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AFL Player of the Week – Alex Watson

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Each week AFL Europe is profiling a European player and finding out how they got into the great game of Aussie Rules and a bit about themselves. If you’d like a profile or know of anyone who would, then email ben.durance@afleurope.org to receive a question sheet.

First up on the AFL Europe ‘Player of Week’ is Alex ‘Nic Nat’ Watson. The English Ruckman is a fresh face to the game only in his second season but has already represented England at last year’s AFL Europe ‘Euro Cup’ in Croatia.

An exciting prospect, Nic Nat is currently honing his ruck craft  in the AFL London competition for the Wandsworth Demons. Hoping to further his representative football career, Watson is also training to be selected for with the Great Britain Bulldogs at the AFL Europe Championships in August this year. The tournament will be a great precursor to the International Cup in Melbourne in 2017 and provide the plethora of European talent, like Nic Nat, a chance to impress in the homeland of AFL.

Nic Nat imposes a dominant figure on the AFL pitch and has impressed with his leadership on and off the field in his short career, this year being named rest of the world Vice-Captain for the Wandsworth Demons. All the best for the 2016 season.

Name:

Alex ‘Nic Nat’ Watson

Club:

Wandsworth Demons

Nationality:

English

AFL Team you support:

West Coast Eagles

Favourite AFL Player:

Nat Fyfe

How did you find out about AFL?  

I was talking to a friend about the game (that I’d previously never heard of). As I was on my way home I came across a poster that was advertising training sessions for the Wandsworth Demons the coming Saturday so thought I’d give it a go.

How long have you been playing for?

Since January 2015

What do you remember most of your first Aussie Rules game? 

Not fully understanding the full rules of rucking I barged the other ruck whilst he was in mid-air with no intention for the ball. I’d been on the pitch for 20 seconds and had already given away a free kick.

Favourite moment when playing Aussie Rules? 

Making a well-timed tackle.

Any other information, quirky stories or interesting things about yourself?

In my day to day life I work as a graphic designer and along with sport, art has always been a big passion in my life.

 

Conor McKenna

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AFL Europe are incredibly excited to watch one of our Irish recruits debut for Essendon FC this weekend! Congratulations goes out to Conor and all his hard work, it has been a long time coming.

[youtube_sc url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nR4ZHId5QA”]

Essendon’s Irish recruit Conor McKenna will make his senior debut on Saturday night against Richmond.

The 19 year old travelled from Tyrone in Northern Ireland to Tullamarine at the end of last year for a shot at making it in the AFL.

“It’s great reward for the hard work he’s put in,” Essendon Development Coach Paul Corrigan said.

“He’s obviously crammed a lot in the time that he’s been here.

“He does more sessions than anyone else, he never misses a beat.”

While most Irish players are used off the half-back line, McKenna has shown some natural flair in front of goal.

In his 15 VFL games this season, he’s kicked 18 goals.

“The coach took me in yesterday about three o’clock after training,” McKenna said.

“Cora, who has been working with me all year, he just said ‘congratulations, you’re playing against Richmond this week’.

“It’s just good to get a role now.”

McKenna’s signature was highly sought after because of his elite speed, athleticism and endurance.

He grew up playing Gaelic football and has spent extra time with Essendon’s development coaches learning the finer points of the game.

“In defence, it was not too bad, but then I went forward and the structure of the game is just hard to get used to but hopefully I’ll get it right now and come Saturday it’ll come to plan,” he said.

McKenna’s parents are flying out from Tyrone to attend Saturday night’s match.

 

Written by Simon Conway for essendonfc.com.au