WATSON, Larry

Watson was a strongly-built utility player from Dimboola. He had to struggle to win a regular senior spot because of injury and indifferent form. Although he didn't have the class of his champion brother, Tim, he achieved equal third Best and Fairest at Essendon in 1976. He won the Reserves Best Utility Player award in 1978.

After leaving Essendon, he played four games with Fitzroy in 1979 and 1980. He then joined West Adelaide from 1981 to 1985 and was a member of their premiership team in 1983.

Larry's brother, Tim, was an Essendon champion. His nephew, Jobe, was a great player and captain who led Essendon through the difficult days of the Supplements saga. Larry's son, Jake, was a promising player with West Adelaide's Under 19s who died in 2002 after an on-field collision. The club retired his Under 19s number 13 jumper as a mark of respect.