Retired # 4: Jobe Watson - Retiring end of 2017 - farewell to a champion

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Tassieboy

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If he wasn't Jobe Watson his performances after round 5 have been so bad he should be no where near an AFL team. Worst period of football I've seen from a great player in my 10-15 years.
 

Pweter

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He looks like a shell of himself in his post match presser. He's always been so confident, so buoyant, so strong in his presence. In the presser he just looked tired, both in his body language and his expression.
 

bombreys

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If I'm in the center square before a bounce and have Howlett & Melksham on either side of me whilst a 190cm Ambrose is about to go up in the ruck, I'd be throwing in the towel too.
 

Jobe Watson

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ManWithNoName said:
Because he doesn't look physically impeded in anyway? He did after ANZAC Day for a few weeks, but he looks fine now.

Besides, if you cross the white line you're fair game. Everyone knows that.
There's no reason why an elite midfielder would spend 50%+ of his gametime the last month and a bit playing forward unless he was injury affected. From what I remember he started up forward in every quarter on the weekend - considering how poor our midfield has been this season, that shouldn't be happening. One solitary 20+ possession game in the last month. I posted on here ages ago that I thought he was playing hurt; I can't remember exactly what game I first noticed it - it might have even been as far back as St.Kilda - but my non-Essendon supporting buddy even noticed how slow and lethargic he looked on field. He hasn't been himself this season bar Rounds 1, 2 & 3.

Not making excuses for him because I've said in the past that if you're on the field you're assumed fit and ready to go, but I think we need to cut him a bit of slack.

Everyone is entitled to a bad game or two but there is no possible way that a fully fit post-2008 Jobe Watson would record a measly 9 possessions in 88% gametime... in his 200th game no less. That's just not right. He's either severely hampered by some sort of injury or in the complete wrong head-space at the moment... either way he shouldn't be playing football.
 
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Admiral Motti

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The way the club is going season it will be this:

"The club is pleased to announce that big Tom Bellchamber's foot has made a remarkable recovery. As such he is back on the senior list, with Shaun McKernan back to the rookie list"
 

SydneyBomber

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Depression-related shoulder by any chance?...?

All the very best jobe, put the feet up and we look forward to seeing you back for a clean start (no more wada shit) for all in 2016.
 

Mercurial89

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I mean, we knew he was carrying something.
This team for the past 3 years. Gets a good break to concentrate on himself and come back refreshed for next year.

An injury is never a "good thing" but this one might have come at the right time for his mental health
 

Charliebrow 16

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This team for the past 3 years. Gets a good break to concentrate on himself and come back refreshed for next year.

An injury is never a "good thing" but this one might have come at the right time for his mental health
Absolutely. Like you said, injuries are never a good thing but this does present an opportunity for the likes of Kav to spend more time in the actual centre of the ground and around stoppages. Aylett is another option, because now we can promote him.

Myers will come back in a couple of weeks, but this makes Heppell's job all the more tougher. Poor bloke, he's the only one capable of winning his own ball at the moment.
 
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