AFL 2024: Sam Mitchell excited about Nick Watson but playing down expectation

The draftee known as “The Wizard” has Hawthorn fans excited and the electric forward is set for a round 1 debut.

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell is playing down expectations about rookie Nick Watson. Picture: Michael Klein

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell says vice-captain Dylan Moore has recovered from glandular fever and would play a role against arch rivals Essendon in the opening round but did his best to “hose down” excitement over boom draftee Nick Watson who will make his AFL debut as part of a new-look forward line.

Moore has resumed full training after his illness and while Mitchell had been “sledging” him about being the sub, that could yet be his role against the Bombers in a clash he and his players had “been thinking about it for a long time”.

But that’s more because it’s round 1, not so much because it’s against the Bombers who will be using the encounter to mark the 40th anniversary of the club’s 1984 premiership win over the Hawks, the first of back-to-back flags against a team they played in three grand finals in a row.

Mitchell said he was yet to talk about that element of Saturday’s MCG showdown, knowing there was enough to get excited about already.

“Round 1 is a great debate, whether you pump it up or not,” he said on Thursday.

“As soon as the fixture comes out everyone starts thinking about the team they are playing, what day, the ground … everyone has been thinking about it for a long time.

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell is excited about what the club can do this season. Picture: Michael Klein

“The level of expectation of this game is significant, everyone is an unknown. We all go in unseeded, so we are excited about what we can do.

“I know they have their reunion, it’s going to be a big crowd, I’m looking forward to it.”

Hawthorn fans are also excited to see Watson, the No.5 draft pick known as “The Wizard”, unleashed at the MCG as part of a new look forward line with Magpie premiership winner Jack Ginnivan and big man Mabior Chol.

But while Mitchell is as enthusiastic about what the electric small forward could do, he tried to temper any expectations of the first-year player who had an impressive pre-season.

“I’m torn between telling you he’s an exciting young talent and also just hosing it down a little bit,” Mitchell said.

“He’s just turned 19 and I think with first- year players, even if they are enormously talented, and there’s (Nick) Daicos, and he just walked in and was ready for AFL straight away, but if you look at every other first year player, there’s some ups and downs in their journey.

“He’s going to play some very good footy for us. I don’t think anyone doubts that. But is he going to play really well every week and be a 50-goal first-year player? I hope so.

Lets see a bit of magic from the wizard this week 🪄

The moment Watto found out he is debuting! 🥹 pic.twitter.com/bA6RW9Nx6X

— Hawthorn FC (@HawthornFC) March 14, 2024

“But I wouldn’t put that sort of expectation on him.”

A “lengthy” debate failed to resolve where Mitchell would deploy long-time defender Blake Hardwick, with a preference to play him forward still front of mind for the coach.

“I think we will definitely see Blake as a forward, whether that’s the whole game or for parts of the game,” he said.

“We are confident he can perform his role forward and back. If we could have two we would.”

Mitchell also revealed reigning best and fairest Will Day was “on track” with his recovery from a footy injury and scans next week should lock in a return to running on the field, with a playing return not known yet.

“He’s just going at the rate we hoped he would. He’s not hitting it out of the park as far as healing goes, but he’s not behind either,” he said.

“We expect him to be running on ground next week.”

Originally published as AFL 2024: Sam Mitchell excited about Nick Watson but playing down expectation