Why the draft’s best small forward is sick of being compared to Nick Watson

Nick Watson was a football rock star with a viral nickname – “the Wizard” – even before he became a cult figure at Hawthorn.

His reputation was that big as a teenager that students from rival private schools would sledge him from behind the fence in a desperate attempt to put him off his game. There was also another spin-off effect.

A diminutive, then-16-year-old named Lachy Dovaston, from the same Talent League club, Eastern Ranges, started being likened to Watson despite being only two years younger. That comparison become more common as Dovaston transitioned to a mulleted small forward this past season.

“I’ve heard it since I was 16,” Dovaston said, after laughing first.

“I was 16, training as a bottom-bottom-ager at Eastern when [Watson] was top age. There were a few ‘hi’s’ here and there, but I haven’t had much to do with him. I’m not the next Nick Watson – I’m the first Lachy Dovaston.”

What Dovaston is to most AFL recruiters is a certain first-round selection and the pick of the small forwards in this year’s draft class, ahead of the likes of Latrelle Pickett and Hussien El Achkar, both of whom also have fans.

Lauren “LJ” Morecroft, who coached Dovaston at Ranges and Victoria Metro, swung Dovaston into defence last year with the deliberate intent of developing his defensive instincts and unleashing him as a small forward this year.

The move has been widely lauded. One scout told this masthead that Dovaston was more advanced at the same age defensively – and with his running ability – than Watson, who boasts a few more tricks.

Dovaston, who earned under-18 All-Australian honours and made the Talent League’s team of the year, is not lacking in the latter area either.

He averaged 16 disposals and almost 2.5 goals a game for Eastern this past season, including a season-most 24 touches and two majors in their grand final win over reigning premiers Sandringham Dragons.

The first of those goals – a superb set-shot finish from just inside the boundary line, almost 50 metres out – came after drawing a head-high free kick, which is another skill he shares with Watson. He celebrated by spinning around, arms outstretched, to an adoring crowd.

Like Essendon’s Isaac Kako 12 months ago, Dovaston revealed he already had some goal celebrations to unleash once he reached the AFL stage.

“I’ve got some that I haven’t used this year,” he said.

“I’m always on TikTok and Instagram. I even sometimes just search for soccer or basketball celebrations, screenshot a few, then you try to remember them when you’re playing.”

Dovaston is his own man, but also every bit fits the small forward stereotype. A self-confessed pest, he provides the locker-room light relief, is not afraid to sledge opponents, has a healthy dose of confidence, plays with a swagger, and considers himself to be a “pretty laid-back, pretty cruisy” person.

He took the same approach to answering recruiter questions at the draft combine, after continually being asked what was something no one knows about him.

“I just YOLO [you only live once] it, on the spot,” Dovaston said, chuckling again. “I just say I’m pretty good at golf, or pretty good at video games. They’re the main two – I switch between them.”

So how good is Dovaston at golf?

“I haven’t got a handicap, so I’m not actually that good. I just go with it.”

But Dovaston wants everyone to know that he is not just a jokester. He is hard-working, too, and plans to maximise his talent to try and have a long and successful AFL career.

“Obviously, there’s not a lot I can do now, but hopefully, my footy has done the talking, and I will be drafted as high as possible,” he said.

“It’s such an honour to be in this position, and it’s on the back of all the hard work I’ve done and all the help I’ve had throughout the years. It’s awesome that it could come true, and I will hopefully, play next year.”

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