Two weeks later, he played his 100th AFL match in the sixty-eight point loss to Fremantle at the MCG in round five, a game in which he managed just seven disposals; after his milestone match he was condemned by Matthew Lloyd on the Nine Network's "Footy Classified", saying "he's been gifted 100 games of AFL football". In the thirty-eight point loss against Sydney at the MCG the next week, he started as the substitute with Paul Roos attempting to ease the burden on Watts, although Roos later admitted starting as the substitute probably increased pressure on Watts. The relentless pressure on Watts saw him omitted the next week for the round seven match against , although it initially appeared he was dropped by the coaching panel, it was later revealed by Paul Roos that Watts asked to be dropped so he could find form playing in the VFL. Leigh Matthews described Watts' decision to drop himself as a shock because it never happened in his twenty years of coaching and he found it difficult to take seriously. Recording twenty-four disposals, eight marks and a goal in the VFL, his performance was described as "solid" by "AFL Media" journalist, Peter Ryan and he was recalled to the senior side after the one week in the VFL for the thirty-nine point win against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG. Watts' return to the AFL saw his form improve, particularly his average disposal count, which increased by six a match in the five weeks from rounds eight to twelve, compared with the first six weeks of the season; he credited the opportunity to play in the VFL as a key reason to his improved form and his mind frame was more "calm and relaxed" heading into matches. He continued his good form playing on both the wing and in the forward line and after his performance in the thirty-seven point win against Collingwood at the MCG in round eighteen where he recorded twenty-six disposals—eleven of which were contested—four marks and a goal, "Herald Sun" journalist, Chris Vernuccio, stated he was starting to "fulfil his potential and silence the doubters" and "The Age" journalist, Michael Gleeson, noted he may have finally "turned a corner". The next few weeks saw Melbourne suffer heavy defeats and as Melbourne's form diminished, so did Watts' and he was omitted from the side for the final round clash against Greater Western Sydney at Etihad Stadium. Watts finished the season playing twenty matches in total.