Essendon coach John Worsfold says he has warned Jobe Watson not to return to the Bombers next year unless the suspended Dons captain can give his "full heart and soul" to the game.
Watson will be 32 by the start of next season, and is yet to decide whether he will play in 2017 after missing the entire 2016 campaign as one of the 34 current and former Bombers banned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in January.
Worsfold spoke to Watson before the 2012 Brownlow medallist headed overseas recently.
The premiership coach said his message to Watson was blunt.
"In the end I left it with him, saying 'Jobe, it's your life'," Worsfold told Channel Nine on Monday night.
"'If you want to come back and play we would love to have you there'."
"'But you've got to really want it it. It's too hard, the game challenges you in too many ways to not have your full heart and soul in it.'"
Worsfold said he wasn't sure if Watson would join the five banned Bombers who have recommitted to the club.
"I think he wants a bit more time before he says yes or no," the coach said.
"I think he wants to not think about that decision, really enjoy a bit of a break, especially while he's overseas. He's been training as well as anyone from all accounts, he's in great shape, so if his decision is that he wants to play again, he'll be up and ready to go by the pre-season."
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