Australian Football

Shane Watson made his AFL debut for Collingwood in 1992 having just turned 18. The early part of his career saw him producing consistently telling football, endorsed by a second place in voting for the Copeland Trophy in his second season. Thereafter, however, if it was not quite a case of the wheels falling off, it could certainly be maintained that he failed wholly to fulfil his potential. Injuries certainly played a part in undermining his progress, as did the fact that he tended to be repeatedly switched around and not allowed to settle into a single position. In 1993 he had played almost exclusively across half back, and it is perhaps no coincidence that this would be looked back on as his best and most consistent season.

At the end of a 2000 campaign which had seen him play just eight senior games Watson was de-listed by the Magpies, whereupon he proceeded to prove he had plenty of good football left in him, starring for Northern Bullants in the VFL, including winning their 2003 best and fairest award.

Author - John Devaney