One of the very few positives to emerge from an otherwise inglorious affair at AAMI Park last Saturday night was the showing of Carlton’s fourth-gamer, Matthew Watson.

Seems like only yesterday that the fresh-faced kid from Pascoe Vale South heard his name called with the club’s first round selection (No.18 overall) in the 2010 national draft.

For Watson, who stood Travis Cloke in his maiden appearance before a full-house at the MCG, it hasn’t exactly been beer and skittles.

“It’s been a real eye-opener for me,” he said, on completion of the day’s training at Visy Park. “I came out of school and straight into a full-time job, so it has been daunting at times.

“But then you’ve got more than 40 other players in this together and they help you along the way. They don’t shy away from helping you to do the right thing because they know you’re new to the system.”

Despite his brief tenure in the game, the 19 year-old Watson is more than mindful of the serious demands asked of him.

But he reminds that the bigger-bodied players in the system - the likes of Adelaide’s Daniel Talia, Collingwood’s Ben Reid and of course Geelong’s Tom Hawkins - all took time to emerge as bona fide League competitors.

Throughout it all, Watson has gained from the support of his mentor and uncle, the 184-game former Essendon premiership ruckman Steven Alessio.

“He (Alessio) was around at my Mum and Dad’s house to watch the game last Saturday night,” Watson said. “He tries to get to as many games as he can and he rings me up afterwards to see how I went. He knows my strengths and weaknesses and he’s always there to offer advice.

“It’s good to have someone from outside the football club coming at it from a different angle. He’s basically told me to work to my strengths and break the lines with my long kicking wherever possible and of course, most importantly, to listen and follow the advice from the coaching staff.”

Rest assured, Watson feels the supporters’ pain as much as any given the team’s disappointing recent form. He reminds that of all his appearances at either VFL or AFL level through 2012 so far, he’s savored on-field successes in just two contests.

“It’s been pretty frustrating,” he conceded, “but there are still eleven rounds left and anything can happen.

“We had a positive meeting yesterday at which we talked about where we want to be and we changed a few things around....”

Watson obviously hopes to find his niche at centre half-back. The goal for him now is to double last year’s return by fronting up in a minimum six senior matches through to season’s end.