Jobe Watson puts on brave face day after Essendon’s heavy loss

A DAY after his team’s massacre, and his worst performance in almost a decade, Essendon captain Jobe Watson was putting on a typically stoic face.

Essendon captain Jobe Watson and Melbourne skipper Nathan Jones with 19 year old cancer survivor Liam Evans before this weekends 10 year annversay of the Adam Ramanaskus cancer mach at the MCG. Pic: Michael Klein

A DAY after his team’s Etihad massacre, and his worst individual performance in almost a decade, Essendon captain Jobe Watson was putting on a typically stoic face despite all hell breaking out around him.

As is the case in the AFL the show must go on, irrespective of 110-point losses to St Kilda prompting all sorts of hysterical reactions on social media. So Watson, 30, was front and centre on Monday in his efforts to promote the annual “Clash for Cancer” clash with Melbourne.

As he said, football, no matter how putrid it can get, pales into insignificance when compared with the challenge society faces from cancer, highlighted to him by the presence of 19-year-old Liam Evans who was first diagnosed with leukaemia nine years ago.

He went to last Sunday’s game against St Kilda and stayed until the end to support his heroes. For Watson it’s people like Evans who are the real heroes.

“I played in the first one 10 years ago. Having played with Rama (Adam Ramanauskas) and knowing what he went through, then the significance of his return to the field, it was a very emotional game and a very joyous occasion,” Watson said.

“It puts life in perspective although I can say to Liam who is an Essendon supporter that we were very disappointed yesterday. It’s not how we want to play or not something we want to be a part of again and certainly we will give a much better effort on Saturday.”

Jobe Watson standing the mark during heavy loss to St Kilda. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

The embattled Bombers skipper had just nine touches in his 200th game, his lowest tally since Rd 6, 2009, and his match average has dropped to 19 disposals a game in his last six matches.

But Watson said neither he nor his teammates had any real excuses for the poor effort.

“I get asked if I’m fit? I don’t know if anyone is 100 per cent in the middle of the year but once you cross the line you have to perform,” he said.

“We can’t hide from yesterday. When you go out in an AFL game you have to be able to compete and that’s what we didn’t do against St Kilda. I played forward to try and lessen the load on young Joe Daniher and to try to score more.

“We have to develop some flexibility which we tried on Sunday but if you don’t bring effort then it doesn’t matter what you try.

“We address what we think the cause is then it comes down to hard work. I know there’s pressure (on coach James Hird) but it’s not the case (that we aren’t playing for him). But that’s not the issue and there are other things we just have to try and rectify.”

The “Clash for Cancer” concept was developed in 2006 to raise funds for the Cancer Council of Victoria after Ramanauskas recovery from fibromatosis in 2003.

A request at the time by Essendon to wear yellow armbands was churlishly denied by the AFL and when the club went ahead it was fined $20,000.

In 2007, the AFL agreed to allow yellow armbands to be incorporated into the left sleeve of the jumpers which will happen again on Saturday at the MCG.

Originally published as Jobe Watson puts on brave face day after Essendon’s heavy loss