Jobe Watson’s cousin Seb Ross reveals Brownlow Medal twist

IT’S believed Jobe Watson’s 2012 Brownlow Medal sits in a drawer at AFL House after the Essendon champ handed it back. But cousin and star Saint Seb Ross isn’t so sure.

Jobe Watson said ‘the fairest and best thing to do; was hand back his Brownlow. Picture: Getty Images

JOBE Watson’s Brownlow Medal could be hanging on a wall at his grandparents’ house, according to his cousin Seb Ross.

Mystery lingers over the exact whereabouts of the 2012 medal which was controversially stripped from Watson over Essendon’s doping suspensions.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has previously said the medal sat in a drawer in his office at AFL headquarters.

But how it got there and who handed it back was never cleared up.

Saints star Ross dropped a rare clue, saying there’s a chance the medal was still in possession of the Watson family, and taking pride of place on his grandparents’ mantle.

Seb Ross says he’s seen a Brownlow at his grandparents’ house. Picture: Mark Stewart

But whether it was the real deal or simply a replica, Ross wasn’t sure.

“I do know at Nan and Pa’s house, they have got one sitting on the wall,” Ross said on Triple M.

“I’m not sure if that is a replica or the real one. I don’t know if they have got it tucked away.”

McLachlan said the decision to strip Watson of the medal was the hardest the AFL Commissioners have had to make in their lives.

Watson’s manager Craig Kelly previously insisted the “dog ate it”.

The medal remains a sensitive topic for the Watson family following the four-year saga which devastated Essendon and some players’ careers.

In total, 34 current and former Essendon players were suspended for one year for taking a banned substance as part of a bungled injections program.

Seb Ross in action for the Saints. Picture: AAP

However, the Bombers have emerged from the darkest period in their history this season with coach John Worsfold helping catapult the club back into finals contention this season.

Watson, who has played 14 games this season, said late last year he was returning the medal.

“If there is a question in peoples’ minds as to whether the 2012 award is tainted, the fairest and best thing to do is to give it back and honour the history that has gone before me,” Watson said.

“I want to make it clear that today’s decision does not in any way reflect a change in my personal opinion regarding the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) finding, but rather reflects my desire to put to a close further speculation about what should be done with the 2012 Brownlow Medal.”