Nick Watson perfects 'blindsiding' tactic to spark breakout AFL season
Nick Watson won his first All-Australian and best-and-fairest, kicking 63 goals, nearly double his previous tally.
Nick Watson, just 21, had a stunning season, winning his first best-and-fairest and All-Australian for Hawthorn. Watson kicked 63 goals, nearly double his tally from the previous year and spent more time in the midfield.
Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell highlighted the key to Watson's rise. He has perfected a tactic called 'blindsiding'.
The blindsiding tactic works like this. A forward positions himself so a defender cannot see both him and the incoming ball at once.
This leaves the defender vulnerable. Mitchell showed examples from Watson's finals performances.
This included his crucial goal against Brisbane in the preliminary final. Watson learned the move by watching Sydney's Tom Papley.
Papley is one of the best at this move in the league. Luke Breust, Hawthorn's assistant coach and a former champion, likely helped Watson master the technique.
- 63
- Goals this year
- 21
- Age
- Tom Papley
- Model player
- Hawthorn
- Club
Why it mattersWhen a young player finds a technical edge, it changes things. Rival clubs have to prepare differently and coaching staff across the competition now focus on new defensive areas.
AustraliaHawthorn fans now have a homegrown star to follow; other AFL clubs will study Watson's blindsiding to adapt their own defences.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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