Matthew Watson (footballer, born 1992)
| Matthew Watson | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Matthew Watson | ||
| Date of birth | 16 July 1992 | ||
| Original team(s) |
Pascoe Vale (EDFL) Calder Cannons (TAC Cup) | ||
| Draft | #18, 2010 National Draft, Carlton | ||
| Height / weight | 195 cm / 99 kg | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Carlton | ||
| Number | 10 | ||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Matthew Watson (born 16 July 1992[1]) is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Background
Watson plays primarily as a tall defender. Originally from Victoria, Watson attended and played school football for Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School and Pascoe Vale. He played TAC Cup football for the Calder Cannons. He represented Vic Metro at the 2008 AFL National Under 16 Championships[2] and 2010 AFL National Under 18 Championships, where he was selected as a defender in the Under 18 All-Australian team.[1]
Watson was recruited by the Carlton Football Club with its first round selection in the 2010 AFL National Draft (number 18 overall). He was given the number 10 guernsey.[1] He made his AFL debut in Round 2, 2011 against Gold Coast, in what was the first game played by the new Gold Coast franchise.[3] Watson played a total of three matches for Carlton in his debut season,[4] and played mostly for its VFL-affiliate, the Northern Bullants.[5]
Watson quickly became known for his long, accurate left-footed kicks out of defence, and as a result, Carlton fans shout "woof!" whenever Watson kicks the ball. Watson is the fourth long-kicking left-footed Carlton player to receive this now-traditional treatment, after Val Perovic in the 1980s, Ang Christou in the 1990s and Chris Bryan in the 2000s.[6]
Watson is the nephew of Essendon premiership player Steven Alessio.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Carlton Football Club, Selection 18 - Matthew Watson, 18 November 2010, Retrieved 23 March 2011.
- ^ Jolly, L., Hume Leader, "Calder Cannons stars shine", 6 October 2008, Retrieved 25 March 2011.
- ^ Windley, M., Herald Sun, "Saints play it safe with Koschitzke", 31 March 2011, Retrieved 31 March 2011.
- ^ AFL Tables, 2011 Stats - Player Lists - Carlton, Retrieved 19 Sep 2011.
- ^ "Statistics for Northern Bullants playing VFL seniors". Sportingpulse. Retrieved 18 Sep 2011.
- ^ "Bringing back the "WOOF!"". Carlton Football Club. 18 July 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
External links
- Matthew Watson's profile on the official website of the Carlton Football Club
- Matthew Watson's playing statistics from AFL Tables