Jobe Watson Biography

Cyril Rioli has been confirmed as the last sporting champion to take the plunge as part of the Big Freeze at the 'G on Monday.

The four-time premiership Hawk and Norm Smith medallist was locked in to be the 14th slider during Collingwood's clash with Melbourne on Queen's Birthday.

Chris Judd, Dane Swan, Nick Riewoldt, Jobe Watson and Sam Mitchell are some of the other ex-AFL stars preparing for the slide into icy water.

Kyle Langford will take on Jobe Watson's No.4 jumper in 2018.

"I'm pretty humbled to be offered the opportunity to wear the guernsey by Woosha and Jobe," Langford said.

"Leon Baker, Gavin Wanganeen and obviously Jobe are famous and successful players for the club. To have been able to play and train alongside Jobe, and then to be able to wear the jumper after him, it's a massive honour.

"Jobe said 'Do it for yourself, don't do it for anyone else, and you've worked hard and earned the honour of wearing it'."

Jobe Watson says he knew his time as captain of Essendon was over by the time the final bans were handed down in the Bombers' infamous supplements scandal.

"I really knew I didn't want to be the captain anymore, because I just didn’t want to have to handle all those responsibilities," Watson said.

"When I was going through it, it was really tough, but I thought, 'I've just got to keep going'.

"It's really important the person they look to, in a sense of leadership, doesn't just give up and still keeps guiding and keeps helping and is their person they can rely on."

The mystery surrounding Jobe Watson's Brownlow Medal remains unsolved, with the retiring star insisting he hasn't seen it in years.

Watson, to retire at the end of the season, was stripped last year of his 2012 Brownlow as a result of the Essendon supplements saga.

AFL chief Gillon McLachlan earlier this year claimed to have the medal but declined to elaborate on how he ended up with it.

Watson's cousin, St Kilda midfielder Seb Ross, last month said there was a chance the medal was hanging over his grandparents' mantle.

Watson's manager Craig Kelly suggested the Essendon veteran's pet bulldog Benson had eaten the medal.

Quizzed on Wednesday, Watson admitted he owed his Nan an explanation, but shed no light on the medal's whereabouts.

"I gave her a replica ... I probably should tell her that it's a fake," he said.

"My dog Benson didn't eat it because I've never had it.

"The last time I saw it was in 2012. I gave it to my parents, so I assumed that they sorted it out."

Jobe Watson announces his retirement, effective at the end of the 2017 season.

"It's time to move on. I know my time is up – I think the worst thing you can do is lie to yourself and try and convince yourself it's not, when deep down, you know that it is," Watson said.

"I wasn't able to do things I used to be able to do. The game sped up [in his year off] – it used to be slow for me – so that was my initial inkling it was moving a bit quicker.

"I said to John [Worsfold], 'This is what I feel, rather than wait until the end of the year, I know this is going to be my last year and I'd rather enjoy it than internalise things and worry about it'.

"It makes however long I've got left more enjoyable."

Watson also opened up on the WADA scandal and his subsequent suspension.

"The most difficult part of it is that it ends up changing you as a person, and that is something I didn't enjoy. I'm a pretty private person," he said.

"When you look at it from the sense that you only have 15 years in a career and almost a third of them are tied up in one event … it is a big part of your career and it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth."

Watson says he believes returning to the game after serving his suspension was the right decision.

"I think it was really important. What it really came down to was that it was a sense of finishing on my own terms," he said.

Jobe Watson says he will have a clearer idea of whether he plays on in 2018 after speaking with Essendon coach John Worsfold.

"It would be something I'll probably reflect on after the year and chat to John after the season's finished and find out what I want to do, what he wants to do, and what's the best thing for the club," Watson said.

"I can't give you an answer about how I feel now because I haven't spoken to the appropriate people."

Dyson Heppell is named Essendon skipper for 2017.

Heppell will be supported by Cale Hooker and Zach Merrett, who have been named vice-captains.

Former skipper Jobe Watson retains a spot in the club's leadership group which will also include Brendon Goddard, Michael Hurley and Joe Daniher.

“It’s an absolute honour to be named the captain of this great club,” Heppell said.

"Jobe (Watson) has been a tremendous captain - he’s one of the great leaders of our game, and he’s been a wonderful mentor to me over the journey."

Essendon coach John Worsfold says Jobe Watson was prepared to reclaim the Essendon captaincy if the club wanted him to take on the role, but felt teammate Dyson Heppell was ready to hold the position.

"Jobe was very articulate in saying he would be more than happy to lead the club if that was felt the best situation for the club this year," Worsfold said.

"But he also believed that some of the succession planning that he'd been focusing on the last few years and what he felt was really important in developing leaders, was that Dyson – or any young player – was ready to take on the captaincy of the club.

"We had a good discussion about what we felt was best for the club going forward and that was the decision we came to."

Jobe Watson has returned the 2012 Brownlow Medal to the AFL.

AFL CEO Gill McLachlan revealed the prestigious medal was now in the League's possession, meaning the final curtain can now be drawn on the Essendon supplements saga.

Essendon chairman Lindsay Tanner praises Jobe Watson for making the "right decision" in handing back his Brownlow Medal.

"On behalf of the entire Essendon community, I'd like to formally acknowledge Jobe Watson, who has remained unassailably dignified over the past several years under extraordinary pressure," Tanner said.

"He's a person of the highest integrity and character and has the total support and admiration of our membership, staff, players, executive and board.

"I'm not sure I would've had the courage to make that decision, but he's somebody who deserves unqualified respect, admiration and thanks from the Essendon Football Club."

Essendon coach John Worsfold says Jobe Watson's decision to hand back the Brownlow Medal has made him question his passion for the game.

"No doubt it's again got Jobe to that point where he says, 'Do I really have the passion for the game and playing the game?'" Worsfold said.

"We're saying to Jobe, 'Don't just think a light is going to switch on overnight. Take your time. Come and get involved in training, let it just evolve.'"

Trent Cotchin and Sam Mitchell will both be awarded the 2012 Brownlow Medal after a landmark ruling by the AFL Commission on Tuesday.

The pair finished equal second behind Jobe Watson in 2012, but will now receive medals after Watson last week said he would hand back his medal as a result of Essendon's supplements program.

"As the highest-placed eligible vote-getters, Sam Mitchell and Trent Cotchin were formally declared the joint winners of the 2012 Brownlow Medal," AFL chairman Mike Fitzpatrick said.

"Sam and Trent are deserving Brownlow Medallists for the quality of their play in 2012, and the Commission wishes to pass on the congratulations of the entire football community for their performances."

Former Essendon coach James Hird says he feels terrible for Jobe Watson who relinquished the Brownlow Medal he won in 2012.

"Jobe Watson never cheated, he never took anything illegal and he won the medal fairly," Hird said.

"He shouldn’t have to give it back.

"(Former Essendon sports scientist) Stephen Dank has never been found guilty of giving the players a performance enhancing drug and it’s wrong Jobe has to hand back the medal."

Jobe Watson has decided to hand back his 2012 Brownlow Medal.

Due to face the AFL Commission to present a submission on why he should keep the medal, Watson instead made the decision with to return it.

"The basic principle behind this prestigious award is to honour the fairest and best," Watson said.

"If there is a question in people's minds as to whether the award is tainted, the fairest and best thing to do is to give it back and honour the history that has gone before me."

Essendon has taken the blame for Jobe Watson's decision to hand back his 2012 Brownlow Medal.

Lindsay Tanner became Bombers chairman at the end of last year and said the club would keep supporting Watson.

"Jobe has remained unassailably dignified under the most extraordinary pressure over the past four years," Tanner said in a statment.

"The club takes responsibility for placing Jobe in this position and unreservedly apologises to him and his family."

Jobe Watson will this week plan his submission to the AFL Commission ahead of the League's looming call whether he keeps the 2012 Brownlow Medal.

"The AFL has been pretty clear on what this looks like and it's up to Jobe as to how he wants to approach it," Bombers CEO Xavier Campbell told SEN radio.

"We (Essendon) certainly have some views but we'll certainly be led by Jobe and where he's at and what he wants to do with respect to that approach.

"I think he's still contemplating that."

Jobe Watson will be given the chance to show the AFL Commission why he deserves to keep his 2012 Brownlow Medal.

"Jobe, if he wished to, would be able to make a submission," AFL football operations manager Mark Evans said.

"We've got the commission in town for a couple of days and they would sit there and listen to any of the submissions and go through the code at commission level."

Jobe Watson announces his decision to play on in 2017 after spending a year abroad getting away from footy.

"I had to get away and think about what I wanted to do with life," Watson said.

"I had lived in this football world since I was 17.

"What we've been through, so much of it is about speculation – what might happen or what is going to happen.

"If you spend your life living in that world of speculation you miss the moments.

"I removed myself from it and lived in moments. It was liberating."

Watson, however, said his touch may need some work after being away for so long.

"The first time I touched a footy was when I got back here so I don't know how I'm going to go but I feel good," he said.

"When you're feeing good in your mind then your body acts accordingly."

Essendon coach John Worsfold says Jobe Watson needs to make a decision on his playing future within the next two weeks.

"The club has to keep moving and we need to base our decisions on what our list is going to look like," Worsfold said.

"Jobe's a wonderful part of our list if he chooses to play on and a big part we've got to replace if he chooses not to."

Essendon is no closer to knowing whether Jobe Watson intends to play on next season.

A scheduled meeting between Bombers chief executive Xavier Campbell and Watson this week didn't resolve the question of the banned skipper's playing future.

"Jobe's probably borne the largest load through this whole saga, being the captain of the club, and obviously the Brownlow is tied in with everything as well," Essendon football boss Rob Kerr said.

"My understanding is that he's not 100 per cent clear on what his decision is at the moment and if he needs more time we're happy to give him that."

Jobe Watson has returned to Melbourne looking like he is ready to resume his AFL career, according to Essendon teammate Dyson Heppell.

"Honestly, he's kept his cards that close to his chest," Heppell told AFL360.

"I don't think his dad or anyone knows what he's doing.

"He's in really good condition – he's prepared his body as if he is coming back.

"He's obviously taking his time to make that call and when he's ready and when the time is right, he'll announce that."

Essendon chief executive Xavier Campbell will meet with Jobe Watson this week as the Bombers captain moves closer to making a call on his future.

Watson arrived back in Australia last week after spending much of the season overseas in the United States.

He is the final member of Essendon's 12 banned players who are yet to confirm his intentions for next season.

"We want what's best for Jobe – we've said that all along," Campbell said.

"We'll continue to support him and when he makes that decision we'll sit down with him and have that discussion."

Jake Long says he is looking forward to an AFL career playing with fellow father-son Essendon players Joe Daniher and Jobe Watson.

"Hopefully we can get some chemistry going in the future," Long said after tallying 13 disposals in his debut against Gold Coast.

"The reception from the crowd was amazing. I think the Bomber fans have come out in numbers and it's great to see them all and the love that they give Joey and Jobe (Watson).

"I know they love Joey and Jobe - hopefully I can join that three and make a trio."

Essendon coach John Worsfold has told suspended skipper Jobe Watson to only return to the club if he still has the hunger to keep playing.

"It doesn't matter what I want, it's really what Jobe wants," Worsfold told Channel Nine.

"In the end, I left it with him saying, 'Jobe, it's your life. If you want to come back and play you know we would love to have you there, but you've got to really have that passion to come back.

"'It's too hard, the game challenges you in too many ways to not have your full heart and soul in it'."

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan admits collective dread if the commission has to make a call on Jobe Watson's 2012 Brownlow Medal.

If the last-ditch appeal against the Essendon doping suspensions fails, then the commission will decide whether Watson keeps the medal.

That is on hold until the appeal verdict is handed down in Switzerland, most likely later this year.

"Everyone involved, if they had to make that decision, would dread it," McLachlan told Fox Footy.

"I think the people charged with the responsibility of making that decision will not have made a more difficult decision - not just in their time in football, but almost in their lives.

"I don't want to over-dramatise it, but that will be as hard a decision as anyone on the commission has had to make, I'm sure of it."

Essendon coach John Worsfold says there are signs that banned skipper Jobe Watson will continue to play football after his suspension ends.

"I know Jobe's training at the moment, with a view to continue playing footy," Worsfold said.

"I can't really comment any more on what he's thinking, other than what I know he's doing."

Emerging Bombers Zach Merrett and Joe Daniher have been named in the club's rejigged leadership group, which will feature rotating top-up players throughout the season.

Essendon was forced to change its leadership group when five members – captain Jobe Watson, vice-captain Dyson Heppell, David Myers, Cale Hooker and Michael Hurley – were suspended for the season for anti-doping breaches.

The remaining two members of the group that was announced in December, Brendon Goddard and Mark Baguley, have taken on the respective captain and vice-captaincy duties this year.

The bans left several vacancies, with Merrett, Daniher and James Gwilt added to leadership positions, and David Zaharakis reinstalled into the leadership group after being cut at the end of last season.

"Obviously development of our youngsters is a bit of a priority this year so it makes sense that we've got a couple of younger players who are held in pretty high regard by the group and they're emerging leaders," Essendon football manager Rob Kerr.

"Given the circumstances and given the exposure to the full leadership repertoire and what's involved in the senior leadership group level will no doubt hold them in good stead and fast-track their progress."

Trent Cotchin says he would accept the 2012 Brownlow Medal if banned Bomber Jobe Watson is forced to surrender the award, but that he hasn't really thought too much about it.

Watson's right to retain the Brownlow was jeopardised when the Court of Arbitration for Sport in January found 34 past and present Essendon players guilty of an anti-doping violation.

"Jobe was the best player that season. Until an appeal is heard and then the commission has made a decision, there’s really no point putting any thought into it," Cotchin said.

"But at this stage, Jobe played consistent good footy that season. I think it’d be a challenging position to be in, because we all know the great person Jobe is."

Jobe Watson says the suspended Bombers still believe they are innocent despite the Court of Arbitration for Sport's verdict.

"The decision announced by the Court of Arbitration for Sport to uphold WADA’s appeal is devastating," Watson said in a statement on behalf of the 34 current and former players.

"We are struggling to come to terms with this decision, and feel it does not support the players’ firm belief that we are innocent.

"Our legal team is conducting a thorough review of the decision and will explore any avenues available to us."

Essendon's worst fears have been realised with the Court of Arbitration for Sport finding 34 past and present players guilty of taking banned substance Thymosin Beta-4 and suspending them for the entire 2016 season.

Twelve players still on the Bombers' list and five now at other AFL clubs who took part in Essendon's 2012 supplements program have been hit with two-year bans beginning on March 31 last year.

However, most of the suspensions will come to an end on November 13 this year, taking into account provisional suspensions already served.

Bombers skipper Jobe Watson, vice-captain Dyson Heppell, reigning club champion Cale Hooker, Michael Hurley, Tom Bellchambers, Heath Hocking, Travis Colyer, Michael Hibberd, Ben Howlett, David Myers, Brent Stanton and Tayte Pears will all miss the Bombers' 2016 campaign.

The guilty decision impacts four other AFL clubs with former Essendon players on their lists, with Jake Carlisle (St Kilda), Stewart Crameri (Western Bulldogs), Jake Melksham (Melbourne), Angus Monfries and Patrick Ryder (Port Adelaide) to be sidelined for the season.

Former Essendon players Mark McVeigh and Brent Prismall are set to be suspended from their respective roles at Greater Western Sydney and the Western Bulldogs until November 13 as support staff are banned from any WADA-complaint sports under the sanctions.

McVeigh is an assistant coach at the Giants, while Prismall is a player wellbeing and welfare manager with the Bulldogs.

Essendon champion and former club coach James Hird slammed the guilty verdict and suspensions.

"I am shocked by this decision," Hird said in a statement.

"I firmly believe the players do not deserve this finding.

"They do not deserve to face a twelve-month suspension from the sport. This is a miscarriage of justice for 34 young men."

The AFL Commission will hold a meeting in February to decide whether Essendon captain Jobe Watson will keep his 2012 Brownlow Medal.

"The Commission determined that the awarding of this medal needs to be reviewed in light of today's decision," AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said.

"Therefore it was determined that the full Commission must hear this issue and that a February meeting would provide the appropriate level of time for parties to get prepared."

Jobe Watson was in shock on Tuesday as he digested the Court of Arbitration for Sport's penalty that will sideline him for the 2016 season, according to his father, Bombers legend Tim Watson.

"When it first began, nobody really knew the enormity of it or the consequences of it at that stage or the complexities of it," Tim Watson said.

"Over time, you just look at this and think: 'How have we arrived at this point?' Particularly for somebody like Jobe who is so ethical and he's so moral – as a parent I look at him and I think: 'How can you be in this situation?"

Essendon's top draft pick Darcy Parish says stepping up to life at the elite level has been "intense", but he couldn't have wished for two better mentors than Jobe Watson and Dyson Heppell.

“There is some stars here and some great leaders as well so I’m learning heaps along the way," Parish said.

“Heppell, Jobe – they stand out pretty well.

"They’re absolute stars as well so they’ve just been teaching me about stoppages and how to train and go about my business, so it’s awesome to get their knowledge.”

Jobe Watson has rediscovered his passion and will lead Essendon for the seventh season after being elected the club's skipper for 2016.

The Bombers announced their leadership group on Friday, with the 30-year-old Brownlow medallist to take the reins again with midfielder Dyson Heppell his vice captain.

Essendon's leadership group will also include David Myers, Brendon Goddard and Cale Hooker, with Michael Hurley and Mark Baguley added to the group.

Heppell captained the Bombers during Watson's nine-week absence at the end of last season due to a shoulder injury, but Watson said he "had the passion" to hold the position again.

"I spent some time away by myself overseas and had a long think about what I wanted out of footy and my role at the football club," Watson said.

"Over there I decided that I was still passionate about playing and still had the urge to lead and was excited about leading this team and this club.

"In my mind once it was ratified that my teammates felt that I was the right person to do it, I knew I still had the passion for the role."

David Zaharakis has Jobe Watson's support despite being left out of the Dons' leadership group in 2016.

"I think David's made huge bounds in his leadership and I think the players appreciate there's probably a group of 10 or so who could've been in the leadership group," Watson said.

Essendon coach John Worsfold says he wants feedback from the clubs' coaches and players before deciding on the teams' captain.

Jobe Watson has been Essendon captain since 2010 but last season appeared worn down by the on-going supplements saga that has hovered over the Bombers since February 2013.

"Over the next three weeks we definitely need to assess what the group sees as the leadership they're looking for and then we'll work from that to say who fits that the best," Worsfold said.

"We want to know what the playing group believe they want and need from their captain and the leadership group, not just the captain.

"There are a lot of people who've been at this football club and know the guys a lot better than me, so we'll take all that into account."

Following Essendon coach James Hird's resignation as coach of the club, Bombers skipper Jobe Watson says he didn't plead with Hird to reconsider his decision.

"When your senior coach makes that decision then you know in their mind they've made it, and the call's come," Watson said.

"Whether or not you make a plea and say 'No, you should do this', that is beside the point.

"The decision's been made, they've made it and he's made it in what he believes is the best interest in the football club moving forward."

Dyson Heppell says he believes he would be ready to take on the Essendon captaincy next year if skipper Jobe Watson relinquished the role.

Watson, who will miss the rest of the season after having shoulder surgery, has spoken about his disillusionment with football at stages this year as the Essendon supplements saga drags into a third season.

He has also revealed he has considered the option of stepping down as captain, a role he has held since Matthew Lloyd retired at the end of 2009.

Heppell, who this week reaches his 100th game for the club, has been stand-in captain in Watson's absence the past two weeks and feels he would be capable of filling the full-time role next year if required.

"Time will tell. We've got seven games to go this year to see how I fit into the role and I think I'd be able to do it if that was the case. But I think Jobe has plenty left in him and I'd love for him to be skipper for the next couple of years," Heppell said.

Recently departed Essendon coach Mark Thompson would not be surprised if Bombers captain Jobe Watson doesn't play AFL football again.

The two-time Geelong premiership coach said Watson had been so worn down by the two-and-a-half-year supplements saga that he could decide to retire.

"This has whacked him right in the gob and it wouldn't surprise me if he just said, 'Yeah, I've had enough'. It wouldn't surprise me at all," Thompson told radio station 3AW.

"He's been the spokesman for the player group and the length of time (the saga has dragged on for), I think, has just got to him.

"If there's no end, if it just keeps going, I don't think anyone would want to be involved in that."

Jobe Watson should be able to attack the next pre-season from day one after having surgery to repair his injured left shoulder.

"Jobe will spend the next two to three weeks resting," Essendon doctor Bruce Reid told the club's website.

"He should make a full recovery in about 12-16 weeks."

Jobe Watson's father, Tim Watson, says his son may be struggling to overcome the mental burdens of Essendon's well-documented 2012 supplements regime.

"What's happened in the last few years, and you put aside the WADA appeal, this has been ongoing for three years and it has worn a lot of people down," Tim Watson said.

"And I think he's [Jobe] one of those because, in some ways, he's been the face of the football club.

"He's certainly been a leader through that period of time as well which has meant that he's felt the responsibility of the group through that period of time."

Tim Watson also hinted at his son carrying an injury.

"I think he has got some sort of a physical problem at the moment, but I'm not going to make any excuses for him because he didn't play well yesterday at all," he said.

Jobe Watson is ruled out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.

Watson hurt his shoulder in the Bombers' loss to Hawthorn in round 13, and struggled in his 200th game last week, gathering just nine disposals in Essendon's 110-point loss.

"He went into the game with a shoulder injury and aggravated it very early," Essendon club doctor Bruce Reid said.

"That of course seriously affected his form.

"His MRI unfortunately shows that he has an unstable shoulder and has significant damage."

Essendon is set to be without captain Jobe Watson for its important clash with Geelong this week after scans confirmed the midfielder had strained his groin.

"He had a MRI this morning which shows really only a very minor strain," Essendon club doctor Bruce Reid said.

"We'll see how he pulls up later in the week. [In the] worst case scenario he'll miss one (match)."

James Hird praises Jobe Watson's leadership during the club's long-running supplements saga.

"Off the field, his leadership over the last two years has been outstanding," Hird said of Watson.

"Obviously, when you see people deal with hardship, you see what they're really like as leaders.

"He's stood up and, done more than stood up. He's been terrific.

"I think the Essendon Football Club is very fortunate to have a person like Jobe Watson as a captain."

Jobe Watson says he can finally look forward to playing without worrying about the Bombers' supplements saga anymore.

On Tuesday the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal cleared 34 past and present Bombers players of any wrongdoing in relation to the supplements program.

A visibly emotional Watson, who was flanked by former and present Essendon teammates, said the emotional toll had finally been lifted after a tumultuous and exhausting 26 months.

"I don't know what it's going to feel like (running out against the Swans)," Watson said.

"I have not had that feeling since the sixth of February of 2013.

"I've almost forgotten what it's like to be an AFL player without having this hanging over our heads."

David Zaharakis has returned to Essendon's leadership group, in one of three additions to the squad for this season.

The midfielder was left out of last year's group but has been voted back in after working hard during the season to improve his leadership.

All Australian defender Cale Hooker and veteran forward Paul Chapman have been included in the Bombers' group for the first time, joining Zaharakis as the new faces.

Captain Jobe Watson, Brendon Goddard, Brent Stanton, David Myers and Dyson Heppell make up the eight-man team.

"All three players really proved themselves as leaders around the club over the past 12 months, and to be voted in by your peers is a huge show of confidence in their leadership," Watson said.

"'Hooksy', 'Chappy' and 'Zacka' will all bring a unique and versatile skill set to the leadership group; while as a collective, we will continue to drive the standards we expect of our teammates."

Jobe Watson and Dustin Fletcher could be disadvantaged in any anti-doping penalty because they played in the international rules series against Ireland, the Players' Association has conceded.

"I think you have to go back to when that actually happened, and that was right around the time that provisional suspensions were put in place," AFLPA chief executive Paul Marsh said.

"Those two particular players had their provisional suspensions start a week later and that will impact until the end of this."

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has challenged Dustin Martin to emulate Dons skipper Jobe Watson by taking his game to the next level in 2015.

"We think his running capacity has really improved over the course of his pre-seasons he's had with us, and we feel for him to take that next step as a player it's going to be the majority of him playing midfield," Hardwick said.

"He needs to become a contested ball king, a tackle king in that area, much like a Jobe Watson type of player that's capable of setting up the game from the middle of the ground."

Dustin Fletcher and Jobe Watson have been given the green light to play in Saturday's International Rules test, despite awaiting the ruling of Tuesday's directions hearing.

The AFL has confirmed the pair's availability, with Fletcher and Watson to join their Australian teammates in Sydney for a two-day camp, before taking their place against Ireland in the one-off match at Patersons Stadium on Saturday night.

Jobe Watson and Dustin Fletcher could miss this month's International Rules Test if they receive infraction notices before the clash with Ireland.

The Anti-Doping Rule Violation Panel formally put 34 past and present Essendon on its register of findings on Thursday after the bulk of those players decided not to respond to ASADA show-cause notices alleging they used the banned peptide Thymosin beta-4 during the 2012 season.

Essendon captain Jobe Watson says the Bombers' unsuccessful court case against the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority was "inconsequential" to the players facing possible suspensions.

Essendon's challenge to the legality of ASADA's investigation into the club's 2011-12 supplements program was dismissed in the Federal Court last Friday.

The ruling means the show-cause notices issued to 34 past and present players still stand.

"It was disappointing from the club's perspective, but the players were never really party to that at all, it was totally the club's decision to go ahead with that and unfortunately for them it didn't work out," Watson said.

"Nothing's changed from the players' perspective. The court case was inconsequential to the players and their situation."

Against Hawthorn on Saturday night, Geelong midfielder Cameron Guthrie set a statistical record that is unlikely to be chased with much vigour.

With his 33 disposals, Guthrie gained just 24 metres to unwittingly set a new mark for the fewest metres gained by a player registering 30 or more disposals in a game.

While the title might seem unwanted, Brownlow medallist Jobe Watson held it before Guthrie, having gained just 38 metres in a 30-possession game against Collingwood in round 20, 2010.

Jobe Watson could be out for the rest of the season after scans have revealed a rare hip injury.

Watson will undergo surgery to repair a ruptured rectus femoris tendon after injuring his hip in the final quarter of the Bombers' 15-point win over Greater Western Sydney.

"Jobe has suffered a tear to the rectus femoris tendon right where it is attached to the hip bone which is a very uncommon injury," Essendon club doctor Bruce Reid said.

"The sooner you can sew the two ends back together, the better the healing will be, so he will go in for surgery in the next few days.

"We will not rush him through the recovery process, it is important that we do what is right for Jobe both in the short and long term."

Jobe Watson explains his role as part of the AFL's multicultural ambassador program despite not technically coming from a "multicultural" background.

"The more I thought about it the more I wanted to be a part of the program," Watson said.

"How can you expect society to be inclusive if a proportion of society only think multiculturalism is the responsibility of people with multicultural backgrounds?

"To build on being an inclusive game and being accessible to people from all different backgrounds, it's important that someone who doesn't have as diverse a multicultural background as others is interested and is part of the program.

"That's why I'm really happy to be a part of it."

Jobe Watson joins Demon Jimmy Toumpas, Magpie Patrick Karnezis, Giant Stephen Coniglio, and Lin Jong from the Western Bulldogs as new multicultural ambassadors in 2014 to help grow the game alongside existing ambassadors Nic Naitanui, Bachar Houli, Karmichael Hunt, Majak Daw, and Alipate Carlile.

"Since the introduction of the AFL multicultural ambassador program in 2012, we are delighted by the enthusiasm, insight and cultural guidance the ambassadors have provided to communities and the AFL industry," AFL chief Andrew Demetriou said.

"In 2014, we are excited to have Jobe, Jimmy, Patrick, Stephen and Lin as part of this important program and look forward to the 10 ambassadors playing a lead role in encouraging individuals and communities to unite through their passion for Australia's game."

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick asks Tigers fans to refrain from booing Jobe Watson as the fallout from the Essendon supplements scandal intensifies.

"The one thing that I'd ask our supporters in the best interest of the respect and responsibility of our footy club is to refrain from booing Jobe [Watson] and the Essendon players as much as we can," Hardwick said.

"[We] understand they're our opposition, but they also earn our respect. They were put in a situation they didn't want to be in, so let's just bring our best game where we can."

Following the release of ASADA's interim report and the AFL's determination, Jobe Watson says he feels vindicated that players from the club have not been charged with any anti-doping violations.

"As we've said all along, none of us believed we'd done anything wrong in relation to the 2012 supplements program," Watson said.

"We've fully co-operated with every part of the ASADA investigation and we've always said we've got nothing to hide."

AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson says that Jobe Watson is not at risk of losing his Brownlow Medal for now.

"On all the evidence to date, it's been made clear that the AFL's view is there's insufficient evidence to charge individual players with individual offences under the anti-doping code," Anderson said.

Jobe Watson says Dean Robinson is a bitter and broken man after the ex-Essendon fitness coach conducted a tell-all interview with Channel 7 exposing details of the Bombers' drugs and supplements program.

"He looked like someone who had been very affected by what had gone on ... obviously he's not doing well and hasn't been dealing well with it," Watson told radio station Fox FM.

"I think that my reaction was probably that there was his side of the story - it was very, I suppose, limited into a whole picture of what was happening at the club.

"I just thought that it was a little bitter in the way that he was conducting himself."

Essendon coach James Hird praises the efforts of the Bombers' leadership group in skipper Jobe Watson's absence against the Bulldogs.

"Probably three of our best players were Brendon (Goddard), Brent (Stanton) and Dyson Heppell, and also Jason Winderlich," Hird said.

"They're all part of our leadership team and they really stepped up tonight, and Michael Hurley worked really hard in the forward line. I thought our leadership group did a great job in Jobe's absence."

Jobe Watson says he stands by shock admission to being administered the anti-obesity drug AOD-9604.

"I suppose with the interview it's a very sensitive subject at the moment and what's happened has happened and I can't control that anymore," Watson told radio station Fox FM.

"I've said what I've said and I've done what I've done and I'm not going to live retrospectively."

Jobe Watson hopes to return to the side within six weeks after having a plate inserted in his collarbone.

"Being in the middle of his collarbone that is a good spot because you get good purchase with the plates," Essendon club doctor Bruce Reid said.

"If you have got a normal collarbone fracture where they overlap and you don't plate them they can be up to 10 weeks but if you can plate them then you get a pretty good heal and they are right in about four to six."

Jobe Watson expects to miss four weeks after breaking his collarbone during Essendon's win over Port Adelaide. Watson suffered the injury during the first quarter and was subbed out.

"He's a huge loss for us, he was playing pretty well for us before he got hurt," Essendon coach James Hird said.

"He's our captain and spiritual leader and all those things that he brings to our game ... it's a big loss."

Essendon coach James Hird blasts West Coast supporters in Perth for booing Jobe Watson relentlessly during the Bombers' clash against the Eagles at Patersons Stadium.

"It wasn't necessary … I just don't think it was called for," Hird said.

"Jobe tonight, to play the way he did under the pressure he was under was just outstanding.

"I've been talking about him for three days about his outstanding character, and people can talk about him as a character and talk about him as a person but you have got to put that into action."

Essendon coach James Hird does not believe Jobe Watson is at risk of losing his Brownlow medal despite the Bombers skipper admitting to taking a banned substance.

"With the facts I have, I don't believe it's in doubt," Hird said.

"I am never disappointed in Jobe Watson. Jobe Watson is a man of the highest integrity, highest character and a great person for our footy club."

Essendon captain Jobe Watson admits to being injecting with the anti-obesity drug AOD-9604 that has been identified as a banned substance by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA).

"I don't have a feeling of guilt and I don't believe I've done anything wrong," Watson said.

"So all I want is the truth to come out. It's not impacting on me, because ... it's not a cloud having over me. I don't care how long it takes."

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) president John Fahey says Jobe Watson can be held accountable after the Essendon skipper admitted to injecting himself with the banned substance AOD-9604.

"You are responsible for what goes into your system, it's a strict liability," Fahey said.

"Now whether or not there's any mitigating circumstances depends on individual cases, and that's a matter for ASADA who are currently investigating it."

The AFL will not prevent Jobe Watson from playing this week despite the Essendon captain admitting to injecting himself with a banned substance.

"There is no intention to pre-empt the investigation, which is ongoing, and we'll let it take it's course," a League spokesperson said.

Jobe Watson is set to be a Bomber for life after agreeing to a new four-year deal with the club.

"It's the right thing in terms of where I want to be," Watson said on SEN 1116.

"I was happy at the football club. I didn't want to leave and I am happy to stay."

Jobe Watson wins the Yiooken Award as best afield in the Dreamtime at the 'G clash, finishing with 28 possessions and three goals in a 29-point win against Richmond.

Essendon coach James Hird says Watson's game was 'as good a leadership performance' as he has seen.

"He's abnormal to a certain extent with what he's been able to do with his players," Hird said post-match.

"You don't expect that from normal people.

"Right from the first bounce, the way he started the game and the way he led his team when they came back at us, he was the one who drove us forward."

Jobe Watson says high altitude training in Colorado has been beneficial for his mental state of mind.

"It helped being in Colorado, training over there, because I found that a really great stimulus, but I guess it's just the older you get, the more the life outside of footy starts to be more impactful on you," Watson said.

"And then getting back into training and things like that takes a slower process to get into the swing of things.

"After about a month or so you start to get back into the routine and the freedom that you had off the field starts to go back and you get back into a structure."

Reports emerge of Essendon players, including reigning Brownlow medallist Jobe Watson, having been injected with performance enhancing drugs during the off-season of 2012.

Speculation is rife as to the consequences for these players, including the possible stripping of Watson's Brownlow medal, should they be found guilty of doping.

Essendon legend Tim Watson says he would be "absolutely devastated" if his son Jobe was stripped of his Brownlow Medal.

"As a parent, I'd be devastated for him," Watson said.

"I'd be completely and utterly destroyed and that is one of the components of this story too, there are lots of things that are going on that we don't know about.

"I've got no idea where this investigation will go and I don't think anybody does."

Brendan Goddard along with Jason Winderlich and Dyson Heppell, is elevated into the Bomber's leadership group which also includes reigning Brownlow medallist and captain Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton, Heath Hocking, Michael Hurley and David Zaharakis.

Essendon skipper Jobe Watson takes out his third best and fairest with 551 votes, well ahead of runner-up Dyson Heppell with 310 votes.

"Jobe is an outstanding leader of our football club, and I think it's fantastic he has received recognition for his impressive season," Essendon coach James Hird said.

"Jobe's professional attitude towards his preparation meant his body was able to withstand the physical demands of the game and enabled him to perform at a consistent level.

"To win a third Crichton Medal in four years is a great effort, and it just proves the ruthless standards Jobe demands of himself."

Bomber Jobe Watson becomes the club's first Brownlow Medallist since James Hird, winning the honour after polling 30 votes, 4 ahead of both Richmond's Trent Cotchin and Hawthorn's Sam Mitchell.

"For me, I get enjoyment from winning and that's the thing that feeds me," Watson said.

"For the people whose lives I influence, they don't get as much elation from the wins I suppose as I do. For an individual award, they probably receive a little bit more happiness out of that."

Essendon coach James Hird says Watson made the club proud by winning the medal.

I don't think there could be anything better in our season than Jobe winning the Brownlow, right now," Hird said.

"We obviously want to go on and be great as a team, but for our captain to do what he did tonight is incredible and we're so proud of him."

Jobe Watson has been named the best captain by fellow players at the AFLPA awards.

"Jobe is an outstanding leader of the Essendon Football Club, and for his colleagues to not only recognise that but vote him the league's best captain is fantastic to see," Essendon coach James Hird said.

"I believe a leader's character is tested when adversity comes knocking. It's no secret we endured a disappointing end to the season, but Jobe to his credit always led by example."

Sam Lonergan admits too much is being left up to Essendon skipper Jobe Watson on-field.

"What you see of Jobe on game day is what we see of Jobe around the club and off the field," Lonergan said.

"He's a hard-working man, he's dedicated to his football and family and friends and it's great to see the results he's getting this year.

"Everyone at Essendon respects him so highly with the way he goes about every part of his life."

On the eve of his 150th game, Jobe Watson reflects on his journey from the son of a club legend to a standout in his own right.

Early in father-sons' careers they get compared to their fathers a lot, but then after that they create their own identity and I think people really enjoy seeing that," Watson said.

"I know that when I watch Gary Ablett play, I'm really happy for him that he's been able to create such an identity of his own, and that's a common theme among the father-son kids."

Essendon captain Jobe Watson says pre-seasons are too long, and senior players may choose to retire rather than endure training.

"Players finish a season and they think to themselves 'I don't know if I can put myself through another pre-season'. They love playing games and they're still able to contribute," Watson said.

"You don't want guys who are still great players to feel like they mentally can't see themselves get through another pre-season because of the length of them."


Matthew Richardson says Essendon skipper Jobe Watson has become one of the AFL's most complete midfielders.

"Early in Jobe's career he had it a bit out of whack with his rate of possession," Richardson said.

"He was winning most of his football on the inside and there were queries about his run and spread.

"But there's no doubt over the years he has worked really hard on his speed and endurance, and that is now allowing him to get on the outside and win a lot of football."

GWS coach Kevin Sheedy says he would have traded Jobe Watson had he remained at Essendon beyond 2007.

"Well, I mean if someone offered up a very good player for him, yeah I would have traded him, yeah," he said.

"I'm not going to apologise for my negativity towards Jobe early doors, but maybe, just maybe, it was a boil on his bump that annoyed him. His attitude, to his professionalism, has been an enormous turnabout."

Brent Stanton and Jobe Watson - the Bombers' zig and zag - are developing a formidable midfield partnership.

After seven games, both have had 204 disposals at an average of 29 per game and sit comfortably in the top 10 of all players for most disposals.

"We've worked pretty closely together for a fair while now and he's such a fantastic player and fantastic leader as well," Stanton said.

"You try and suck as much information out of him as possible and no doubt you become a much better player for it."

Essendon skipper Jobe Watson proposed a sit-down protest of the new sub rule before the Bombers' clash with the Western Bulldogs.

"I suggested we'd be happy to sit down, so long as the Bulldogs didn't go out and pile on 20 goals," Watson told the Herald Sun.

"It was merely venting all the frustration that the players had about the rule."

Essendon skipper Jobe Watson has capped off a stellar season by claiming his second consecutive Crichton Medal as the club's best and fairest.

"For the club it has been a disappointing season and I think once this night finishes, the 2010 season truly finishes," Watson said after claiming the medal.

"I really believe there is a strong group of players here who have underachieved and as a playing group we really have to look at ourselves in the mirror. I'm really excited and I think we have a group capable of being successful ... we should leave no stone unturned."

Essendon captain Jobe Watson says the players are excited by James Hird's arrival as senior coach.

"It was really exciting for the club. We will all come together on Friday and I'm sure James will spell out to the players right away what the expectations are," Watson said.

"I think the players will be really enthused about it and really excited about the next 12 months and the next four years."

Essendon coach Matthew Knights would have been happy for any of his six leaders to become captain, but has thrown his support behind Jobe Watson.

"We think the way we have done it is great for us and where we are at as a club. We need our players more empowered and to be more like coaches," Knights said.

"You don't get put into these leadership roles unless you have done the hard yards."

The 24-year-old will follow in the footsteps of his father, Tim, by leading Essendon's premiership campaign in 2010.

"He is a quality person and is a player that has had to work hard to achieve what he has in the game," Essendon general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said of Watson.

"He leads by example on and off the field. He has an appetite and desire for success and wants to bring people along with him on the journey. Jobe has an outstanding leadership group behind him and I am confident that, as a group, they will unite the club and provide strong direction."

Jobe Watson says the crossroads of the 2007 season helped him choose the path that would take him to Essendon's captaincy.

"It's one of those times where you really have to assess where you're at and where you want to go in footy," Watson said.

"If you're going to get the best out of yourself, you have to continually be challenged and that was one of those times.

"You either take one path or you take the other."

Jobe Watson confirmed his status as one of the best midfielders in the game by winning his first best and fairest award at Essendon.

Jobe Watson will captain the Bombers in their elimination final against Adelaide after Matthew Lloyd was suspended for four matches.

His father, Essendon great Tim Watson, says he is proud of his son.

"Yes, I am, but no more proud of him because he's captaining the side than I am any other time," he said.

"It's always a big honour to captain your club. It's a great achievement for him, I think."

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson describes himself as a 'passionate peanut' after abusing Bomber players, Jobe Watson in particular, following Hawthorn's loss to Essendon which resulted in injuries to Brad Sewell and Max Bailey.

"That's just the passion of the game. I've come out onto the ground ... I think he was shaping up to come and shake my hand but with the blood boiling it was the last thing I wanted to do," he said.

"If I was going to be accommodative of any Essendon player it would have been Jobe but I didn't even want to speak to him, so it wasn't the way we wanted to finish our season, that's for sure."

Essendon coach Matthew Knights declares that Jobe Watson has "come of age" after a magnificent performance against ladder-leaders St Kilda where the midfielder notched 37 possessions including 15 contested.

"Jobe's really had a big year and a half, couple of years of football. He's come of age as a footballer we believe," Knights said.

"He's got an inner confidence. He believes he's very good and he's going to be very good, but then he's got great humility to be able to work with a Jay Neagle or Angus Monfries in the forward line."

Jobe Watson looks a certain starter for Essendon's clash with Sydney after successfully completing the Bombers' final training session.

"The final decision might not be made until tomorrow morning because it really depends on how he pulls up from training today," Essendon football manager Paul Hamilton said.

"We're hopeful, the signs are good, and we'll wait and see."

Bombers Angus Monfries will miss the next two weeks following scans on his leg which revealed a hamstring strain, but Jobe Watson is expected to return after recovering from an ankle injury.

Star Essendon midfielders Jobe Watson and key position player Adam McPhee could both play on Friday night against Collingwood.

"(Watson)'s recovered pretty well, pretty quickly, so we'll give him a test this morning and we'll weigh it up after that," assistant coach Scott Camporeale said.

"(McPhee)'s got a pretty good record against (Travis) Cloke when we've played previously - he trained fully on Tuesday and he'll have another fitness test today as well, just to make sure he's cherry ripe, ready to go."

Essendon is breathing a sigh of relief after scans on Jobe Watson's ankle have revealed that the star midfielder is likely to miss just two games.

Watson, who is career-best form, injured his ankle early in the second quarter of Essendon's stunning 69-point win against Carlton on Friday night and, after returning to the action briefly, he eventually hobbled off and was unable to take any further part in the game.

"He's got ligament damage and muscle damage around that ankle area. So he's got a couple of little things rather than one big thing, so he's likely to miss two weeks," Essendon's football operations manager Paul Hamilton said.

It has taken a few years, but Bommber midfielder Jobe Watson is flourishing at last.

"Inside our doors, Jobe Watson is held in the highest regard," coach Matthew Knights said of Jobe.

"The best part about Jobe is, he's improving every year. If he keeps on that track he's going to end up a sensational player in this competition.

"There's still plenty of scope for improvement in Jobe Watson, even though he's moving into one of the elite players in the competition now."