The Watson I saw a few weeks ago vs the Nix reserves certainly didnt look to be in the condition to be playing A League. An older head can do some good things in a lesser league doubt he could repeat that in the A League. Thought he was worth another chance at one stage but im afraid no way not any more.
He definitely improved a lot post Phoenix. Even now, it's just so easy for him.
If his Olympic coach returns to Christchurch United, who knows the big fella might get a gig in the new OFC Pro League if he's keen.
Edit - re Watson's character that video clip of him reading out, I think Patrick's scathing SM comments on him whilst at the Phoenix is hilarious. I'm sure Patrick still wanders around Welly hoping he will never bump into Hamish Watson on a dark night!
He lives round the corner from me and I see him pretty regularly at “toddler gym” our kids are similar age. If character can be judged by seeming like a top dad then he comes up aces. I don’t really follow domestic stuff so didn’t recognise him until another mate asked me and I gave a good look and realised minus not having hair like he did at the nix it was him.
From videos looks like he's very one-footed although his left foot does look good at passing and crossing. Looks like he played CM at Eastern Suburbs but usually plays LM/LB since then so should fit a LWB role better than a LB. Hopefully he becomes our version of De Vries.
Off topic but reminds me.. A few years years ago an underrated (on here) Galloway left the Nix. Rudan signed Gulley and Way to replace him. It didn't work!Ranix
He definitely improved a lot post Phoenix. Even now, it's just so easy for him.
If his Olympic coach returns to Christchurch United, who knows the big fella might get a gig in the new OFC Pro League if he's keen.
Edit - re Watson's character that video clip of him reading out, I think Patrick's scathing SM comments on him whilst at the Phoenix is hilarious. I'm sure Patrick still wanders around Welly hoping he will never bump into Hamish Watson on a dark night!
Off topic but reminds me.. A few years years ago an underrated (on here) Galloway left the Nix. Rudan signed Gulley and Way to replace him. It didn't work!Ranix
Reuben Way II...?
Galloway was a nervous wreck. Darije ‘s management style really didn’t work for him!
Interesting above comment re Deklan Wynne. At 30, to just happy to stay in Melbs and maybe set up a life there long term?
Or the Nix just not offer enough coin, to make it worthwhile giving up NPL (coaching? & playing gig)? He would know even if he had a great ALM season he likely wouldn't really be in the World Cup frame.
Though then you look at FDV (also 30) who came from nowhere (so so player at Eastern Suburbs), to make himself Libby's backup.
Green Gully are just a middling VIC NPL club (8th of 14 teams this season), that won't be part of the new upcoming Australian Championship.
Wonder why Wynne turned us down. With Libby injured there’s a potential WC spot opening up there.
Happy we’ve signed someone and I think the overall league quality is down since Way signed. As well his signing was a week before the season started. This one gives a bit more time and is coming off a highly intense season with a couple of cup runs and a good league battle.
Hopefully Kelly Heald will push for the position there too and that competition will make them both better.
Wonder why Wynne turned us down. With Libby injured there’s a potential WC spot opening up there.
Happy we’ve signed someone and I think the overall league quality is down since Way signed. As well his signing was a week before the season started. This one gives a bit more time and is coming off a highly intense season with a couple of cup runs and a good league battle.
Hopefully Kelly Heald will push for the position there too and that competition will make them both better.
Obviously Libby is clear number one and FDV currently second choice, but beyond those two there's already a glut of other options for left back. Sutton, McGarry, Wilkins when fit, and LKH behind that lot. Wynne would need to have an extremely good season to break into a world cup squad, even with an injury to one of those 6.
At 30 and playing for a semi pro club he might be establishing a career outside of football and have a good job, etc.
Someone reminded me that Deklan's younger bro Ronan was at the Nix a few seasons ago, and a rumour there might have been some family angst when the younger Wynne was released/left.
Just a rumour, so who knows, but Luis Toomey has shown that released players can yes hold a grudge.
It’s a pity. I wouldn’t have thought FDV was reliably fit and speedy. Or that any of Sutton, McGarry, LKH or Wilkins had secured that back up spot. A run of 5-10 good games could have made a case for squad selection imo, especially with his experience.
But you’ve got to want it to commit to the training and the intensity and when something comes somewhat out of the blue, as you say, you’re probably looking past your journeyman years and have been thinking about something more stable. Like that young Nix striker who went to the Olympics, but then settled in Wales. Think he’s still a coach at the same club.
The quality of their signings compared to ours this year is alarming.
Yes, they're looking solid and will take a lot of momentum from last season. We on the other hand are an unknown quantity in many ways. My gut instinct tells me we'll have more of the same from last year this season sadly. Patchy form and derby defeats.
At 30 and playing for a semi pro club he might be establishing a career outside of football and have a good job, etc.
If he is interested in Australian citizenship and all that comes with it then under the new regulations for New Zealanders he needs to have a certain number of years of continuous residency in Australia while earning an income. His decision not to come to the Nix may be as simple as that. "New Zealand citizens can apply for Australian citizenship by meeting general residency requirements, as time on their Special Category Visa (SCV) counts as permanent residence for citizenship purposes from July 1, 2023. You must reside in Australia for four years on a valid visa, hold an SCV for the final 12 months, and have been absent for no more than 90 days in the last 12 months and 365 days in the four-year period. You also need to pass a character assessment, and most applicants must pass the Australian citizenship test and demonstrate a basic understanding of English." (from HomeAffairs.gov.au)
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
deadline isnt till the end of the day, so plenty can happen. Announcements might well be after today
Also worth pointing out that the deadline is for signing players who currently have clubs. After today, you can still sign players but they need to be free agents/amateurs at 10:00pm AEST.
Daniel Edwards hasn't been officially announced yet - so could just be that...Although I hope they've got another signing up their sleeve!
Yeh, as per RR post above, amateurs like Edwards can be signed anytime, doesn't need to be before deadline. So does Nix admin post hint at an actual professional transfer ? I hope so.
+4
