Fergus Watts

Fergus Watts (born 21 September 1985) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Adelaide Football Club and the St Kilda Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Watts was a forward line player. He later went on to form Bastion Collective, reportedly the largest independent marketing agency in Australia. Watts serves as the company's executive chairman.[2]

Fergus Watts
Personal information
Date of birth (1985-09-21) 21 September 1985
Place of birth Whipps Cross, London[1]
Original team(s) Wesley College, Melbourne/Sandringham Dragons
Debut Round 17, 20 June 2004, Adelaide vs. Western Bulldogs, at AAMI Stadium
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2004–2005 Adelaide 5 (2)
2006 St Kilda 1 (1)
Total 6 (3)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2006.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Playing career

Originally from England, Watts was educated at Wesley College, Melbourne and was a 1st round draft selection (14th overall) for the Adelaide Crows at the 2003 AFL Draft. Watts made his senior AFL debut for Adelaide in Round 17 2004, against the Western Bulldogs at AAMI Stadium. Watts played five games in 2004, kicking two goals,[3] and a good future for Watts seemed assured. However, Watts was unable to break into Adelaide's side throughout the 2005 AFL season, instead playing with the Crows's South Australian National Football League (SANFL) affiliate Woodville-West Torrens Football Club, for whom he kicked 10 goals in the 2005 SANFL semi-final.

Watts requested to be traded to St Kilda at the end of the 2005 season, citing limited playing opportunities at Adelaide. Watts's father Jim Watts was the then CEO of St Kilda, later leaving the club in June 2006.[4] A deal was made with Adelaide, in which St Kilda traded their first round selection (number 17 overall) at the 2005 AFL Draft in return for Watts.

Watts made his debut for St Kilda in the 2006 AFL season opener against West Coast, where he kicked one goal.[5] Dropped to St Kilda's Victorian Football League (VFL) affiliate Casey Scorpions, Watts broke his ankle two weeks later. His recovery was prolonged, punctuated by five surgeries on his leg and ankle and a struggle with osteitis pubis.[6] Although returning to the VFL in the latter half of 2007, Watts was unable to break back into the AFL and at the end of the season he was delisted by St Kilda.[7]

Business career

In 2009, after his football career ended, the 23 year Watts founded advertising agency Bastion Group.[8] He had been working in an advertising agency, and then decided to form his own company.[8]

In October 2015, the company changed its name to Bastion Collective.[9] As of 2018, it was reportedly the largest independent marketing and communications group in Australia.[10][11]

References
  1. Quayle, Emma (2 October 2003). "Watts not to like about draftee from Dragons". The Age. Melbourne.
  2. "The benefit of doubt: Fergus Watts". theceomagazine.com. 22 December 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  3. Watts's career statistics from AFL Tables
  4. "Saints in bid to farewell Tasmania Saints in bid to farewell Tasmania". Archived from the original on 5 January 2009. Retrieved 18 October 2007.
  5. Fergus Watts profile, Official St Kilda Football Club Website Archived 29 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  6. Saints.com.au: Watts he have to do?
  7. "Saints delist Watts, Brooks". Herald Sun. 17 October 2007.
  8. "Watts empire is no bastion of old-school Melbourne". smh.com.au. 18 February 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  9. "Bastion Collective expands business to the UK; reveals new market-first agency model and name". campaignbrief.com. 27 November 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  10. "Why marketing firm Bastion Collective is introducing unlimited leave for its staff". smartcompany.com.au. 13 March 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  11. "Aussie Collective Bastion Sets Up in Irvine". ocbj.com. 28 January 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
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