| Nick Watson | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Watson in May 2026 | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Nicholas Watson1 | ||
| Nicknames | The Wizard, Watto, Wiz | ||
| Born | (2005-02-24) 24 February 2005 | ||
| Original team | Eastern Ranges (NAB League)/East Ringwood (EFNL)/Caulfield Grammar (APS) | ||
| Draft | No. 5, 2023 AFL draft, Hawthorn | ||
| Debut | Round 1, 2024, Hawthorn vs. Essendon, at MCG | ||
| Height | 170 cm (5 ft 7 in) | ||
| Weight | 68 kg (150 lb) | ||
| Position | Forward / Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Hawthorn | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2024– | Hawthorn | 57 (97) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 15, 2026. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Nicholas Watson (born 24 February 2005) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Early life
Watson grew up in the Melbourne suburb of Croydon South2 and was educated at Rowville Sports Academy and Caulfield Grammar.3 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.4 He played his junior football for Montrose and East Ringwood in the Eastern Football League.
AFL career
Watson was the fifth selection in the 2023 AFL draft by Hawthorn.5 Nicknamed "the Wizard" for his exceptional ability in attack,6 he made his debut against Essendon 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 twelve disposals and kicking three goals during a 66-point defeat of Collingwood.7
In December 2025, after 43 games in the number 34, he was awarded the number 5 guernsey number, which was previously James Worpel's number before he was traded to Geelong.8
Statistics
Updated to the end of round 15, 2026.9
G
|
Goals | K
|
Kicks | D
|
Disposals | T
|
Tackles |
B
|
Behinds | H
|
Handballs | M
|
Marks |
| Season | Team | No. | Games | Totals | Averages (per game) | Votes | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | B | K | H | D | M | T | G | B | K | H | D | M | T | |||||
| 2024 | Hawthorn | 34 | 18 | 25 | 27 | 118 | 77 | 195 | 55 | 45 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 6.6 | 4.3 | 10.8 | 3.1 | 2.5 | 0 |
| 2025 | Hawthorn | 34 | 25 | 36 | 18 | 145 | 127 | 272 | 51 | 51 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 5.8 | 5.1 | 10.9 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0 |
| 2026 | Hawthorn | 5 | 14 | 36 | 14 | 117 | 81 | 198 | 33 | 33 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 8.4 | 5.8 | 14.1 | 2.4 | 2.4 | |
| Career | 57 | 97 | 59 | 380 | 285 | 665 | 139 | 129 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 6.7 | 5.0 | 11.7 | 2.4 | 2.3 | 0 | ||
Honours and achievements
Team
- McClelland Trophy (Hawthorn): 2024
Individual
References
References
- "Nicholas Watson". Hawthorn Football Club. Archived from the original on 14 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
- "Keen midfielder has eye on ball". Archived from the original on 2016-10-08. Retrieved 2025-04-22.
- "Magic touch: 'Wizard' on size, Boomer and talking 'smack'". www.afl.com.au. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
- "Hawks recruit proves doubters wrong". 21 November 2023.
- "Hawks secure Watson with top pick". 20 November 2023.
- "Off to see 'The Wizard': Hawks lock in new faces for R1 debuts". 14 March 2024.
- "Hawk for life? Wizard's big contract statement". Herald Sun.
- "Macdonald To Wear Number 9". hawthornfc.com.au. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
- "Nick Watson". AFL Tables. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
External links
External links
- Nick Watson's profile on the official website of the Hawthorn Football Club
- Nick Watson's playing statistics from AFL Tables
- Nick Watson at AustralianFootball.com