AFL
  1. Home
  2. AFL
  3. News

Jobe Watson wants to play at Essendon in 2017, says John Worsfold

Daniel Cherny

Essendon coach John Worsfold thinks banned captain Jobe Watson wants to play at the Bombers in 2017.

While nine of the 12 Dons suspended by the Court of Arbitration for Sport for the duration of this season have re-committed to the club for next year, the Brownlow medallist's signature remains elusive.

Up Next

Replay

Replay Video Icon
Player help icon

More Sport Videos

More videos

West Coast ambush Adelaide

West Coast have stunned Adelaide to ignite the final round of the AFL season, beating the hosts 100 to 71 to secure a home final.

Watson, who turns 32 in February, has spent time this year as a barista in New York as he ponders the prospect of playing on at the club the drafted him as a father-son selection in 2002.

Watson - whose 2012 Brownlow remains in jeopardy pending the result of a Swiss court appeal against January's CAS decision - is yet to tell the Dons of his intentions for next year.

Essendon is in "constant dialogue" with Jobe Watson.
Essendon is in "constant dialogue" with Jobe Watson. Photo: Getty Images

But speaking the day after Essendon notched their third and final win of the season by beating Carlton, Worsfold said he thought Watson wanted to play again for the club.

"Jobe's been in touch pretty regularly. He sent a message through last night about the win," Worsfold told Channel Nine's Sunday Footy Show on Sunday.

Advertisement

He reiterated that Watson should not play next season unless he was fully committed to the cause, but suggested that the bullocking midfielder was leaning towards a comeback.

"He has to be absolutely clear, and sometimes you don't know when that moment's going to be when you say 'nah, I'm in'.

"My guess is he wants to play on next year but he has to make absolutely sure that's what's in his heart. And we'll give him the time that he needs. But yeah, I'd love him to come back and play at Essendon because I've got no doubt he'll really enjoy playing with the group we've got for next year and maybe the year after."

Michael Hurley, Ben Howlett, Travis Colyer, David Myers, Cale Hooker, Dyson Heppell, Brent Stanton, Heath Hocking and Tom Bellchambers have all decided to return to the Bombers next year. Michael Hibberd recently informed the club he would be seeking to resume his career elsewhere, while Tayte Pears is another who won't be back -  set to move into life as a fireman.

The banned players are awaiting the outcome of their appeal against the CAS verdict and Essendon chief executive Xavier Campbell said last month the Bombers expected one by October at the latest.

Should the appeal be unsuccessful, the AFL Commission would need to determine whether Watson should be allowed to keep the Brownlow he won during the season in which the Bombers operated their disastrous supplements program.

0 comments