Watson leading from the front in 18s
A LACK of experience saw the Queensland AFLW under-18 side return from Western Australia without a win in Round 1 of the national championships – yet Suns academy product Serene Watson believes the Maroons’ best is yet to come.
Queensland played two games against the Black Swans last weekend, losing the first 50-3 before rallying in the second on Sunday to reduce the losing margin 28-13.
After playing last year’s national championships as a bottom-ager, Watson was one of the few returning talents who experienced the trip west.
“We have quite a young, inexperienced team so the older girls really had to take charge so it was more of a learning experience,” she said of Queensland’s first-game demolition.
“We came out a lot harder in the second game but I don’t think the scoreboard reflected how well we played but we were a lot happier.”
Despite a much improved performance in their second match in Perth, the 17-year-old admitted that the Queensland side had a lot of work to do ahead of next month’s second round of the national championships on the Gold Coast.
“It’s been a bit hard to gel if I’m honest but I think we really bonded a lot on the Perth trip,” she said.
“I’ve been in the Queensland system for two years now so I’m hoping to bring a bit of leadership and experience.”
Along with facing the Suns and Lions Winter Series teams in practice matches, the Queensland side has also had the chance to play on AFL venues including Subiaco Oval in Perth before lining up at Metricon Stadium in July.
“It was such an amazing experience running out onto a big ground like that,” Watson said. With Watson eligible for the AFLW draft this year, the dashing defender said she would use the national championships as a draft audition.