Bombertalk

Jobe Watson joined Essendon’s elite this morning after being named 2010 captain.

The 24-year-old – who was drafted with pick No.40 in the 2002 National Draft (father/son rule) - was revealed as the 38th club captain when he led the playing group onto Windy Hill oval in front of around 2,000 fans.

Andrew Welsh has been appointed vice-captain.

General manager of football operations, Paul Hamilton said Watson was a leader on-field, and won the 2009 Crichton Medal for best player, but also set high standards off field. He said while there were a number of strong candidates for the position, Watson – who has now played seven seasons and 94 games – had emerged as the right choice.

“He is a quality person and is a player that has had to work hard to achieve what he has in the game,” Hamilton said.

“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.”

Watson’s appointment creates history as the first father/son combination to captain the Bombers - his father Tim captained the club in 1989, 1990 and 1991.

The 190cm, 91 kg Watson joins an illustrious list of Essendon captains including Dick Reynolds, Jack Clarke, Bill Hutchison, James Hird and Matthew Lloyd.

Hamilton said the final decision on the captain and vice-captain was left to the six-man leadership group.

“During the Coffs Harbour camp we had a final meeting which included the leadership group, a five-man committee that included Matthew Knights as coach and Gary O’Donnell as a past captain and a separate facilitator,” he said.

“We had a two-hour open and frank discussion about the criteria of a captain and everyone gave their opinions. The committee then left the final decision to the leadership group who came up with who they thought was the right captain and vice-captain to lead this exciting young playing group into a new successful era.

“It was a rigorous process and one that showed the depth of leadership we have at the club. The leadership group walked out of the meeting united that, together, they will strive to improve the team and club. There was a really strong understanding that leadership is not about one person but is about having a group of leaders.

“We want to empower the playing group to really lead and take control of the big decisions that need to be made so this was an important process for Essendon to go through.”

Gimps wrote:Personally, I'm not a big fan of this decision.

I think Jobe has worked his ar$e off to get where he is with his own game. Becoming captain may be a distraction, and could have a huge effect on him personally.

Windy_Hill wrote:

Gimps wrote:Personally, I'm not a big fan of this decision.

I think Jobe has worked his ar$e off to get where he is with his own game. Becoming captain may be a distraction, and could have a huge effect on him personally.

gringo wrote:No surprises there. Could go either way but it was the decision that had to be made.

McVeigh is a peanut on and off the field.

Welsh could well struggle to get a game next year.

Hille is coming back from injury and didn't do much when he was filling in.

Fletcher gone in the next year or two.

Stanton isn't good enough nor does he demonstrate traits that are commonly associated with being a leader.

I think Watson will go alright but he's going to be faced with the difficult task of dealing with unrealstic expectations of Essendon fans, some parts of the media and potentially the Essendon board for a team that is developing a decent list. That's going to be the biggest hurdle he faces I reckon.

swoodley wrote:Played for the same club - check
Captained the team - check
Won 3 flags - watch this space

rockhole wrote:Hey, Gossy. how did you know at 9:20 when, at the ground, we did not know until 10:15.??