Jobe Watson now the family jewel after winning 2012 Brownlow Medal
The son of a gun has become a legend.
The son of a gun has become a legend.
Essendon's Jobe Watson last night won the most decorated award in football, the Brownlow Medal, and in doing so achieved something which his famous father could not.
Tim Watson was a 1980s great. He was a multiple best-and-fairest winner, a three-time premiership player and player of extraordinary talent and burst.
One on hand, this isn't about comparing careers.
On the other, Jobe has been compared to his famous father since the Bombers announced he would a father-son selection in 2002 and handed him the No.4 jumper, so the obvious questions came last night.
This isn't an exercise in one-upmanship. Instead, it's recognition for a footballer who was considered too fat, too slow, a poor kick and who would've been traded to another club in 2007 if coach Kevin Sheedy had remained at the club.
Sheedy was in the audience last night.
Footy folk know of their frosty relationship, but this was not the occasion for backhanders.
Watson spoke of Sheedy as a person who "drove me to become a better player".
He is class on and off the field.
Watson's journey is a family journey.
With a smile that resembles his dad's and drawl that is always his dad's, Jobe rarely has a conversation without his father being a topic.
Jobe's mum Susie last night was beaming as her son spoke of the honour of playing for Essendon and the journey that got him there.
Club by club Brownlow votes
Dad was less exuberant, admitting fierce nerves gripped him which forced him to try to soothe the soul by going for a couple of walks.
Later, he he spoke of the heart-to-heart he had with his son in 2005.
Dad told him he had "pull his finger out" and Jobe lost 8kg at the end of 2005.
Still, by the end of '07, Sheedy wanted him out.
They call them sliding doors moments and Sheedy's sacking was exactly that.
Watson found salvation in himself and new coach Matthew Knights.
History tells us Watson would then replace Matthew Lloyd as skipper, and this year secure his first All-Australian selection, and was voted the best captain in the competition by his peers.
It has been a journey of resourcefulness, dedication and a pressure that few people could understand.
Not only has he fulfilled expectations from his family and everyone at Essendon, he has blown them to whatever kingdom may come.
Dad's always been dad, he said, and he thanked him and mum for a great upbringing.
Affectionately, he spoke of the love he feels when he is around them.
It was roundabout then that Tim smiled. Really smiled. A proud smile.
Watson had secured the medal by Round 20, when he led by seven votes.
Tipped to be a early leader, Watson polled in nine of the first 10 Rounds, polled in Rounds 13 and 14, didn't poll a vote through Rounds 15-18, and then was awarded three votes for his game against Adelaide in Adelaide.
That was the day he was supposed to have carried a groin/hamstirng injury.
A single vote in Round 21 against North Melbourne meant he had an unassailable lead.
Richmond's Trent Cotchin and Hawthorn's Sam Mitchell filled the placings.
Mega red carpet picture gallery
Mitchell is a champ. And Cotchin is on his way to being one.
In future years, you get the feeling Watson and Cotchin might battle out the medal again.
That will be then, but last night was now.
Watson, the Brownlow Medallist, has a nice to ring to it.
