Watson named Bombers' best

Updated October 04, 2012 12:30:27

Essendon captain Jobe Watson added another honour to his 2012 tally after winning the Bomber's best-and-fairest award

Watson, who last month was awarded the Brownlow Medal, claimed his third Crichton Medal in four seasons, polling 551 votes to finish well ahead of team-mate Dyson Heppell (310).

"It has been a surreal couple of weeks and I'm truly honoured to be named the 2012 Crichton medallist," Watson said in a statement.

"I love playing for the Essendon Football Club and while individual accolades are great, we play football to achieve success as a team, and that's something I know this group has their sights set on."

Bombers coach James Hird says Watson was a deserved winner.

"To win a third Crichton Medal in four years is a great effort, and it just proves the ruthless standards Jobe demands of himself," he said.

Evergreen two-time premiership player Dustin Fletcher finished third in the Crichton Medal count with 256 votes.

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, essendon-3040

First posted October 04, 2012 12:30:27

View the original article here

Ryder, Watson help Bombers down Swans

Updated March 09, 2012 22:08:55

Ruckman Paddy Ryder and returning skipper Jobe Watson played starring roles to deliver Essendon its first win of the AFL preseason at Docklands on Friday night.

The Bombers hung on to beat Sydney 1.14.12 (105) to 1.14.10 (103), after at one stage looking set to be over-run by the surging Swans.

Sydney trailed by 30 points early in the third quarter, but booted eight of the next nine goals to storm to an 11-point lead early in the last.

Essendon responded, with Ryder (four goals) kicking two majors either side of setting Watson up for his second goal of the night, which put the home side back in front.

The captain's crucial goal, kicked while he was fighting off cramp, capped a fine game, Watson's first for the year, as he gathered 27 disposals and 10 clearances.

Perhaps even more heartening for Bombers fans was an impressive showing from speedy running defender Courtenay Dempsey, who missed most of last season with a knee injury, but was particularly good early.

Fellow knee injury victim Jason Winderlich came on in the third term to play his first half for the year.

Veteran Dustin Fletcher, key forward Michael Hurley, Dyson Heppell and Brent Stanton also played their first matches this preseason, the Bombers having failed to make it to Wangaratta for last weekend's scheduled clash with St Kilda.

Bombers coach James Hird said his men allowed the Swans back in because they tired, which might have been an affect of missing last weekend's game.

"It probably had something to do with it. That was for at least half our team their first proper hit-out," he said.

He said Dempsey had returned from his injury a more mature player and likewise Ryder was maturing.

"He's decided 'This is my time and I'm going to take it on,' he's another one that has matured greatly," Hird said.

There were also some good signs for Sydney, which fought hard to keep the match a contest after being outplayed early.

Young key forward Sam Reid showed the marking class which turned him into a star last year, to boot four goals.

Young midfielder Luke Parker was also impressive, with 21 touches and two goals, while speedsters Lewis Jetta and Gary Rohan (two goals) showed some exciting glimpses.

Dual Brownlow Medallist Adam Goodes was typically classy, kicking a nine-point goal late in the first term to keep his side in touch and a six-point snap late in the third quarter to again keep the game close.

Rhyce Shaw was also good for the visitors, with his run from defence.

Swans coach John Longmire said Sydney's performance was patchy.

But he expected more from a full-strength team next weekend, ahead of Sydney's season-opener against crosstown rival Greater Western Sydney on March 24.

Ben McGlynn, Ted Richards, Martin Mattner, Daniel Hannebery and Ryan O'Keefe should all return.

"That's what we're looking forward to next week, even though we were pretty close tonight, we were still missing five out of our starting 18, I guess," Longmire said.

Kieren Jack received a knock to the shin on Friday night, but Longmire said he was not badly hurt.

Essendon: 1.14.12 (105) - Nine-pointers: J Melksham. Goals: P Ryder 4, J Watson 2, M Hurley 2, S Crameri 2, T Colyer 2, H Hocking, J Melksham.

Sydney: 1.14.10 (103) - Nine-pointers: A Goodes. Goals: S Reid 4, G Rohan 2, H Cunningham 2, L Parker 2, A Everitt, A Goodes, L Jetta, M Seaby.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, sydney-2000, essendon-3040, nsw, australia

First posted March 09, 2012 21:30:32

View the original article here

Interview: Jobe Watson

Published:Sunday, June 12, 2011 7:56 AESTExpires:Saturday, September 10, 2011 7:56 AEST

Bombers skipper Jobe Watson admitted to Corbin Middlemas and the Grandstand team that Essendon was very ordinary in the first quarter in going down by 34 points to the Dockers in Perth.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league

View the original article here

Bombers hold back Watson, Hurley

Published:Thursday, June 2, 2011 7:24 AESTExpires:Wednesday, August 31, 2011 7:24 AEST

Essendon will be without Jobe Watson and Michael Hurley after they failed fitness tests while Melbourne will welcome the return of Jack Trengove to the AFL.

View Transcript

Tags: australian-football-league, vic, melbourne-3000

View the original article here

Watson close but unlikely for Bombers

Updated June 2, 2011 11:24:00

Essendon coach James Hird says captain Jobe Watson will probably be named for Friday night's AFL clash with Melbourne but he is unlikely to play.

The midfielder missed the Bombers' last match against Richmond with a hamstring injury.

Hird said on Thursday Watson was on the verge of being ready to return but might just miss out.

"He's probably unlikely to play, but if he gets through training today well and doesn't pull up with any soreness, then he will play," he said.

"We'll probably select him and see how we go.

"Twenty days after a hamstring is a little bit of a risk, but it's a very important game for us and obviously Melbourne's midfield have got good strength there, so we need someone strong around the ball to compete with them."

He said key forward Michael Hurley, who has been out with a foot injury, was similarly placed.

"If it was a Sunday game they'd definitely play, it's a Friday game, they're a bit touch and go," Hird said.

The Bombers coach said his club would expect a physical approach from the Demons, who were accused by Carlton players of playing "bruise-free football" in last Friday night's loss to the Blues.

But Hird dodged a question on whether he believed that assessment of Melbourne's performance was justified.

"Our opinion on how we play is what we're here to talk about, Carlton and Melbourne I'm sure will sort that out," he said.

- AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, vic, essendon-3040

First posted June 2, 2011 11:15:00

View the original article here

Watson and Bombers kicking on

Updated April 11, 2011 22:13:00

If Essendon skipper Jobe Watson had 33 touches in an AFL game before this season, chances are it would have been 24 handballs and nine kicks.

On Sunday, it was 24 kicks and nine handballs.

It tells you much about the changes in both Essendon's and Watson's games under James Hird's coaching.

Watson has long been a terrific midfielder - one of the competition's elite around the stoppages.

But there have been knocks - on his kicking and especially on his disposal.

Like everyone at Windy Hill, Watson has been encouraged to kick more.

It is working for the 26-year-old and his club. Both have taken their games - and in Watson's case his leadership in his second year in the role - to a new level.

"He's come a long way. He's a great captain, great leader and also just a great person," midfielder Ben Howlett said.

"The last two seasons have shown he's a great player and he's even stepped up again."

Watson is also not only hitting targets with his kicks, he's booting goals.

Three in the 52-point weekend thumping of St Kilda, which franked the Bombers' finals credentials.

In eight previous seasons, Watson kicked just 44 goals.

He has six this season already, and probably just as many Brownlow Medal votes from his opening three matches.

Adding strings to Watson's bow involves more players doing the heavy lifting the skipper has done in poor Essendon sides in recent seasons.

Second-year player Howlett, midfielder Heath Hocking and forward Leroy Jetta are tackling the house down - another change under Hird.

Howlett admits the emphasis on defence is helping the team, especially in ensuring an even contribution.

"Obviously we're enjoying kicking the ball a lot more," Howlett said.

"All 22 players are putting in their bit.

"We've worked on the defensive side of our game. All our players are chipping in to do the one-percenters and it leads to attacking football."

So far this season the Bombers have beaten two of last season's top four by 50-plus points.

But Hird has marked Saturday's clash with Carlton as vital to confirm their growing stature.

"The reality is Essendon beat the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda pretty early on last year as well," Hird said.

"Unless we (perform against Carlton), we'll always be seen as a club who has really good highs and pretty big lows as well."

- AAP

First posted April 11, 2011 21:28:00

View the original article here