Nick Watson

Nick Watson
Watson in May 2026
Personal information
Full name Nicholas Watson
Nicknames The Wizard, Watto, Wiz, Wizza
Born (2005-02-24) 24 February 2005 (age 21)
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
Club information
Current club Hawthorn
Number 5
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2024– Hawthorn 66 (124)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 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 South and was educated at Rowville Sports Academy and Caulfield Grammar. 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. He played his junior football for Montrose and East Ringwood in the Eastern Football League.

Nick attended Rowville Secondary College, as part of the Rowville Sports Academy AFL program, before accepting a scholarship for Year 11 and 12 at Caufield Grammar.

AFL career

Watson was the fifth selection in the 2023 AFL draft by Hawthorn. Nicknamed "the Wizard" for his exceptional ability in attack, 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.

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.

Watson won Mark of the Year in 2026 for a horizontal mark in wet conditions.

Statistics

Updated to the end of 2026.

Legend
  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
2024Hawthorn34 1825271187719555451.41.56.64.310.83.12.50
2025Hawthorn34 25361814512727251511.40.75.85.110.92.02.00
2026Hawthorn5 23632619412031453502.71.18.45.213.72.32.29
Career 66124714573247811591461.91.16.94.911.82.42.29

Honours and achievements

Team

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Nicholas Watson". Hawthorn Football Club. Archived from the original on 14 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  2. ↑ "Keen midfielder has eye on ball". Archived from the original on 2016-10-08. Retrieved 2025-04-22.
  3. ↑ "Magic touch: 'Wizard' on size, Boomer and talking 'smack'". www.afl.com.au. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  4. ↑ "Hawks recruit proves doubters wrong". 21 November 2023.
  5. ↑ Rowville Secondary College, Rowville Secondary College. "Rowville Secondary College - Our Sports - AFL". Rowville Secondary College. Retrieved 2026-11-02.
  6. ↑ "Hawks secure Watson with top pick". 20 November 2023.
  7. ↑ "Off to see 'The Wizard': Hawks lock in new faces for R1 debuts". 14 March 2024.
  8. ↑ "Hawk for life? Wizard's big contract statement". Herald Sun.
  9. ↑ "Macdonald To Wear Number 9". hawthornfc.com.au. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  10. ↑ Cohen, Brandon (21 September 2026). "Wizard's wet-weather screamer, Lion's miracle goal voted best of the year". Australian Football League. Melbourne. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  11. ↑ "Nick Watson". AFL Tables. Retrieved 12 August 2026.