Hawthorn sensation Nick Watson has added another unforgettable moment to his rapidly growing AFL career, winning the 2026 Mark of the Year for a spectacular airborne grab that left fans, commentators and even his opponent smiling in disbelief.
The 21-year-old, widely known as “The Wizard,” received the Alex Jesaulenko Medal after his remarkable Round 24 mark against West Coast was selected ahead of Fremantle star Shai Bolton and Melbourne forward Kysaiah Pickett.
Watson’s award was announced during the 2026 Brownlow Medal ceremony on Monday, September 21. The victory earned him $50,000 and two million Velocity Points from award sponsor Virgin Australia.
The Mark That Won Nick Watson the Award
Watson produced the winning moment during Hawthorn’s final home-and-away match against West Coast at Optus Stadium.
With rain making the ball and playing surface difficult to control, Watson launched himself onto the shoulders of West Coast defender Liam Baker. He stretched across Baker’s back and appeared almost horizontal in the air before completing the mark cleanly.
The combination of height, body control, wet conditions and a secure finish immediately made the grab one of the season’s leading Mark of the Year contenders.
The Wizard didn’t need a broomstick to fly 🧙♂️
— AFL (@AFL) September 21, 2026
Nick Watson has taken out the 2026 @VirginAustralia AFL Mark of the Year. pic.twitter.com/cJ1ZBZo0Oq
Watson’s position in the air also reminded many AFL followers of Gary Moorcroft’s famous 2001 mark over Western Bulldogs player Brad Johnson. Moorcroft’s grab remains one of the most recognisable marks in Australian football history.
What made Watson’s effort even more memorable was his reaction after landing. Rather than celebrating aggressively, the Hawthorn forward shared a laugh with Baker, whom he already knew away from football.
Watson had previously lived at a property owned by Baker after moving to Richmond. He reportedly joked with his former landlord that he would soon appear on a poster underneath the award-winning mark.
A Difficult Mark Made Even Harder by the Rain
High marks already require timing, courage and complete commitment. Watson’s grab came in wet weather, adding another layer of difficulty.
Rain can make the football slippery and harder to control, particularly when a player is airborne and under physical pressure. Watson still managed to hold the ball while falling from Baker’s shoulders.
The mark arrived during the fourth quarter of Hawthorn’s 62-point victory over West Coast. The Hawks won 16.11 (107) to 6.9 (45), securing a top-four finish while also celebrating Jack Gunston’s 300th AFL appearance.
Watson had already contributed three goals during the first half before producing the highlight that would eventually earn him the league’s top marking honour.
Shai Bolton Misses Out Despite Spectacular Leap
Fremantle supporters had strongly backed Shai Bolton after he produced his own extraordinary mark against Geelong during Round 15.
Bolton climbed above a pack of players and completed a towering grab during Sir Doug Nicholls Round. The leap instantly placed him among the leading candidates for the award.
The Fremantle star is known for his speed, balance and ability to create spectacular moments around goal. His Round 15 mark demonstrated that his athleticism extends well beyond ground-level play.
However, Watson’s late-season effort proved difficult to beat. Coming in Round 24, it entered the competition during the final match of the regular season and made an immediate impression.
Bolton ultimately finished behind Watson, but his nomination ensured Fremantle had representation among the final three contenders.
Kysaiah Pickett Was the Third Finalist
Melbourne’s Kysaiah Pickett completed the list of finalists with his soaring mark against Richmond during the Anzac Day Eve match in Round 7.
Pickett used a Richmond player as a platform before rising above the contest and completing the mark in front of a large crowd.
Like Watson and Bolton, Pickett is primarily recognised as a dangerous small forward. The presence of three smaller attacking players among the finalists demonstrated that spectacular aerial moments are no longer limited to the AFL’s tallest forwards.
All three finalists combined speed, anticipation and fearlessness to attack the football despite the risk of a heavy fall.
Who Decided the 2026 Mark of the Year Winner?
Supporters were invited to vote for their favourite mark, but the final winner was determined by the AFL All-Australian selection panel.
The panel selected Watson’s mark ahead of Bolton’s grab against Geelong and Pickett’s effort against Richmond.
Watson received the Alex Jesaulenko Medal, named after the Carlton legend responsible for one of the most famous marks in Australian football. Jesaulenko took his iconic grab during the 1970 VFL Grand Final.
The award recognises the mark judged to be the best from the AFL season, with factors such as height, courage, cleanliness, difficulty and the overall spectacle usually influencing the decision.
Nick Watson’s Rise From Exciting Prospect to AFL Star
Watson entered the AFL carrying considerable expectations after Hawthorn selected him with pick number five in the 2023 national draft.
Questions were initially raised about whether his height would limit his impact at the senior level. Instead, Watson has used his low centre of gravity, speed, anticipation and creativity to become one of the competition’s most dangerous small forwards.
His first AFL season included injuries and inconsistent goal-kicking, but his ability to create scoring opportunities was clear. He subsequently improved his finishing and developed into an increasingly important part of Hawthorn’s attack.
Watson kicked 55 goals during the 2026 season and earned his first selection in the All-Australian team. His Mark of the Year victory now adds another major individual honour to his breakout campaign.
The award also strengthens his reputation as one of the AFL’s most entertaining young players. Watson can influence matches through goals, forward pressure, clean ground-level play and, as his winning mark demonstrated, unexpected aerial brilliance.
Why Watson’s Mark Captured the AFL’s Attention
Many great marks are produced when a player runs directly at a pack and jumps vertically. Watson’s effort looked different because his body extended sideways across Baker while he reached for the football.
For a moment, Watson appeared suspended horizontally above the contest. He then completed the catch despite the wet ball and difficult landing.
The timing also helped make the moment memorable. Watson produced the mark in the final round, meaning it was still fresh when the finalists were selected. But the award was not based on timing alone. The All-Australian panel judged it superior to two outstanding alternatives.
It was also a moment that reflected Watson’s personality as a player. He competes aggressively but often appears to enjoy the theatre surrounding the game. His laughter with Baker following the mark turned an elite sporting effort into a memorable human exchange between opponents.
A Special Ending to Watson’s Breakout Season
The 2026 season has established Watson as far more than a promising young forward.
An All-Australian selection, a 55-goal campaign and the Alex Jesaulenko Medal represent a major leap in his career. Hawthorn now has one of the competition’s most dangerous small forwards entering what should be the strongest years of his career.
Shai Bolton and Kysaiah Pickett were worthy finalists, and either mark would have been a deserving winner. Watson’s wet-weather flight, however, combined athleticism, control and spectacle in one unforgettable moment.
“The Wizard” reached into his bag of tricks during the final round and produced the mark that ultimately stood above everything else seen during the 2026 AFL season.
