A Player's Perspective: Corey Watts

When Sandringham Dragons recruit Corey Watts made his way across the Nullabor earlier this year, he couldn’t have predicted how his first season at East Perth would unfold.

“It’s been a bit tricky to start off with,” he said.

“You come all this way to play footy and then something like this (the coronavirus crisis) happens. It has definitely presented challenges but the club has been awesome.”

With the WAFL season delayed until at least May 31, Watts said his main priority was to use his time wisely as he works on an individual program.

“I guess I’ve just seen it as a chance to keep on training. I’ve been working on my footy away from the club and using the extra time to better myself so that I am ready to go when the season starts.”

Watts’ relocation hit a hurdle last week when he was dealt a job setback as a result of the COVID-19 situation. 

“There have definitely been some challenges around that but I was able to find some more work and keep on kicking through,” he said.  

“Everyone is going through the same thing at the moment. All we can really do is keep pushing through and lean on the club where we can. It’s been really good to have that support behind me.”

In 2018, Watts claimed the Best and Fairest at the Sandringham Dragons where he was coached by Jeremy Barnard as a bottom-aged player. He said it was his relationship with Barnard and the promise of future success at East Perth that swayed his decision to head west.

“I really respect Barney as a coach, have a really good relationship with him and really like the way he goes about things,” Watts said. 

“When it came to the end of my top-age year, I missed the (AFL National) Draft and I was wondering what was next. I could have played VFL but I ended up checking in with Barney and he said, ‘look mate, why don’t you come over here and give it a shot.’

“To be honest, it was probably the relationship that I have with him and the respect that I have for him that sold me on it more than anything. 

“I thought it was the best thing for my footy; I love the culture and the history behind East Perth, I was really excited about the direction that they were heading, so I wanted to be part of that as well.”

Barnard plans to use Watts to boost his key-position player stocks. At 197cm and 97 kilos, he is a reliable option as a lock-down defender and intercept marker.

“A lot of the time, I’m the last man on the line. I’m in the cage around the fullback area,” he said.

Since arriving at East Perth, Watts said that he had clicked with Nick Robertson who is also embarking on his first season with the Royals.

“Both being new to the club this year, we’re getting along really well and we can sort of lean on each other with different things. 

“I’ve been able to take a lot of learnings off him as well – he’s played at the higher level and I’m trying to get to that. He’s been a good mentor but also a great mate to have at the club, for sure.” 

While working on an individual program has its challenges, Watts said the club was committed to making sure the playing group remains connected.

“I’ve got my own little gym set up at home, that’s been really good for me being able to maintain fitness and keep working away,” he said. 

“Just calling and letting each other know what we’re doing in terms of training and how we’re all going – that’s been awesome. I’m lucky, because I have been able to keep on working, having got that other job as well, so it’s been good to keep busy.

“We’ve done a really good job to stay connected as a club, to help everyone stay together and push through these times even though it’s all a bit strange and a bit different.”

While the format of the 2020 WAFL season is still unclear, a number of options have been floated including a nine game season, plus finals.

“Myself, and most of the boys would agree, that we’ve worked really hard this pre-season and we were looking red-hot ready to go,” Watts said.

“I think any opportunity to play footy at this stage, would be bloody awesome. As I said before, I’ve come all this way so any football for me is perfect.”

With his sister also settling in Perth, Watts said he was enjoying the city’s laidback lifestyle.

“Melbourne has a lot of people trying to get to places really quickly. Perth’s a bit more relaxed, a bit more chilled out.

“I’m really enjoying the beaches as well, I’ve been getting a lot of use out of them lately. It’s a lot different to Melbourne but the adjustment has been good. I think I suit Perth.”

Despite having been at East Perth for only a short period, Watts was confident the club would rebound stronger than ever in the wake of recent events.

“Just back us in that we’re all continuing to work behind the scenes,” he said.

“All the boys are keeping fit and as soon as we get that opportunity to get out there on the field we’ll show what all this hard work has been leading towards. 

“Stay positive, stay close to your families, look after one another and hopefully we can get back to footy soon and that culture that we’ve established for many years.”