Hawthorn appear set to field the league's most colourful set of small forwards next season after making drafting Nick Watson with the fifth pick of the 2023 AFL Draft.
Watson, an out-and-out compact forward, has earned a reputation for both splitting the big sticks and getting under opponents skins like a splinter ahead of joining the Hawks, proving a weapon ahead of the ball throughout his underage career.
Although previous year's draftees have gone from bubbly to mute after having their AFL dreams realised, Watson promised that he would always keep footy fun, claiming that his closest like-for-like comparison wasn't an AFL player at all.
"I'm sort of the Energizer Bunny," Watson, clad in brown and gold, told the press pack at Marvel Stadium on Monday night.
"I love to get up and about when kicking goals [and] love a celebration. I love getting under player's skin, it's good fun."
When pressed as to whether these traits would remain his calling card upon making the leap from the Coates Talent League, Watson did not waver.
"100 per cent," the goalsneak added. "I'm looking forward to it. That's just the player I am and I'm not going to change a thing."
And with premiership Pie Jack Ginnivan now a Hawk, Watson could not hide his glee at being able to team up with the brash 20-year-old.
"I'm a Pies man, so I'm really keen to play with him," the Caulfield Grammar graduate said through a smile.
"I obviously trained there [at Hawthorn] with Luke Breust [and] Dyl Moore. I'm just keen to get amongst the boys, really. It's an unreal squad."
Despite standing at only 170cms, Watson professed that he never lacked the confidence that he could make it to, and make it at, league level, with his nous inside 50 borderline unrivalled within this year's draft class.
"I thought I was always capable to play AFL," he said.
"I just went to work on my craft and stuff like that to get me in best shape."
The second night of the 2023 AFL Draft is set to commence at Marvel Stadium at 7pm (AEDT) on Tuesday night.
