Nyah Nyah West United forward Hassan Ahmat-Watkins is in ominous form ahead of the Central Murray Football League finals beginning this weekend.
Ahmat-Watkins has booted 40 goals from 11 games this season as a fly-in player commuting from the Northern Territory.
His best performances include a nine-goal haul in Round 9 against Tyntynder and a seven-goal performance a fortnight ago against Mallee Eagles.
The star forward will be hoping to replicate those efforts in this Sunday's elimination final against Lake Boga.
"If we can expose Boga with our leg speed and execute our skills I think we will be able to come out on top and make a deep run into finals," Ahmat-Watkins told National Indigenous Times.
Nyah Nyah West United enter this Sunday's contest in strong form having won five of its past six matches.
The last time these two teams met in July, the Demons were victorious 16.12 (108) to 9.7 (61).
Ah Mat-Watkins arrived at the club through a connection with former Darwin Buffaloes teammate Nick O'Neill and quickly noticed the differences between Top End footy and the Central Murray competition.
for Nyah Nyah West United in 2023. (Image: Nyah Nyah West
United Football Club)
"The transition from the NTFL to the Central Murray had its challenges early on in terms of more structured footy, bigger bodies and some rule changes." Ah Mat-Watkins told National Indigenous Times.
"The travel aspect has been the biggest challenge, travelling four hours to Melbourne, then another three to four hours to play takes a toll physically and mentally.
"Also – being a fly-in player – you are always wanting to perform individually as the club and town are investing a lot of money into you.
"But overall, it has been a great year and experience on and off the field."
Joining Ahmat-Watkins on the long journey to Victoria is Darwin Buffaloes skipper Jarrod Stokes.
Stokes – who has spent previous seasons with Nyah – has been named in the team's best players three times from his seven games and has also kicked eight goals.
"Having Jarrod by my side has made me thrive on and off the field," Ahmat-Watkins said.
"Nyah has a long, rich history of Territory boys going down and playing, which I learnt early on."
