The AFL Commission will meet on Tuesday night to debate one of the final acts of the Essendon supplements saga.
Jobe Watson relieved the Commission of the onerous task of stripping him of the 2012 Brownlow Medal when he announced he’d hand it back.
“I guess it’ll be something that eventually I’ll move on from, but at the moment it hurts a bit,” Watson told reporters on Monday.
The 31-year-old was one of the 34 past and present players who were banned for the 2016 season for anti-doping code violations arising from the club’s ill-fated 2012 supplements program.
He won the Brownlow ahead of Richmond’s Trent Cotchin and Sam Mitchell – then with Hawthorn – who were tied for second.
Watson gave his medal back and the Commission has to decide whether to leave the 2012 Brownlow winner blank or with an asterisk in record books or strike two new medals to give to Cotchin and Mitchell.
The Commission is believed to be split on which course of action to take.
Cotchin is on record as saying that he would accept the AFL’s highest individual honour in the case of Watson’s disqualification, while Mitchell hasn’t made his thoughts on the issue public.
Both were invited to make submissions to the Commission to establish a case for being awarded medals but they both declined, as did Watson, who said on Monday he didn’t have an opinion on whether the pair should receive the honour.
The 34 banned players have steadfastly maintained their innocence and Watson has been at pains to make it clear his decision had not been an admission of guilt.
The Bombers released a statement soon after Watson’s announcement, taking full responsibility for the situation and offering him an unreserved apology.
Port Adelaide forward Angus Monfries told reporters he felt for his former teammate after he was allowed to speak to the media for the first time since he was suspended in January.
“As a friend of Jobe’s, I’m shattered for him. It’s not a nice situation for him to be put in,” Monfries said.
“I’m not sure (if it’s the right call). Just shattered for a friend that he’s had to be put in that situation.”
Pumping Dougie
Guest
Yeah I'm not suggesting they should actually sue. But it would be funny if they did, given how litigious Essendon and Hird have been. I wouldn't blame them if they did, because they have undoubtedly been denied commercial gains.
Penster
Guest
Sam Mitchell has won 3 premiership medallions since that Brownlow was awarded, his life hasn't suffered any lack of enjoyment, but the lad from Richmond ........ In any event, compensation wouldn't be payable as the investigation ran it's course in accordance with process. Filed under 5h!t happens, move on.
David C
Guest
100% in agreement.
Milo
Roar Rookie
Keep it simple. The CBTrophy is awarded each year to the fairest and best as seen by the umpires. Watson was adjudged to be doping (irrespective of deliberately or not) therefore the medal needs to go to the next best.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Easy decision. Watson has been found guilty of being a drug cheat by the highest sporting court in the world, so the legitimate Brownlow winners (Mitchell and Cotchin) should be awarded the medal retrospectively. They should also in fairness be compensated by Watson and the Essendon FC for four years of missed commercial opportunities and endorsements, and for loss of enjoyment of their lives. They are no different to the poor Aussie Olympic walker, Jared Tallent - it sucks to be the legitimate winner but be denied your moment of glory and receive the medal four years later in some apologetic, embarrassed ceremony. Grow some balls AFL; get on with it and make an easy decision!
Penster
Roar Guru
What a farce if the AFL decrees 2012 a non-Brownlow year because the boofheads running Essendon decided a doping program was a good idea. Cotchin and Mitchell won that medal fair and square.
Casper
Guest
Maybe my eyes are deceiving me but doesn't Monfries say that he is shattered for him? Or does he mention the word 'tragic' somewhere else?
Birdman
Guest
Disagree with Angus Monfries - nothing tragic about Watson is going through - what Jarryd Roughead is going through is tragic. No comparison IMHO.