Watson ‘the backbone’ in darkest days

ESSENDON great Matthew Lloyd says the Bombers should never forget the role Jobe Watson played holding the “club together” in the worst period in its history.

As Watson announced he would be calling time on his career at the end of the season, Lloyd described the former Bombers captain as the “backbone” of the club during its darkest days of the supplements saga.

The champion goalkicker said it was a weight that eventually became too much, cutting him down in his prime as a player and costing him more career achievements.

“He pretty much carried the whole football club and the whole playing group through the first three years or so [of the supplements saga] and it all just came crashing down on him because he was lifting and carrying everyone,’’ Lloyd said.

“He just kept the club together — you just didn’t see anyone break away, no one broke ranks really, and that was all because of Jobe.

“Just the mental and emotional toll that would have taken and did take on him was just massive.

“He was a champion footballer, but just what he did for the footy club and for his teammates, it’s something they should never forget.

“Jobe was the most powerful person and voice, and I think he has been just the backbone really of the Essendon footy club for the worst period in the club’s history.’’

Lloyd said the three-time Bombers best-and-fairest was the most damaging midfielder in the AFL at his peak and could have been a six-time club champion.

“I think Jobe won three best-and-fairests, there’s no reason why he wouldn’t have won five or six,’’ he said.