View Full Version : U 19 SANFL player dies
Just heard that in teh Under 19s game between Wests and Eagles today a player was kicked in the head (accidently im assuming) and died on the way to hospital. Apparently he was from a famous footballing family as well. It was on the news but i missed it....does anyone else know who it was????
This is tragic in any case whoever it is
It was Jake Watson, the nephew of Tim.
Savatage
6 Apr 2002, 19:20
That's an absolute tragedy. A kick to the head? Unbelievable.
Unfortunately this is one of the realistic dangers of contact sport- probably an accident but a tragic result all the same.
footyman
6 Apr 2002, 20:01
Terrible news. That would explain why Tim was not presenting the sport report on Channel 7 news Melbourne tonight.
Unley Legend
6 Apr 2002, 21:18
Absolutely tragic news, condolences to family and friends.
goal_umpire
6 Apr 2002, 21:34
That is sad...
Sympathies to Tim Watson and his family
The Hitman
6 Apr 2002, 21:37
That is very sad. I know there was a Watson who was looking to make the AFL. I don't know if it is Jake, or another relation, although I thought it was Tim's son.
Anyway, very sad, and condolences to his family and teammates.
The Hitman
footyman
6 Apr 2002, 23:01
Originally posted by The Hitman
That is very sad. I know there was a Watson who was looking to make the AFL. I don't know if it is Jake, or another relation, although I thought it was Tim's son.
Anyway, very sad, and condolences to his family and teammates.
The Hitman
Tim's son Jobe plays for the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup. I actually saw them play this morning and Jobe played a great game and is certainly draftable. Tim was there and watching not far away from me.
Tragically, only hours later I hear of his nephew's death in South Australia. As said, condolences to the family. It is always a tragedy when a footballing accident occurs.
dreamkillers
6 Apr 2002, 23:07
A very sad day in the history of football and for the football community......
Wayde Petersen
6 Apr 2002, 23:10
I send my best wishes to the Watson family in this difficult and tragic time.
Deepest sympathy to the Watson family. Particularly to Rick & Cathy.
I also feel sorry for the other player involved in the incident. Although it was accidental, to be responsible for the death of another man must be a terrible memory he'll carry for the rest of his life.
dreamkillers
7 Apr 2002, 03:08
This is from the Sunday Mail and AFL site.....
Watson's nephew dies after collision
Sun 7 April, 2002 afl.com.au
Jake Watson, the nephew of Essendon legend Tim Watson, has died after collapsing during an SANFL under-19 match yesterday.
The 17-year-old, who is the son of former Essendon and West Adelaide player Larry Watson, collided with another player during a clash between West Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens.
He failed to respond to about 20 minutes of emergency treatment by paramedics and was rushed to Royal Adelaide Hospital, where he was placed on life-support.
A hospital spokesman confirmed Jake died late last night after spending the evening on life support with his parents by his side.
FOOTBALLER, 17 FIGHTS FOR LIFE
Sunday Mail 07apr02
A WEST Adelaide under-19 footballer was fighting for his life last night after a freak on-field collision at Richmond yesterday. Jake Watson, 17, son of former West Adelaide halfback flanker Larry Watson and nephew of Essendon champion Tim, collapsed after a collision with an opponent 10 minutes into the third quarter of a match against Woodville-West Torrens, at Richmond Oval.
Jake failed to respond to emergency treatment by paramedics for nearly 20 minutes and was rushed to Royal Adelaide Hospital, where he was on a life support system last night.
The young player's mother, Sally, and father were maintaining a bedside vigil.
Under-19 players from both clubs underwent immediate counselling at Richmond Oval and West Adelaide will again be counselled today at 10am.
"This is a dreadfully unfortunate incident," West Adelaide Football president Dion McCaffrie said last night.
"The ramifications of what has happened will be felt throughout the whole club. It is one of the worst accidents we have had in the club's history.
"The situation, as I understand it, is Jake's condition is very critical. I did not see what happened but it certainly was just an unfortunate accident."
Witnesses said Jake, an onballer, collided with an Eagles' player, possibly during the smothering of a kick and both players fell. Jake did not get up and the game was stopped.
After attempts were made to resuscitate the young footballer, players left the oval and the game was abandoned.
Jake's parents and other relatives were watching the match at the time.
West Adelaide under-19 coach, former SANFL player and close family friend Tony Burgess, said after the accident: "At a time like this you don't know what's right and what's wrong or what to do but all I can say is our deepest sympathy is with Larry, Sally and the kids." A league team meeting with senior players had just finished in the Richmond clubrooms when the incident occurred.
Last night Jake's condition was described as extremely critical. It is understood a decision on the life support will be made in the next 48 hours. The nature or cause of the injury has not been revealed.
Tearful relatives, including one carrying a Bible, gathered at the hospital from 7.30pm yesterday. Other relatives were last night preparing to drive from interstate to be at Jake's bedside.
West Adelaide team-mate James Fraser, 19, said he was 10m away when Jake collapsed during play.
"It was so quick. He was standing one minute and down the next," said James, who was at the hospital after suffering a minor onfield ankle injury.
"We all rushed over but there was nothing we could do."
James, of Plympton, praised Jake as a "great guy and a great leader" who lived to play football for West Adelaide.
"He wants to go all the way with the club. He was good enough that he could, too," James said.
"Everybody liks him."
Three Eagles players returned to the West Adelaide clubrooms to offer their support last night.
Jake played junior football at Sturt and crossed to West Adelaide at the beginning of last season.
He played for the State under-18 team in the national carnival in Melbourne last year.
Senior league team manager and long-time West Adelaide member Ricky Pink described Jake as a likeable young man with a lovely nature.
Woodville-West Torrens general manager John Kantilaftas, who played in the back pocket in the 1983 grand final, said he would contact West Adelaide general manager Doug Thomas this morning.
"We will accommodate West Adelaide with anything they wish to do before today's match," Mr Kantilaftas said.
He said the Eagles would try to organise some type of counselling for its under 19s team before training on Tuesday.
West Adelaide officials were to have been entertained by the SANFL at Football Park last night for the Geelong v Adelaide Crows clash.
Last night club members and officials were comforting each other at Richmond Oval.
SA Ambulance Services spokesman Lee Francis said last night the service attended more than a dozen sports-related injuries each week, ranging from young children to mature-age competitors.
RoosLuver
7 Apr 2002, 16:02
My thoughts and prayers go to the Watson family :(
Originally posted by Savatage
That's an absolute tragedy. A kick to the head? Unbelievable.
Unfortunately this is one of the realistic dangers of contact sport- probably an accident but a tragic result all the same.
I think it was a smother attempt gone wrong.
Naththo
21 Apr 2002, 19:27
Hi,
I have been feeling sad and bad feeling for a week since I heard about this incident. I really do remember him many years ago when I used to be friend with him. I have been looking at photo of Jake Watson, old image and from newspaper and thought. Oh dear. I really missed him since. I have been blaming myself that I have forgot about it till I heard and everything came into my mind. I really should have been seeing him sometimes before this year. I am really proud of him that he played football in under 19 SANFL and others thing that I read in newspaper. I really don't want to say goodbye to him as he travelling to heaven. I still want him to be with me all the time and to his family too. Very sad so far from me. Tear coming down my face. I love him. :(
Hope to see him from heaven soon one day if this gonna happen that I wish.
From Nathan Thompson.