AFL Rising Star: Nick Watson nominated, declares he wants to be a Hawk for life

Nick Watson may have only played 11 games, but he’s already looking well into the future. See more from JOSH BARNES who caught up with the Wizard.

Nick Watson wins Rising Star nomination.

Blooming forward Nick Watson has declared he will not hesitate to sign a long-term deal once Hawthorn puts one in front of him.

As a first-round draftee – Watson was taken at No.5 last year – he signed an automatic three-year deal, so doesn’t come out of contract until 2026. But the goalkicker known as the ‘Wizard’ would happily extend that further as soon as he gets the chance.

A third year was added to contract first round picks last year, which has seen less action on re-signing top youngsters after recent tradition saw the talented teens regularly sign on before the end of their first season.

Managers have been hesitant to push for new deals, as players such as Harley Reid only add to their value as they pile up strong performances.

Nick Watson is loving his time at Hawthorn. Picture: Getty Images

Watson took some time to find his stride this season but has shown his mouth-watering talent in recent weeks, including a three-goal haul against Collingwood that secured him the rising star nomination.

With the Hawks appearing to be on a big upward swing under Sam Mitchell, Watson said he was all-in for the ride.

“I am loving my time at Hawthorn, I love the coaching crew,” he told the Herald Sun.

“If that contract comes in front of me, I would not hesitate to sign it and it is definitely where I want to be for the rest of my career.”

‘LOVE BEING THE VILLAIN’: WIZARD’S RISING STAR NOD

It is no coincidence that Nick Watson and Jack Ginnivan are locker buddies.

The electric goalsneaks sit together in the Hawthorn change rooms, forming what Watson named a “rat pack corner”, from jumper No.31 in Connor Macdonald, to Finn Maginness and numbers 33 and 34 in Ginnivan and Watson.

After Ginnivan won a trade to Waverley from Collingwood last off-season, Watson was drafted by the Hawks, and the pair quickly bonded and planned to sit next to each other.

“We were texting in the early days and he (Ginnivan) said ‘come to 34, it is free at the moment and then see what number you want’,” Watson said.

Jack Ginnivan and Nick Watson share a strong bond. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

“Then there were no real good numbers (to change to) so I thought I would try and make 34 my own.

“We have a good corner set up … it is a bit of a rat pack corner. It definitely annoys everyone else.”

The two goalkickers appear set for a decade of kicking bags and antagonising opposition fans and players.

The Wiz makes his magic happen from the boundary 🪄#AFLHawksPiespic.twitter.com/WNbrxUY2Yz

— Hawthorn FC (@HawthornFC) July 20, 2024

Nick Watson celebrates a goal against Collingwood. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

And the friendship carries on off the field, with duo out for breakfast on Monday when Ginnivan told Watson he was the AFL’s round 19 rising star nominee.

At breakfast, Watson smartly “went all out when it was his (Ginnivan’s) shout”.

“He has been great for me,” Watson said of Ginnivan.

“We are similar personalities and we hooked on straight away. We have been getting to work together and having fun outside of footy together.

“That is the main thing: it is not just footy, footy, footy for us. We make sure we have a social life outside of footy.”

The pair are tight. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

Watson credited veteran pair Jack Gunston and Luke Breust – described as “both geniuses of the game” – for guiding the talented pair to help the team with their gifts.

Ginnivan – a Pies premiership player – was clear best afield against his old team on Saturday gathering 31 disposals and two goals, while Watson – a mad Magpie as a kid – bagged three himself.

Always in the spotlight, Ginnivan soaked up the moment with some cheeky celebrations and Watson has proven he is no shrinking violet when it comes to being a player the opposition loves to hate.

Already universally known by his nickname of the ‘Wizard’, Watson loved antihero forwards Stephen Milne and Hayden Ballantyne as a youngster and wants to bring that energy back.

”I love being the villain of the comp, throughout my goalkicking misses everyone tried to rip into me” he said.

“I sort of copped it throughout my juniors as well, playing school footy, so I am used to it now. It never really gets into my head. I couldn’t care less what people say about me, all I really care about it getting the feedback within the four walls at Hawthorn.

“I love being the villain and that is something I thrive on. It is good when I start getting on top of them and they start getting even more salty.”

The Wizard shares a laugh with Sam Mitchell. Picture: Brad Fleet

Usually a natural around goals, Watson lost his rhythm early this year and at one point kicked 6.19 from 29 shots.

Against Richmond in round 14, he kicked 1.4, and that week head coach Sam Mitchell took it upon himself to right the ship, telling everyone else at the club that only Mitchell would work on goalkicking with the No.5 draft pick.

“Before every training session me and him go out early and get some shots up,” Watson said.

“We have a bit of a deal going on where whenever I kick five straight, he will let me try something different with my routine and I am on four in a row now.

“He has been great. Everyone sort of in the club knows not to tell me how to kick goals but him and it is good to have only one voice in my head.”

Originally published as AFL Rising Star: Nick Watson nominated, declares he wants to be a Hawk for life