I wonder what is the biggest growth spurt in history a player has had after being drafted . The biggest I can think of are the likes of Joey Kennedy started at the hawks at 185 cm but was 189 at the swans .
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Welcome Welcome to Hawthorn : Nick 'the Wizard' Watson! Rising star Nom!
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It's not AFL but the NBA has seen some pretty ceazy growth spurts in players when they were around 16 to 21.
Pinoy Hawk
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wahawk
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I didn’t realise we went to high school together
stillahawk
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I'm prepared for the daggers aimed toward me with this opinion. I'm not here to try to get a rise from anyone but here it goes
I think for the draft price we paid, Watson needs to be a Cyril type talent. My preference was Curtin- I feel his assets will translate better in AFL. If he fails as a backman he could be thrown in the middle, If that doesn't work he could go forward. Watson can only really play as a small - Pickett type forward. If he doesn't work out there then he'd be a bust.
Just a bit annoyed that there were 2 KPD size players in Curtin and O'Sullivan that we passed on.
I guess time will tell on whether our recruitment team made the right choice.
One thing I picked up about Watson is that he seems like a little angry ant with a point to prove - I hope he goes all out and do well. There's nothing I'd want more from him than to be proved wrong.
I think for the draft price we paid, Watson needs to be a Cyril type talent. My preference was Curtin- I feel his assets will translate better in AFL. If he fails as a backman he could be thrown in the middle, If that doesn't work he could go forward. Watson can only really play as a small - Pickett type forward. If he doesn't work out there then he'd be a bust.
Just a bit annoyed that there were 2 KPD size players in Curtin and O'Sullivan that we passed on.
I guess time will tell on whether our recruitment team made the right choice.
One thing I picked up about Watson is that he seems like a little angry ant with a point to prove - I hope he goes all out and do well. There's nothing I'd want more from him than to be proved wrong.
Bought Gandalf with him by the look.
I thought exactly the same thing, that Watson might not be able to play in any other position and perhaps Curtin might have been a more adaptable option. But then I guess with McCabe coming in we did pick up a KPD potentially which offsets not taking Curtin, and anyway, I usually trust the club to know best and just go with that. But yes, I do wonder if Watson has a Plan B in his armoury, not just if he’s having a bad day but if we are playing badly and the ball isn’t getting to him. Can he take a run in the midfield? Time will tell I guess.
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I think he will be able to play around the ball, similar to Moore. Push up the field and be an outside option in throw-ins, etc.
He is going to get crunched in heavy contested situations though and I wouldn't want him playing in them. I'd rather the likes of Nash, Worpel and Newcombe dishing it out to him.
Watson mentioned that his form dropped off at the end of the year due to his body being sore. Chances are that will be an issue at AFL level too, so hopefully we protect him and let him play close to goal.
stillahawk
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Problem is McCabe is very slight of frame and is at least a couple of preseasons away to have an AFL ready frame. Curtin is a 98 kg manchild and is ready to hit the ground running.
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Kobe Gryant
'07, '09, '11, '22
G'day guys, apologies for the intrusion.
Just wanted to say I think you've got a ripper in this kid. Can do it all, and has the confidence and self belief that you just love to see in match winners.
Would've loved him at Geelong, and we had a few on our board who believed he'd be the number 1 pick if he was 10cm taller.
Best of luck to you guys and 'The Wizard' in the future, could see him tearing us a new one in a few Easter Mondays in the coming years.
Cheers
Just wanted to say I think you've got a ripper in this kid. Can do it all, and has the confidence and self belief that you just love to see in match winners.
Would've loved him at Geelong, and we had a few on our board who believed he'd be the number 1 pick if he was 10cm taller.
Best of luck to you guys and 'The Wizard' in the future, could see him tearing us a new one in a few Easter Mondays in the coming years.
Cheers
Welcome Wiz, so stoked he landed with us!!
And hey, if Sam Mitchell is still 181cm then the Wiz has grown.
But also: we have actually brought another player to the club at 170cm.
He went all right too, wore the number 44 and won a few flags and a Brownlow.
Hope history and success repeats here.
McCabe will fill out OK. Take a look at those tree trunk legs he's got growing there.
He's a lot slicker than Curtain with his closing speed and dash too. Once he catches up physically, and that can happen fast or slow, opinions might start to change in a hurry. Won't ever have Curtin's midfield nous, but is likely going to be the better AFL defender with that closing speed and slick ability to rebound.
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- Nov 13, 2018
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For those w doubts, I share them only to the extent that I questioned the value/risk for pick 4.
However I have no doubt that Watson is an elite talent and will be a good player for us.
The fact that we have used pick 4 on him tells me he is more capable than I perceive, and I’ve got to back MM w his track record.
We’ve got a good one imo and I’m fully on board!
However I have no doubt that Watson is an elite talent and will be a good player for us.
The fact that we have used pick 4 on him tells me he is more capable than I perceive, and I’ve got to back MM w his track record.
We’ve got a good one imo and I’m fully on board!
#44 is free too ...
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Just rewatched his highlights.
He's so bloody good!
If he can replicate that sort of form at senior level he's basically gonna be Cyril II.
He's so bloody good!
If he can replicate that sort of form at senior level he's basically gonna be Cyril II.
Curtin will not be a KPD. He’ll definitely start as a back flank and by the time he’s used to the speed of the game he’ll become a mid. Draft based on talent not positional need in the first round.
stillahawk
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Don't get me wrong, I like McCabe and I'm certain he'll turn to be a good player. The comparison wasn't based on talent but merely just the physical development between the two players at this point.
Curtin is plug and play and ready to go whereas I think McCabe might need a bit more bulking up.
Tall Tales and True
Team Captain
Jeez, what the Wizard brings can't be matched.
He's probably already had more press coverage in 2023 than any other Hawk player & just about a cult hero already.
[He fills a position of need ... a local boy (w no 'go home' factor, by definition) ... & already one of us.]
Bloody brilliant!
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He's probably already had more press coverage in 2023 than any other Hawk player & just about a cult hero already.
[He fills a position of need ... a local boy (w no 'go home' factor, by definition) ... & already one of us.]
Bloody brilliant!
On SM-S916B using BigFooty.com mobile app
Hill, Stengle/Miers, Kosi/Fritsch..
You could say small forwards have been handy in the past few grand finals..
Max_Headroom
Draftee
Welcome Wiz! May you have a long and successful career at the brown and gold. Am pumped with this pick - has serious x-factor and a touch of magic around goals. Will be flying by round 1.
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RIOLINWITPUNCHS
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I hope we look back in 10 years time and absolutely thank the AFL for giving North #3 as compo for McKay.
Yes, Duursma would have been nice and filled a need but Watson looks to be a very special player.
Yes, Duursma would have been nice and filled a need but Watson looks to be a very special player.
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