Doug Watsford
Collingwood
AFL career
21 games7 goals
- Debut
- R10 1899 v STK15 July 1899
- Most recent
- SR3 1900 v MEL8 Sept 1900
Stats
Bio
Born into a renowned Methodist family, Doug Watsford took a winding path to the VFL that included a stint in the Western Australian Goldfields, where he represented Fremantle and even opened the bowling against a visiting Australian XI cricket team. He arrived at Collingwood from the Dandenong Ranges midway through 1899 and immediately looked the part, establishing himself as a mobile follower and key position player. Standing 184cm, he was a commanding presence who combined strength with athleticism, known for his contested marking and a long, accurate kick. Watsford appeared destined for stardom after a brilliant start to his tenure at Victoria Park, but his promising career was abruptly cut short after the 1900 season. Citing a combination of illness and a desire to serve the church, he retired to become a missionary, leaving the Magpies without a player who many believed was a champion in the making.
Profile
- Born
- 27 Feb 1876
- Died
- 04 Dec 1915 (aged 39y 280d)
- Birthplace
- Sebastopol, VIC
- Deathplace
- Kangaroo Flat, VIC
Teams
Family
- Brother:Stan Watsford
Bio
1 revisionBorn into a renowned Methodist family, Doug Watsford took a winding path to the VFL that included a stint in the Western Australian Goldfields, where he represented Fremantle and even opened the bowling against a visiting Australian XI cricket team. He arrived at Collingwood from the Dandenong Ranges midway through 1899 and immediately looked the part, establishing himself as a mobile follower and key position player. Standing 184cm, he was a commanding presence who combined strength with athleticism, known for his contested marking and a long, accurate kick. Watsford appeared destined for stardom after a brilliant start to his tenure at Victoria Park, but his promising career was abruptly cut short after the 1900 season. Citing a combination of illness and a desire to serve the church, he retired to become a missionary, leaving the Magpies without a player who many believed was a champion in the making.