Nick Watson Explained

Fullname:Nicholas Watson
Nickname:The Wizard
Birth Date:24 February 2005
Height:170 m [1]
Weight:68 kg
Originalteam:Eastern Ranges (NAB League)/East Ringwood (EFNL)/Caulfield Grammar (APS)
Draftpick:No. 5, 2023 AFL draft,
Position:forward
Guernsey:34
Debutdate:Round 1, 2024
Debutstadium:MCG
Years1:2024–
Games Goals1:15 (15)
Statsend:round 23, 2024

Nick Watson (born 24 February 2005) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Early life

Watson grew up in Melbourne’s outer east and was educated at Rowville Sports Academy and Caulfield Grammar.[2] A small forward, Watson in 2023 was the top goalscorer while playing for Caulfield Grammar in the APS competition. He also was the top goalkicker playing for VicMetro in the 2023 National championships.[3] He played his junior football for Montrose and East Ringwood in the Eastern Football League.

AFL career

He was the fifth selection in the 2023 AFL draft by .[4] Nicknamed "the Wizard" for his ability to do special things in attack, Watson is an exciting prospect. [5] He made his debut against at the MCG in the opening round of the 2024 AFL season.

He was awarded a 2024 AFL Rising Star nomination in round 19 collecting 12 disposals and kicking 3 goals during a 66 point thrashing over the Magpies.[6]

Statistics

Updated to the end of round 23, 2024.[7] |-| 2024 || || 34| 15 || 15 || 23 || 97 || 63 || 160 || 44 || 39 || 1.0 || 1.5 || 6.5 || 4.2 || 10.7 || 2.9 || 2.6 |||- class="sortbottom"! colspan=3| Career! 15 !! 15 !! 23 !! 97 !! 63 !! 160 !! 44 !! 39 !! 1.0 !! 1.5 !! 6.5 !! 4.2 !! 10.7 !! 2.9 !! 2.6 !! 0|}

Honours and achievements

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: x.com . X (formerly Twitter) . 2024-08-21.
  2. Web site: Magic touch: 'Wizard' on size, Boomer and talking 'smack' . 2024-05-16 . www.afl.com.au.
  3. Web site: Hawks recruit proves doubters wrong . 21 November 2023 .
  4. Web site: Hawks secure Watson with top pick . 20 November 2023 .
  5. Web site: Off to see 'The Wizard': Hawks lock in new faces for R1 debuts . 14 March 2024 .
  6. News: Hawk for life? Wizard’s big contract statement. Herald Sun.
  7. Web site: Nick Watson stats . AFLTables . 13 May 2024.