The Cats' Whiskers Episode 21 2021 - Ron Watt - a podcast by Wes Cusworth

Recruited from Tocumwal in the Murray League after winning his clubs Best & Fairest in 1981, Ron became a prominent member of Geelong’s 1982 Under 19 team.

After spending 1983 with Geelong West in the VFA playing as a ruck rover in their Grand Final side, Ron was invited back to Kardinia Park.

Following some excellent form in the Reserves, Ron made his senior debut in Round 11 against Richmond at the MCG and backed it up the following week against Footscray at the Western Oval.

Sadly for Ron no further appearances were forthcoming at senior level but his football story doesn’t end there.

Ron returned to the VFA with Geelong West and carved out an excellent playing career and commenced his coaching journey.

That journey included a prominent role in the dominance of Geelong Football League club North Shore as they powered through the 90’s winning eight premierships between 1990 and 2000, with Ron involved as either player, coach or both in most of them.

His success brought a third invitation to Kardinia Park, this time as an Assistant Coach becoming the Cats inaugural VFL Coach in 2000. That culminated in Ron coaching a VFL Premiership over Port Melbourne in 2002 as he craftily teamed up and coming future champions such as Jimmy Bartel, Gary Ablett Junior, Josh Hunt, Steve Johnson, James Kelly and Paul Chapman with wily veterans Tim McGrath, David Mensch and Mitchell White.

Ron branched out further into the area of player welfare and excelled in this role as the Cats swept the field to win AFL premierships in 2007, 2009 and 2011 with the very players he helped mould into greats.

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