Essendon unveils guernsey for Dreamtime at the G designed by Gavin Wanganeen who says Jobe Watson should keep his Brownlow
ESSENDON legend Gavin Wanganeen says Bombers captain Jobe Watson should not be stripped of his Brownlow Medal over the club’s doping saga.
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ESSENDON legend Gavin Wanganeen says Bombers captain Jobe Watson should not be stripped of his Brownlow Medal over the club’s doping saga.
Wanganeen, who became the first indigenous man to play 300 AFL games, has designed the Bombers’ Dreamtime Guernsey for the Round 10 clash against Richmond at the MCG.
“Nothing has been proven, so how can something be taken away if there is no proof?” Wanganeen said of Watson’s 2012 Brownlow.
“Hypothetically, to take something away from someone that is so special, would be a risk.”
The former Essendon and Port champion has become an artist after football and has an exhibition of painting “Shooting Stars” in Melbourne this month.
Wanganeen said he gave the Bombers “a tick” for their start to the season in the wake of the bans to the Essendon 34, adamant the players were “not giving up”.
The 1993 Brownlow Medallist said Watson deserved to keep his league medal as he weighs up his footballing future on a trip to New York.
“I feel for Jobe, I feel really sad for him,” Wanganeen said.
“You can only imagine (the suffering). I only just hope and pray he muscles up the strength to do what’s right for him, and hopefully things fall his way, in terms of the Brownlow.”
The AFL commission will decide on Watson’s Brownlow Medal after a Swiss court hears the Essendon 34’s appeal of the guilty verdict from the Court of Arbitration of Sport.
Wanganeen spoke with Essendon players yesterday at the MCG to explain his jumper design.
He said the circle in the middle of the sash represents the Essendon Football Club and the 23 U-shapes signified each of the Bombers’ past and present indigenous players.
He said it was a “hugely special” honour to design the guernsey, helping showcase and celebrate the indigenous culture.
“My grandfather and great grandfather were from the west coast of South Australia, a mission from Koonibba, and they were brought there when they were very young,” Wanganeen said.
I feel for Jobe, I feel really sad for him
Gavin Wanganeen 
“I have seen a lot of family members paint over the years and for me it just draws me back to my people when I paint and that’s an unbelievable feeling.
“So I thought I would represent all of Essendon’s indigenous players on the jumper, and some of the indigenous boys who have played over the years are lesser names who never went on to have long careers.
“Players like Willie Dick, Lachlan Ross and Russell Williams, and not too many people will remember them, so I thought it would be a good idea to represent them and celebrate their journeys to the Essendon footy club.”
The five-time All-Australian said he would remain eternally grateful for the chance Essendon gave him to start his AFL career before joining Port Adelaide.
The dashing midfielder and defender won a premiership at each club, in 1993 at Windy Hill and 2004 at Alberton.
“They are special to me — the years I spent at Essendon. They were some good successful years there and they’ll never be forgotten,” he said.
Wanganeen said Essendon’s start to this season had been extremely encouraging in the circumstances.
“I give them a tick, definitely,” he said.
“To get that win against Melbourne, they were in the game against Geelong and the game against Carlton they could have won that as well.
“With 8-10 best players gone from the side, they’re just not giving up.
“This year is an opportunity for a lot of the younger guys to lay the foundation leading into next year to learn what Woosha (John Worsfold) wants from them.
“These young guys I think will put them in good stead for the future.”
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