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EX- Champion Died at 82
By Pivot
Once voted the greatest foot-
baller in Australia, 82-year-old
William "Poss" Watson died
at Sunset, Dalkeith, on Satur-
day.
A staunch South Fremantle
follower to the last, he went
to Bassendean on Saturday to
see South beat Swan Districts
and he was in high spirits be-
fore he went to bed to die in
his sleep.
Born at Warrnambool, Vic-
toria, Mr. Watson played ruck
in four Essendon premiership
sides— from 1891-94. In 1893
he wrested from the famous
Peter Burns the title of Aus-
tralia's greatest footballer.
He captained the Fremantle
team from 1895-99.
Mr. Grif John, the founder
of South Fremantle Club, said
today that. Mr. Watson was
second only to Albert Thur-
good as the greatest League
footballer WA had seen.
"He was able to play in any
position; he was a great cap-
tain and a true gen-
tleman both on and off the
field," said Mr. John.
In his earlier days Mr. Wat-
son was an outstanding swim-
mer in Victoria and very in-
terested in coursing. He train-
ed his own dogs. .
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