Eddie Betts’ warning for Hawthorn’s Nick Watson over provocative celebrations

Nick Watson is wowing crowds across the country, and backing it up with character-fuelled celebrations. However, legend Eddie Betts has a warning for the man known as The Wizard.

LAUNCESTON, AUSTRALIA – JULY 13: Nick Watson of the Hawks celebrates during the 2024 AFL Round 18 match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Fremantle Dockers at the UTAS Stadium on July 13, 2024 in Launceston, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The greatest small forward of his generation Eddie Betts says Nick Watson has a massive future at Hawthorn but must develop a thick skin given his provocative antics and celebrations.

The Hawks No. 5 draft pick Watson had kicked six goals from 32 shots in his 10 games before his matchwinner against Fremantle from the boundary after an outlandish one-handed mark.

He immediately turned the crowd to celebrate with the “ice in the veins” celebration, only weeks after “shooshing” the Eagles crowd with a finger to his lips.

Cold 🧊 pic.twitter.com/Hmi1y6Wlwa

— Hawthorn FC (@HawthornFC) July 13, 2024

Watson now has 7.19 for the season and seven total misses and remarkably is averaging more shots at goal than any other Hawthorn player this year.

Dylan Moore has 27.7 from 44 shots 17 matches, while Mabior Chol has 25.13 from 44 shots.

Betts kicked 640 goals in his 350 games with some of the game’s most eye-catching goals.

He told the Herald Sun he had seen Watson’s progression from an Under-18 playing for Caulfield Grammar and loved his dynamic play and tackling pressure.

But as he knows well, forward pocket is a position with quiet days and extreme scrutiny.

“I think the ‘Wiz’ is an excitement machine. The goal he kicked will give him a lot of confidence to win the game. Small forward is the hardest position to play. So you have moments. That goal didn’t come until the last two minutes of the game and he had a kick touched on the line earlier but he took his moment.

Nick Watson celebrates a goal against St Kilda in Launceston. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images.

NICK WATSON KICKS THE SEALER 🪄 pic.twitter.com/o2yhGx2KoO

— Hawthorn FC (@HawthornFC) July 13, 2024

“The ‘shoosh’ in Perth, the ‘ice in the veins’ stuff, he has the spark and bounce that Hawthorn needs. If he had kicked straight he would be in contention for All Australian.

“He gets under the opposition’s skin and I think he’s used to it, playing APS against the big schools. He copped it from opposition schools. Their cheer squads used to slam him. So he has that thick skin and he’s having a crack.

“He is learning from the best in Luke Breust and he has someone alongside him in Jack Ginnivan to bounce off. They are two players in that forward line who like to get under a player’s skin.”

Betts stood 174cm tall and loves the fact another diminutive player is able to inspire players of all shapes and sizes across the nation.

“He is 170cm so he gives small forwards hope as they grow up. Lots of kids who are small believe they can’t get drafted and some lose hope. When they see someone like Nick at 170cm, they believe they can.

“He has to base his game on chase, pressure and tackle, and then the goals come. (Against Fremantle), he put pressure on outside 50, the ball was turned over, it came back in and then he took the mark in the pocket and kicked the goal.”

Originally published as Eddie Betts’ warning for Hawthorn’s Nick Watson over provocative celebrations