Essendon great Tim Watson says his son Jobe is not concerned about the possibility of losing his Brownlow Medal as part of the Essendon doping scandal.
The Bombers are in damage control after they confirmed they are being investigated by the AFL and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency (ASADA) over the possible use of banned substances by their players.
It is unknown what sanctions, if any, the club will face, but ASADA have warned the repercussions could be "extremely serious".
Speaking exclusively to 7 News, club legend Watson says he was shocked when the news broke.
“I was like most people yesterday ... I was alarmed and shocked to read and hear drugs and Essendon football club mentioned in the same breath," he said.
"I was completely shocked and taken aback by that yesterday."
The former Bombers star said he spoke to his son at length about the scandal.
Watson said his concerns that his son could be stripped of his 2012 Brownlow Medal have been allayed.
"(Losing the Brownlow) would be devastating but (Jobe's) not concerned about that, and because he’s not concerned about that, I’m not concerned about that either," Watson said.
"I have spoken to Jobe and I was concerned, but I had a good convo with him this morning.
“It was the first time I’d spoken to him about it since the story broke yesterday. I have got an acute understanding now of what’s taken place."
Watson Jnr took home the game's highest individual honour last year despite his side finishing in 11th place.
The Bombers great said that the players were ultimately responsible for what they took during any fitness regime.
“Every player has to be responsible for what they put in their mouths and I think they are well versed in that as well at an AFL level," Watson said.
"Having been in that situation myself, you put a lot of trust in other people above where you are too.
"You have to share that responsibility, but ultimately, if anyone has done anything untoward and outside the rules, then they will then be punished accordingly and individually."
He also said there had been an element of the players and fans being let down by the club and he queried the checks that were in place when new people were brought in.
"Football clubs have got to responsible for who they employ and the right checks need to be conducted. Then they have to have the right supervision," he said.
"When the dust settles on this and we know all that has been investigated and what comes out of the investigation, I’m sure there’s going to be a really in depth and critical internal investigation of the Essendon football club too."
19 Comments
Backroom deals/secret player payments/upfront club admissions, all pale into insignificance when confronted with clubs who condone drug use! If the AFL hierarchy do not give the Essendon footy club the most harsh sentence ever imposed on a "professional" club, then there will be lingering and serious doubts in the minds of the footy-loving public about how this sport is managed. Andrew Demetriou has always maintained a "no tolerance" policy about drug use, now let's see if he puts his money where is mouth is!!!
ReplyGet over yourself Tim. You are talking about an umpires medal, this is not a life and death situation. Throw the book at the bombers and the playing dumb coaching staff. I thought hire was respected and had an open door policy down at windy hill. GO TIGERS!!!!
Replyhey jones you idiot, england's test team is made up of south african, they are always running to south africa for players because england cannot win with home grown players, they have been cheating like this for decades.
ReplyIs anybody surprised??? This is a long time coming these players have been juicing for years is evvident by how quickly they get over injuries and the physique changes some of these guys get within 6-12 months.
Replyand look what happened to ben johnson he ended up playing for collingwood further investigation needed me thinks
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