Watts gets to Port Adelaide in trade steal

Jack Watts will play for the Power next season after Port Adelaide and Melbourne completed their trade for the forward on Tuesday afternoon.

The former No.1 draft pick was on the outer at the Demons this year, dropped late in the season by Simon Goodwin.

Port Adelaide will send pick No.31 in this year's draft to Melbourne.

"I have no hard feelings towards the club," Watts said on the club's website.

"I know it's difficult to leave as I have always enjoyed playing for Melbourne but I think a clean break is the best thing for me and I'm looking forward to the next stage of my career."

Watts had two years remaining on his deal but is expected to sign a three-year contract with the South Australian club.

Jack Watts attending Melbourne's recent best and fairest despite the impending trade. Pic: Getty

Demons footy boss Josh Mahoney said the trade had been made because "Jack's consistency of performance while at Melbourne hasn’t been at the level expected of a player with his experience".

“This may be attributed to the fact that Jack has attracted immense public interest from day one," he said.

"This has no doubt placed an unfair amount of pressure and expectation on Jack throughout his career at Melbourne and both parties feel like a change of environment and a fresh start will be the best thing for Jack’s career.

“We know that Jack is a well-liked character but we’ve based this decision on performance and what is best for both parties.

“While this has been a hard football decision, we have made great strides in rebuilding our playing list and we will continue to make hard decisions to ensure that we take the club to where our supporters want it to be, which is a club capable of sustained success.”

Port have had a fruitful trade period, swapping Brendon Ah Chee (West Coast), Jackson Trengove (Bulldogs) and Jarman Impey (Hawthorn) for Watts and free agents Steven Motlop and Tom Rockliff