Terry Wallace believes Port Adelaide must stand by their decision to select Todd Marshall over Jack Watts.
There has been much speculation about big-name off-season signing Watts following his dumping to the SANFL last weekend.
Last weekend, Ken Hinkley opted to hand a return to 19-year-old Marshall, in the wake of a double family tragedy, as Watts dominated for the Magpies in the South Australian state league.
When asked about Watts this week, Hinkley declared, “We want him in our AFL team,” but has not recalled the 27-year-old former Demon for Friday’s match against Melbourne - a decision which Wallace agrees with.
“If they had have picked Jack Watts they would have been picking him the individual over the needs of the team,” said Wallace on SEN's The Match Committee.
“They decided to support Todd Marshall and bring Todd Marshall back into the line-up. What he would have had to go through last weekend just to get out there – they’ve gotta give him three weeks to find his footing again.
“They’re supporting him emotionally, and they want to find out whether he’s in their best makeup.”
Wallace doesn’t believe, currently, Watts fits into Port Adelaide’s team on balance.
“I don’t think you can play (Watts and Marshall) together," he added.
“I think we’ve seen the best sides go smaller than that.
“I'm really pleased that they did give Todd Marshall another opportunity. I thought he deserved a couple of cracks at it at least to find out exactly where he sits."
And Wallace hopes Watts learns from the experience, and comes back stronger, as he has done in the past.
“I think with Jack Watts, we’ve seen him a few times where he’s copped a clip, and he’s come back and played with a little bit more resolve," Wallace said.
“I want to see that resolve over two, three, four weeks to show that that’s really where he’s at with his own mindset.”
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