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Shoulder surgery ends Watson's year

The AFL's issues with ASADA just keep on going. (Photo: Will Russell)
Expert
7th July, 2015
17

Essendon’s fortunes have taken another bad turn with captain Jobe Watson ruled out for the rest of the 2015 season.

The Essendon skipper and 2012 Brownlow Medallist is set to undergo shoulder surgery after gathering just eight disposals in his 200th game on Sunday.

The Bombers went down to St Kilda by 110 points in one of their worst performances in years, throwing the spotlight on Watson and embattled coach James Hird.

Watson has clearly been well below his best in the past few weeks, struggling to have his usual impact on the field.

He was carrying a shoulder complaint going into the game and aggravated it during the match.

“He went into the game with a shoulder injury and aggravated it very early,” 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.”

Watson was understandably disappointed with the news. “It’s disappointing any time, especially given the season isn’t going the way we would have hoped.”

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“When you can’t be out there to help rectify it, it’s disappointing.”

His absence from the team will be a significant blow to the club both in terms of its already struggling midfield and its lack of on-field leadership.

“Jobe’s our Captain and one of the best players in the competition, so to lose him for the rest of the year is very disappointing for the team but more so for Jobe,” said coach James Hird.

“He certainly wanted to come back and play some good football but unfortunately that won’t happen this year.”

With captain Watson and vice-captain Heath Hocking now both on the sidelines with injury, there’s a good chance that youngster Dyson Heppell may get his chance to captain the club, albeit temporarily.

The young midfielder won the AFL’s Rising Star Award in 2011 and has been a member of Essendon’s leadership group since 2013.

He was one of Essendon’s few good performers last week with 32 disposals and 2 goal, and is widely tipped to be Essendon’s next captain when Watson’s tenure ends.

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Brendon Goddard and Brent Stanton, who have both captained the side in Watson’s absence before, may also be considered for the interim captain role.

The injury is likely to throw yet more heat on to James Hird’s position as senior coach at Essendon as pressure mounts following the Bombers’ disastorous loss.

The club this week said they will stand behind Hird, but that stance may change if the big losses continue to pile up.

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