Two rising stars from the Australian Football League have officially confirmed their off-field partnership, sending fans into a frenzy. Hawthorn Hawks' young forward Nick 'The Wizard' Watson and Carlton AFLW's 2024 best and fairest winner Keeley Sherar have gone public with their relationship.
A Blue Carpet Debut for the Footy Couple
The couple chose a high-profile event to make their romance official. They stepped out together on Friday night at Melbourne's Crown complex for the Carlton Football Club's AFLW best and fairest awards. Sherar, who had a stellar season, was photographed beaming on the blue carpet alongside Watson, in what is widely considered a 'hard launch' of their relationship.
Sources indicate the pair have been an item for several months, but had successfully kept their budding connection away from the public eye until now. Sherar was joined at the event by teammates, including sisters Sophie and Abbie McKay, who also attended with their partners.
Fan Reaction and Social Media Buzz
The Carlton Football Club's decision to include Watson in their official social media gallery from the night caught many supporters by surprise. The club captioned the images simply, 'Blue carpet antics,' but the inclusion of the Hawthorn player sparked immediate comment.
Reactions ranged from humorous speculation about a future player transfer to mock outrage. One fan joked, 'Wizard to Carlton in 2027 confirmed,' while another exclaimed, 'Seeing Nick Watson on the first slide was UNEXPECTED.' A less impressed supporter urged the club to 'get Nick Watson off our socials now.'
On-Field Success for Both Young Stars
The relationship unites two exceptionally talented young athletes. 20-year-old Nick Watson, affectionately dubbed 'The Wizard', enjoyed a breakout debut season with the Hawks, booting an impressive 36 goals. His public profile has grown significantly, including regular appearances on Nova FM's breakfast show.
His new partner, Keeley Sherar, is a cornerstone of the Carlton AFLW side. Her on-field excellence was formally recognised at the very event where the couple went public, as she took home the club's top honour, the 2024 best and fairest award. Both their teams had strong seasons, with each reaching preliminary finals.
Looking ahead, the football world will now watch this new power couple with interest. Hawthorn, with Watson a key part of their future, is already being talked about as a contender, with bookmakers rating them an $8 chance to win the premiership in 2026. Sam Mitchell's men begin their next campaign with an away clash against the GWS Giants on March 7.
