Jobe Watson makes surprise return to footy
After weathering the Essendon drugs saga and becoming a dad, fan favourite Jobe Watson has decided to make his way back to footy with a special new role.
Fiona Byrne
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Footy has proved to be a lure too great for Jobe Watson to resist.
Watson, the former Essendon superstar turned property and coffee guru, is venturing back into the game as a commentator with Channel 7.
After impressing as a guest commentator for several matches late last season Seven was eager to sign him this year.
“I just did a couple of games at the end of last year which I found really fun and I have agreed to do a few games this year, mainly the Thursday night games which don’t interrupt my other work,” Watson said.
“I enjoyed doing the commentary and watching the games last year. It (football) is not all my life or everything I do now, but I am really excited about being a part of it.”
Family and business have meant Thursday night was the only option for him.
“With Infolio Property Advisors we are working realistically six days a week and had I agreed to do any Sunday games I think Virginia (his partner) would have kicked me out of the house,” he said.
He said he was not looking to father, Tim Watson, for advice on his new role.
“If he is (offering advice) I am not listening to him. I think he is getting a bit senile as he is approaching 60. I am just ignoring him and letting him focus on his viticultural interests.”
As for family, Jobe’s daughter Juniper with partner Virginia Slaghekke is almost 18 months old.
“She is learning Dutch and English. She already understands more Dutch than I do so I am going to be ostracised from a lot of conversations as I get older,” he said.
Joining Watson as a new addition to the Seven line up is triple Hawthorn premiership skipper, Luke Hodge.
In other changes Brendon Goddard has been signed to a revamped Game Day line-up on Sunday mornings that includes Leigh Matthews and Daisy Pearce, and Abbey Way will host The Kick, the pre-game show that kickstarts Saturday Night Footy.
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