Hawks ‘Wizard’ pulls off epic hanger during match simulation

Hawthorn livewire forward Nick Watson has produced arguably the best mark of 2025 and he did it during a match simulation.

Save it for the real stuff, Wizard!

Watch every match of the 2025 AAMI Community Series Live & ad-break free during play, exclusive to FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

Livewire forward Nick Watson has left Hawthorn training on-lookers gobsmacked, pulling off a spectacular hanger during match simulation at Waverley Park.

The Hawks on Thursday uploaded footage of the mark from training earlier in the day, which showed Watson soaring over Seamus Mitchell close to goal and pulling down the bonkers mark using just his right hand.

Stunned teammates could be heard cheering on the field, with one heard saying: “Holy sh*t!”

Veteran duo Luke Breust and James Sicily, who weren’t on the field at the time, were close to the camera when Watson took the grab.

“Oh Lord! Oh my,” Breust said looking right at the camera.

This AI? 🧙‍♂️ https://t.co/Fwg1KmaGSX

— Kane Cornes (@kanecornes) January 23, 2025

Watson then settled and converted the set-shot goal, prompting a handshake celebration with Mabior Chol.

The 19-year-old, who was taken with Pick 5 in the 2023 draft, was a revelation for Hawthorn during its shock surge up the ladder last year. He booted 25 goals in 18 games, including seven across the Hawks’ two finals against the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide.

Also known as ‘The Wizard’, Watson has quickly become a Hawthorn fan favourite, with fans donning wizard hats at games late in the season.

Keep on taking marks like that and his popularity will only rise.

Will Day at training with Hawthorn at Waverley Park. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Watson, who also worked hard up the ground and won plenty of the ball, wasn’t the only standout at Hawks training on Thursday, with midfielder Will Day among the standout performers.

Day, who underwent off-season collarbone surgery to repair the injury that forced him to sit out Hawthorn’s 2024 finals campaign, moved superbly during the session, playing primarily on the ball with stints closer to goal.

Fox Footy analyst David King, who was watching on, wrote on X: “Day forward could become a Bont style weapon.”

Tom Barrass at training with Hawthorn at Waverley Park. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

King also noted Hawthorn’s backline now has a “great mix of size and counter attacking small/mid sized” players.

This comes off the back of the trade acquisitions of Tom Barrass from the Eagles and Josh Battle from the Saints.

Multiple reports noted Battle (quad), Dylan Moore (quad) and Sam Frost (foot) were restricted to running on Thursday, but the club isn’t concerned the trio face long-term issues.

Sicily completed the warm-up but missed match simulation as he continues to work his way back from shoulder surgery.

Originally published as Hawks ‘Wizard’ pulls off epic hanger during match simulation