Watson the right man to lead Bombers forward

Essendon's Adam McPhee leaves the field after the AFL Round 21 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Essendon Bombers at Subiaco. Slattery Images

Comparisons between Jobe Watson and his father, Tim, are inevitable. And they are likely to continue after the Jobe followed his famous father and was named as Essendon’s new captain on Monday.
 
The Bombers always communicated the message that their captaincy race was wide-open.
 
Watson, though, was always the front-runner. His work-rate is first-class and his attack on the ball cannot be questioned.
 
He is only 25 – it is an appointment for the future. He also won the club’s best-and-fairest award in 2009 – a just reward for his consistency.
 
Watson’s kicking may still need work, but tell me a player in the competition who, in all areas, is flawless?
 
Yes, Gary Ablett Jr comes to mind immediately, but even the Geelong champion produces a clanger or two.
 
Watson will have the immediate respect of his teammates – perhaps the most vital requirement.
 
That is in no way a criticism towards those unsuccessful candidates, but Watson is the man to lead Essendon into a new era.
 
Tony Shaw, a former Collingwood captain, once said that a player with great ability but no work-rate was never going to make it.
 
Watson has built his reputation on his will to work.
 
He has rebounded from the early days where, by all reports, he was not rated former Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy.
 
It would have been easy for Watson to take his chances in the draft.
 
But he, obviously, took the advice in his stride, accepted the criticism and moulded himself into a better footballer.
 
Sheedy is now gone, and Watson is more-than established.
 
Today, he is tagged heavily in most games because of his ability to find the ball consistently.
 
He is not an elite kick, as mentioned, but he has improved in this area.
 
Following James Hird and Matthew Lloyd – Essendon’s past two captains – will not be an easy task.
 
But, if the past is anything to go by, Watson will handle it like an experienced campaigner.
 
It also sends a message to this year’s crop of draftees: the hard work is not finished when you are drafted.
 
It is easy to throw in the towel and think you are good enough already.
 
But those who strive for that extra inch are the players who perform when it matters.
 
Watson is now regarded as one of Essendon’s best players.
 
The challenge for him now is to become a great leader.
 
If his attitude on the field is anything to go by, he will have no trouble inspiring his teammates to follow his lead.
 
The likes of Nathan Buckley and Michael Voss set an example, and a standard, for their teammates to follow.

They may have been as skilful as any player in their time, but their ability to push others due to their on-field deeds is something which is often overlooked.

Can Watson do the same? We will find out in 2010.

Don’t expect Tim to make any comments about his son, though. He will be sitting quietly in the background, enjoying a cup of coffee.