BIO

Don Watson was recruited from the Adelaide University Football Club as a defender. In 1949 he joined Norwood and was included in the Association (Reserves) training squad playing the whole season either at centre half back or on the half back flank.

He made a good impression in the 1950 pre-season trials and won a place in the league squad. Watson made his league debut on 13th May against Sturt. He was named 20th man but was not called upon to play. Returning to the B’s, Don was named as a league reserve against Glenelg two weeks later. This time he did play the last quarter when he replaced the injured Pedder.

He finally made the starting line-up against South a week later when regular half back, Roberts had been suspended, only to return to the B’s when Roberts returned.  For the remainder of 1950 Watson alternated between the B’s and the league reserves bench.

His determination to play at the highest level was evident by his performance in the 1951 trials. In the final trial he was declared best on ground and established himself as a regular in the seniors.

By June he was winning plaudits such as this one in The Advertiser “In Watson Norwood has a half back flanker of unusual merit. His brilliant ground play was a feature of the game.”

Don continued his good form into 1952 but his career came to an abrupt end in June when he was transferred in his employment to Wallaroo where he continued to play for the local team.

B Ridge April 2016