Hawthorn star Nick Watson will be the latest player to receive scrutiny from the Match Review Officer (MRO) after vision revealed he flipped the bird towards Richmond fans.
In Sunday's victory at the MCG, Watson can be seen engaging with Tigers supporters in the goal square before making the "obscene gesture" and then pointing toward the scoreboard, as the Hawks recorded their sixth win.
The dynamo and fiery forward presented his middle twice in retaliation to some likely choice words from the Richmond army.
The middle finger has become, albeit minor, a trend among some of the game's biggest names in recent weeks.
"It's filmed by a spectator, the crowd's giving it to him..."
Nick Watson looks set to follow in Bailey Smith's footsteps and be fined by the AFL after flipping the bird at a crowd member.#9FootyFurnace | Watch on Nine & 9Now ๐ฅ๏ธ pic.twitter.com/S6lkys066M
โ Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) May 4, 2025
West Coast wunderkind Harley Reid was sanctioned for flipping the bird towards Brisbane fans while Geelong star Bailey Smith was fined twice; once for a double bird to Adelaide fans and once towards Hawthorn supporters.
Both Reid and Smith were first given a 'please explain' from the AFL, but were ultimately slapped with a $1,000 fine.
The Cats midfielder was forced to pay $1,875 for the second offence.
Watson is expected to receive the same punishment.
The MRO findings from Sunday's games will be released Monday evening.
