Jobe Watson will Captain the Essendon Football Club for a seventh consecutive season.
Throughout the toughest period in the Club’s history, Jobe’s leadership has withstood immense pressure and provided inspiration for his teammates and the extended Essendon family.
The 30 year-old said he feels re-invigorated and excited about resuming the Captaincy next season.
“To Captain the Essendon Football Club for a seventh season is an honour, and it’s a responsibility that I take extremely seriously,” Watson said.
“Last season was challenging for everyone involved at the Club, but everyone’s had a good break, we feel rejuvenated and the team’s attitude and ambition provides us with great excitement about what we can achieve next season and beyond.
“Whenever you bring in new people there’s always a sense of excitement, John has been fantastic in outlining his vision and method for how we’re going to play in 2016, and we’ve added some experience and youth to our list which generates competition for spots and naturally raises the intensity at training.”
Senior Coach John Worsfold introduced a new process to select the team’s Leadership Group, with the players, Football Executive and Board voting on the makeup of the group.
Joining Jobe in the Leadership Group this season is Dyson Heppell, David Myers, Brendon Goddard, Cale Hooker, Michael Hurley and Mark Baguley.
Worsfold said the Leadership Group boasts a wealth of experience and personalities that will uphold the team’s values.
“Jobe returned in a really positive frame of mind and his actions on the training track and in the dressing room spoke volumes, his teammates and the key stakeholders at the Club were left with no doubt he is the right person to lead the team in 2016,” Worsfold said.
“Jobe was the standout person for the role, he was very keen to continue as Captain and do an even better job in the wake of the experience he has gained over the past few years.
“When you look at the people who make up our Leadership Group, they’re outstanding people and players, there’s great depth amongst those seven members.”
Heppell’s strong leadership qualities has seen him installed as the Club’s Vice-Captain, while Hurley and Baguley’s care and professionalism saw them elevated to the group.
“I think it’s fantastic to see the youngest member of the group in Dyson elevated to the Vice-Captaincy, Dyson shows outstanding leadership traits and importantly, this was recognised by his teammates,” Worsfold said.
“Michael Hurley’s return to the Leadership Group is a reflection of his development as a player and person in 2015. Both Michael and Mark Baguley show concern and empathy for their teammates as well as being both extremely competitive and great performers on game-day."
“While these seven players hold an official title, we expect every player on the list to show leadership, and I’m confident the players will hold one another accountable to the standards and values we agreed upon at last week’s training camp in Healesville.”
For comprehensive coverage of today’s Leadership Group announcement, head to essendonfc.com.au
Terrific to see Hooksey, Bags and Hurls in there along with the others.
JOBE! Best club captain in the AFL.