The ‘special’ qualities that earned Nick Watson a kiss on the head from his coach

Hawthorn co-captain Jai Newcombe has declared Nick Watson has the potential to be stamped “Mr September”, as the dynamic small forward looks to continue his match-winning form in a preliminary final against Brisbane on Saturday.

The man dubbed The Wizard was superb in the Hawks’ stunning road win over Fremantle in their qualifying final, delivering two goals and two goal assists among his 19 possessions, and 447 metres gained.

There was almost a late entry for goal of the year, while another passage of play where he gathered a ground ball, handballed to himself, and then set up a goal that had the football world in awe.

Newcombe said Watson had the potential to light up September.

“Yeah, he has got the skills to do whatever he wants,” Newcombe told this masthead when asked if Watson could finish as Mr September.

“He’s pretty special and has big influences on games, and the outcomes of games, so the title is all his if he wants it.”

Watson booted seven goals in two finals in 2024, and had four goals in three finals last year.

The Hawks are confident he can put on a show against the Lions, having been held goalless and to only nine disposals by Noah Answerth when the teams last met in round 22, the Lions storming to a 67-point win at the Gabba.

Answerth did not play last weekend against the Swans.

Watson has been central to the Hawks returning to their second preliminary final in as many years, booting 57 goals, trailing only Jack Gunston (61). His ability to create for teammates has also been outstanding, his excitement factor ensuring he has box office appeal.

Newcombe said Watson’s struggles against the Lions, only the fourth time he had been goalless this season, would not worry him.

“I think he’s pretty good with the ‘windscreen wipers’,” Newcombe said of Watson’s ability to clear his mind after a modest game.

“The Wiz, he deals with a lot more than the rest of us do, just in the media, in general. So, I mean, he’s been targeted different times, and he’s been able to still perform well. It’s hard to dominate every week, and yeah, he was quiet last time. Noah did a great job. If he comes in, no doubt, Wiz will be prepped for that.”

So rapt was Sam Mitchell with Watson after the Perth victory that Mitchell, a renowned hard marker in his playing days, gave Watson a kiss on the head.

The Lions, seeking a fourth-straight grand final appearance, and a flag three-peat, have the edge on their opponents, having prevailed in their past three meetings. But this will the first time the Brisbane Lions and Hawks have met in a final.

“Clearly, we’re good enough - it’s just a matter of getting out there and performing now,” Newcombe said.

The Hawks were crunched after half-time by a Patrick Dangerfield-inspired Cats in last year’s preliminary final, but they insist they are a more hardened team, and now have a fit Will Day - arguably their best player - helping the robust Newcombe in the midfield.

Day missed the past two finals series because of injury, the post-match tears he shed in Perth after completing his maiden final highlighting how precious this time of the year is to him.

Newcombe said it was special to have Day, who had 24 touches against the Dockers, by his side.

“The setbacks that he has had across the journey, and having to sit out and watch us chase what we are chasing now … so yeah, it’s great for him,” Newcombe said.

“The body of work that he’s put into getting himself into this position, it’s, obviously, taken a lot longer than we all would have liked, and it’s been very hard on him. But he’s a quality human, and has done everything that he can to set himself up and be influential like he was last week.”

The Hawks expect to have ruckman Ned Reeves (larynx) available for selection, but Lloyd Meek has been the frontline solo ruck since the loss to the Lions.

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Jon Pierik is a sports journalist at The Age. He covers AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect via X or email.