playing school football rather than in the TAC Cup. Nevertheless, he entered the 2008 National Draft as a highly touted forward prospect and was selected by the Demons with the first overall pick. At the AFL Draft Camp he recorded the second fastest time by a non-indigenous player in the 20 metres sprint - 2.82 seconds.