extractasam
Club Legend
I think he wins our goalkicking next year and I’ll take a stab and say 47 goals.
He’s going to start demanding some of the better defenders now and it won’t surprise me if clubs start playing medium talls on him.
Welcome Welcome to Hawthorn : Nick 'the Wizard' Watson! Rising star Nom!
- Thread starter Strapping Young Lad
- Start date
- Tagged users None
I think he wins our goalkicking next year and I’ll take a stab and say 47 goals.
He’s going to start demanding some of the better defenders now and it won’t surprise me if clubs start playing medium talls on him.
- Nov 13, 2018
- 2,716
- 9,491
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
There was a time when most top teams would have a gun small defender who could shut down the best small forwards, but those days are long gone and there are very few in the competition that can match the Wiz.
I certainly hope they do I reckon it might backfire. You need to play the most agile, quickest over 20m player you have or he will just rip them to shreds!
extractasam
Club Legend
It seems it’s really died off hasn’t it. Outside of Starcevic, Hardwick, there isn’t a host of absolutely elite specialist small defenders that you look at and go gee - he’s going to have a hard day getting a kick on him. Actually Judd McVee had quite a good year as a small and he’s tough as nails. Taylor Duryea, Issac Quaynor? All I’d back Wiz to take apart though.
You are right though, they are rarely drafted as small defenders, rather clubs seem to develop them themselves.
extractasam
Club Legend
Hahah yeah I agree - I only say this as clubs may run out of feasible options as not everyone has a gun small back. Lack of pace never affected Stratton playing on guys like prime Eddie Betts and Charlie Cameron. Richmond used to also do it with Dylan Grimes playing tall on undersized opponents. I think it can work against the Wiz possibly
- Nov 10, 2022
- 12,747
- 10,269
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
Frosty can do the role up to a point
Strapping Young Lad
Moderator
- Apr 19, 2006
- 100,986
- 253,704
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
- Other Teams
- Storm, Spurs, Socceroos
- Thread starter
- Moderator
- #2,608
I won’t be at all surprised if he kicks 50+ in 2025.
His last 4 games of 3,3,4 and 3 were a window into the future.
His last 4 games of 3,3,4 and 3 were a window into the future.
The next stage in his development will be how to combat a defender that has his agility but is taller (everyone is) and stronger. He was outbustled in a game this year against one of the interstate teams. I can’t remember the team or the player, but I remember he did a great job of getting himself between Watto and the ball.
Incredible highlights for a first year player.
Roger Rogerson
Brownlow Medallist
Unbelievable. That last goal in the port game. Wow.
TheFourPillars
Brownlow Medallist
Veteran
10k Posts
Hawthorn Hawks - Conor Nash Player Sponsor 2021
Hawthorn Hawks - James Cousins Player Sponsor 2021
Hawthorn Hawks - Conor Nash Player Sponsor 2020
Hawthorn Hawks - James Cousins Player Sponsor 2020
Hawthorn Hawks - Conor Nash Player Sponsor 2019
Hawthorn Hawks - James Cousins Player Sponsor 2019
- May 6, 2009
- 17,553
- 57,614
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
I mentioned it about a month ago in another thread. That goal with situation in the game a final in hostile territory. The ball a bit dewy what a front and center from the marking contest so clean and then the acceleration and the confidence to bounce with Rozee chasing him. Followed it with a clinical finish on the run. I am so glad we called out his name on draft night. All those misses at the start of the season just delayed him announcing himself to the AFL
I'll go out on a limb here and predict that he'll go close to kicking 10 in a game this upcoming season
- Nov 10, 2022
- 12,747
- 10,269
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
The fwd line has more options though
- Jul 22, 2021
- 1,855
- 10,302
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
- Other Teams
- Tasmania Devils
The kind of player that just makes you laugh and smile in admiration at the things he can do. What an amazing combination of skill and tenacity. Love him.
The dam wall hasn't even burst with this kid yet. Just wait until there's a game where he has 5-6 goals at halftime and everyone starts looking for him. Reckon he'll hit the ground running from R1 as he now knows he belongs.
Tall Tales and True
Team Captain
You can't ignore what he's got ... what he brings to the team, to the club.
Reid aside (for all the obvious), there was no-one else anywhere near him in that draft.
On SM-S916B using BigFooty.com mobile app
Reid aside (for all the obvious), there was no-one else anywhere near him in that draft.
On SM-S916B using BigFooty.com mobile app
Last edited:
- Jun 4, 2016
- 5,962
- 17,207
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
How quick does he hit the packs, it's like he is moving at a different speed to everyone else.
chopflop
Premiership Player
- Nov 15, 2020
- 3,301
- 9,058
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
Still shocked how many people pulled for Curtin in that draft tbh... the talent level of Watson, just another level
- Jun 8, 2015
- 1,051
- 1,751
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
Years from now, like Buddy, everyone will be saying “how did he end up getting taken that late in the draft by Hawthorn?”
Yardie
Premiership Player
- Feb 6, 2004
- 4,712
- 10,247
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
- Other Teams
- Hawthorn
"170cm of power" sums him up quite well.
- Nov 10, 2022
- 12,747
- 10,269
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
Still thinking Watson dear McCabe could be Lewis Franklin roughed revisited. Maybe more of a slow burn as we have Barass battle in front of McCabe
Similar threads
