Carlton forward Matthew Watson said he felt he was building towards a big haul after he led the Northern Blues’ to a four-point upset win over Werribee at Ikon Park on Saturday.
 
Watson booted six goals to set the Blues on their way to their first win in over a month; his performance including a devastating third quarter that saw him kick four goals from eight possessions and five forward 50 marks.
 
Since making the move forward in Round 14 last year, Watson has kicked 31.19 from 15 games at VFL level, with his game against Werribee proving to be the game where he would kick that ‘bag’ of goals that had been eluding him.
 
“It was good to get on the end of a few (on Saturday), everyone played well in the third quarter,” Watson said.
 
“The boys couldn’t do anything wrong at that stage and that really helped me out.
 
“It was just great to get a bag of goals.
 
“I felt fresh coming off the bye and they were pretty good conditions for forwards, and it helped that all the boys fought it out and helped me get on the end of a couple.”

Watson hadn’t kicked more than a haul of three in his previous 14 games since moving up forward, having booted six lots of three goals prior to the game against the Tigers.
 
Comfortably leading the Northern Blues goal kicking tally, Watson’s tally of 19 goals from eight games also sees him sit in third place of the Frosty Miller Medal race - the VFL’s equivalent of the Coleman Medal.
 
“I feel like my year to date has been pretty good.
 
“As a forward it’s not going to be your day every week so it’s just important to do those things which helps out the team, especially on those days when the ball isn’t coming your way.”
 
Having spent the vast majority of his junior footy and his first three and a half seasons on an AFL list down back, Watson knows exactly what his opponent doesn’t want to defend against.
 
 It is something that he has put into practice since making the move forward.
 
“I’ve really focussed on doing those one percenters to help out the team and compete, and it helps when there are days like Saturday when you’re going to get a lot of the ball,” Watson said.

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“Of course, hopefully that trend continues where us guys up forward can kick a few more goals and get some wins on the board.”
 
Having broken a run of four consecutive losses, the Northern Blues sit in 11th spot two games outside the eight, although are still optimistic of salvaging their season.
 
“We take a lot of confidence from beating a top four side before Frankston this week,” Watson said.
 
“We’ve been competitive all year so it’s just about getting it all together and getting some wins together.”
 
The Blues will return to Etihad Stadium on Sunday, hosting Frankston at 12pm prior to Carlton’s game against the Gold Coast Suns.