Watson became Australian champion in the 50-metre backstroke in 1996. However, as it was not an Olympic event, he did not gain national selection until 1997, when he competed at the 1997 FINA Short Course World Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Despite winning the Australian backstroke title in 1996, Watson didn't qualify for the national team until 1997 due to it not being an Olympic event. He then competed at the 1997 FINA Short Course World Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden.