Southern Districts get a Jared Brennan mark 2 with his nephew Jaeden a rising star nominee

AFL star Jared Brennan has passed his football pedigree on to his nephew and Rising Star nominee Jaeden Watts.

IF bloodlines are any guide to a footballer’s playing stature then Southern Districts wingman-forward Jaeden Watts has a big future in the game.

The round 5 NT News Rising Star nominee is the nephew of former Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns utility Jared Brennan, a player often seen in defence, up forward or in the ruck for the AFL clubs.

Fast forward to 2021 and 18-year-old Watts is in the same company at NTFL Premier League level, assisting first choice Districts ruckman Pat Gallow with centre bounce and boundary throw-in duties in between wing and goalkicking duties.

Districts coach Matt Cannard has been rapt with his young charge’s workrate and ability to contest against bigger bodied opponents.

Supplied Editorial Fwd: Jaeden Watts

“We played him in the ruck the last couple of weeks where normally he is a wingman-half forward type,’’ Cannard said.

“He can also play down back, so he’s a bit of a utility for us and he plays his role pretty well and at only 18, so he was quite good for us again.’’

Cannard is fully aware of Watts’ football pedigree and comparisons with his uncle.

“Hopefully he continues to push his case forward in what might be his draft year,’’ he added.

Round 5 presented a number of potential nominees, beginning with St Mary’s Benny Browne, the club’s under-18 best and fairest in a premiership season in 2020-21.

In only his fourth Premier League game Browne made some critical plays in a tough, physical game against the Palmerston Magpies.