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.
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.”
“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.
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.
Aransan
Guest
Johnny, you are talking nonsense. Watson has just had an operation on that shoulder. Obviously they were hoping that he could carry a minor injury suffered against Hawthorn through the season but the injury was made worse in the game against St. Kilda when the shoulder became unstable. I think you will find Watson in the coaches box for the remainder of the season where he will learn and be able to contribute to the analysis.
Johnny
Guest
Unintended consequences......interesting outcome of a 200th game and 110 pt loss. No shoulder strapping and absolutely no previous reports of injury by club or Tim Watson. I find it difficult to believe anything the EFC put out into the media these days. Obviously Jobe would prefer to be anywhere but wearing the sash. But he is contracted and Doc Reid is a kind man to the playing group. But excuse me if I don't believe the extent of the injury..... a scrape of the shoulder at the most, but a good enough reason for Jobe to stay out of the spotlight and have a bex and a good lie down.
Aransan
Guest
It is actually called hard work, but some people will always go for the conspiracy.
AR
Guest
Good luck to Job in his recovery. I doubt many footballers have had a more torrid 2 years than this man.
Knoxy
Guest
I wasn't referring to his shoulder injury Don. I was referring to a little incident in 2012 involving the club injecting the players under its duty of care with god knows what, not keeping ANY records, which in turn led to the ASADA investigation which has dogged the players careers for three seasons. But apart from all that no need to feel ashamed.
Anthony Maguire
Guest
He's beyond redemption this bloke. You can't argue with an idiot Don, he'll drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
Anthony Maguire
Guest
Wow. There's no saving you Gene. That's possibly the most ridiculous comment I've seen in the last three years. That takes some effort. Congratulations.
Don Freo
Guest
My goodness. What a life you must live!!!
WhereIsGene
Guest
Jobe was a slow plodder before 2012. Then in 2012 he was a lean, musclebound unstoppable Brownlow juggernaught. Since then he's gradually reverted back to being an overweight plodder once again. What could have possibly spawned such a remarkable transformation in his playing ability & body shape? Golly its a mystery!
WhereIsGene
Guest
Despite Essendon claiming he did the shoulder against Hawthorn, yet Jobe lined up against St.Kilda with zero shoulder strapping? Yeah. Right. Yet another in a very long line of "disputable" truths to have emerged from Tullamarine since Demetriou's hasty phone call to Evans.
Don Freo
Guest
It's a sore shoulder. There have been many players that have had sore shoulders. No need to feel ashamed. The school of Hard Knox, Knoxy?
Knoxy
Guest
I feel bad for Watson. He seems like a genuinely nice guy and has been a terrific player over the years. It's a shame that the drugs saga has overshadowed what should've been the best years of his career. Shame on you Essendon FC.
Ant
Guest
What else would it be? Don't be foolish.
WhereIsGene
Guest
"Shoulder surgery"
Ryan Buckland
Expert
Toot toot...
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Saw the headline without the pic and immediately thought it was about Shane. Can't remember the last time I was so disappointed….
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Paul Little picks up the phone, Bruce Reid tells him Jobe will miss the rest of the season. Paul Little rises from his desk, goes to his filing cabinet and goes to R for resignation form. It has fortunately been partially completed due to the previous time he felt like Essendon were too big a mess.