The Roar
The Roar

AFL
Advertisement

Should Jobe Watson be stripped of his Brownlow Medal?

11th January, 2016
Advertisement
The end of the Essendon saga looks to be nearing. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)
11th January, 2016
80
2681 Reads

In the wake of 34 past and present Essendon players being found guilty of being administered a banned substance, 2012 Brownlow Medalist Jobe Watson now faces the risk of being stripped of his award.

Watson, who claimed the AFL’s highest individual honour in 2012 with 30 votes, on Tuesday became one of 17 current AFL players from Essendon (12), Port Adelaide (2), Melbourne (1), St Kilda (1), and the Western Bulldogs (1) to be banned for the 2016 AFL season.

More:
» Essendon players found guilty, will miss 2016 season
» Essendon doping saga: Full list of players to miss 2016 AFL season
» Potential top-up Bombers: Could Kelly, Stokes or Lake return?
» Essendon players guilty: Social media reaction

As the period during which the administration of the banned substance occurred coincided with Watson’s stellar 2012 season, the question must now be addressed as to whether Watson should keep or be stripped of the medal.

If stripped, Watson would become the first Brownlow Medalist in history to lose the award, in which case Richmond’s Trent Cotchin and Hawthorn’s Sam Mitchell, who tied for second place on 26 votes, may be in line to receive retrospective medals.

The Court for Administration of Sport does have the power to strip Watson of his medal but at this stage have given no indication as to whether or not they will elect to do so.

The support for Watson to keep the medal in the lead up to the decision was strong with Essendon chairman Lindsay Tanner stating:

“Whatever the outcome of the CAS process, I don’t believe it should cast any doubt over Jobe Watson’s Brownlow Medal.

Advertisement

“In my view, the responsibility for all of these issues lies with the club, not the individual players.”

However there are many who would argue that regardless of whether or not Watson himself was at fault, he was still benefiting from prohibited substances and it would be unfair for him to retain the award given that fact.

What do you think Roarers, does Watson deserve to remain a Brownlow Medalist?

close