Nick Watson climbs to third in Coleman Medal chase as Hawks eye Gabba showdown

Hawthorn forward Nick Watson sits third on the Coleman Medal leaderboard with 52 goals, five behind leader Charlie Curnow, ahead of the team's Gabba clash.

Nick Watson, known as "the Wizard," has tallied 52 goals this season, placing him third in the Coleman Medal race and five goals behind Sydney forward Charlie Curnow, with Gold Coast's Ben King two goals ahead. His five-goal performance in the recent 16-point win over North Melbourne marked the first time since 1946 that a player 170 cm or shorter has kicked 50-plus goals in a season. Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell lauded Watson's consistency but stressed the club will not target the award, focusing instead on the upcoming interstate match at the Gabba against Brisbane and the final home-and-away fixtures versus Collingwood and West Coast.

The Hawks also contend with injury concerns for Ned Reeves, Karl Amon, Mitch Lewis and Henry Hustwaite. Additionally, a U.S. court dismissed trespassing charges against teammate Connor Macdonald, a development Mitchell said could ease the players' minds. The team hopes to use the Brisbane game as a finals rehearsal despite a poor historic record at the venue.