Hawthorn’s Nick Watson vows says he is ‘treated differently’ by umpires over high free kicks
Hawthorn’s smallest forward is difficult to tackle and even harder to umpire - admitting he’s ‘treated differently’ by whistleblowers. He opens up on how he plays.
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Nick Watson accepts he is “treated differently” by umpires when it comes to high-tackle free kicks, but will not change how he attacks ground balls.
The Hawthorn small forward said he was content with how he had been umpired in the early rounds after profiting from an equal competition-high five free kicks during the Hawks’ win over GWS in Launceston.
The 170cm Watson said he had no plans to alter his technique at ground-level ahead of a hotly anticipated grudge match against Ken Hinkley’s Port Adelaide to close out Gather Round on Sunday.
“I got a few free kicks against GWS, which was handy. I know there were a few missed early on in the season, but that’s just footy,” the 20-year-old told this masthead.
“There’s going to be variation, with the way I get treated differently with the headhigh contact … it’s going to be a long year (with the commentary surrounding it), but if they pay them to me, they pay them, and if they don’t that’s OK.
“I’ve just got to roll on with it, I guess … it’s been about 50-50. I’ve been talking to Luke Breust and ‘Ginni’ (Jack Ginnivan), who have obviously had similar treatment as well.
“They say you can’t complain, because you’re not going to change the umpire’s decision.
“Hopefully I can get on the end of a few free kicks, but you’ve got to go hard at the ball first and earn them.”
Playing the 18th game of his debut season in last year’s semi-final, Watson was superb with 3.1 from nine disposals, but said there remained an “anger” the Hawks would take into Sunday night’s clash from the three-point loss.
He did not deny it stemmed from the post-siren verbal altercation between Power coach Hinkley, Watson’s close mate Ginnivan and Hawks skipper James Sicily, which resulted in the AFL handing the coach a $20,000 fine.
“We haven’t (addressed it) yet, but it obviously sits in the tummy. Everyone knows what happened last year, and it definitely sits there,” Watson said at the launch of National Greyhound Adoption Month in Tullamarine.
“We’ll put a bit of anger towards it, but it will obviously be a very heated game (anyway), playing in front of their fans as well. We definitely want to get one back on them.”
Would the Hawks, known for their eye-catching goal celebrations, make light of Hinkley’s pot at Ginnivan?
Watson did not rule out busting out an “aeroplane” celebration, but only if the Hawks knew they were going to win.
“I knew this question was coming … maybe if we’re winning, but we’ve got to get the win first … that’s our main goal,” he said.
“There could be a few outrageous ‘cellies’ I reckon.
“I saw (Hinkley) do that aeroplane thing, and I knew exactly what it meant … but there was a whole lot going on inside my head (after the semi-final), there was a whole lot of sound, so no, I didn’t hear too much to be honest.”
“It definitely set Sicily off, and we’re not too sure what went down, but it was a bit.”
Watson said the news of Will Day’s foot stress fracture this week had been a “heartbreaker” for the club, but thought the Hawks were in a better position to replace him than when he was absent through injury last season.
Since the start of last season, the Hawks have a 16-4 record with Day in the side, but are 3-6 with him out, but Watson said the return of James Worpel from an ankle injury would help fill the void.
Sometimes spotted at Sandown for the races, he said he was “all in on greyhounds”.
“My dad and mum love greyhounds … I’ve grown up around them my whole life and I reckon we’ve had three over the journey,” he said.
“My dad’s best mate is a trainer, so I’ve been to Sandown a couple of times to watch.
“They’re very relaxed, good-natured dogs, they sleep a lot, and this is for a very good cause.”
National Greyhound Adoption Month began on April 1. Victoria’s Greyhound Adoption Program will run an adoption drive at The Meadows on April 13 from 11am to 1pm, with both permanent and short-term foster greyhounds available.
Originally published as Hawthorn’s Nick Watson vows says he is ‘treated differently’ by umpires over high free kicks
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