News

Watson expected to miss two weeks

Saturday, 27 June 2009
Craig Rowston for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

Scans today revealed that key on-baller, Jobe Watson, has suffered strained ligaments and muscle damage to the ankle area and is expected to miss the next two weeks of football.

Football operations manager, Paul Hamilton, said the 24-year-old - who dominated the first quarter of Friday night's big win against Carlton - rolled his ankle in the second quarter and did not play in the second half.

"The scans have provided some good news in that Jobe hasn't suffered a major injury," Hamilton said.

"Jobe was feeling pretty sore after the game but our medical staff have all the advice they need and are confident he will not miss too much footy.

"He will rest his ankle this week and we will see how quickly he recovers and confirm a more definite return date for him then.

"Jobe is an extremely important part of our young side so it is disappointing to lose him for important clashes with Collingwood and Sydney but we will give him the time he needs to fully recover."

Watson was the only injury concern from the game which attract a crowd of 83,407.

The other big positive ahead of this Friday night's massive battle with Collingwood is that Mark McVeigh will be available after serving a one match suspension for striking and Adam McPhee is expected to have recovered from a minor leg injury.

To watch Matthew Knights' post-match media conference on Bomber.tv click here.

PLAYER PROFILE: Jobe Watson

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rest up Jobe and get that ankle better quick!

- Samantha Whitelaw (posted 27/06/2009 4:46:52 PM)

big loss as jobe is the spine of our midfield but we managed to thrash carlton in the last half which is when we played our best football so we should be ok if we do what we didi against the blues

- Noah Smyth (posted 27/06/2009 4:55:33 PM)

So disappointed for you, Jobe. You'd been playing SO WELL!! Take care of yourself & hopefully you'll be playing in the Red & Black again soon.

- Sue ONeill (posted 27/06/2009 5:14:10 PM)

That sucks. Jobe has really come into his own this season. He is becoming a complete player. We'll miss him a lot. McVeigh should be prepared to fill some big shoes and bring his A game!

- Emily Paton (posted 27/06/2009 5:30:59 PM)

When i saw it on T.V. it didn't look bad which was a good sign. Good news that it will probably be only two weeks. Good to see McVeigh and Mcphee coming back in for us. Come on Dons! Great win last night now back it up

- Jake Mutton (posted 27/06/2009 5:55:56 PM)

BIG BLOW

- Danny Namoni (posted 27/06/2009 6:13:58 PM)

This is a massive loss... Especially because we have Collingwood next week... This game last year he wiped the floor with the pies! Collecting 42 disposals! Come back soon Jobe!!! CARN THE BOMBERS!!

- Megan Hildebrand (posted 27/06/2009 6:17:22 PM)

Bad luck jobe just as we were on the rise again and you were playing heaps good. Although thats the bombers luck, to get all our best players injured

- Fraser Darcy (posted 27/06/2009 6:17:28 PM)

No Watson, but also no Pendlebury. Therefore no excuses next week.

- Matt Dawson (posted 27/06/2009 6:53:05 PM)

Ouch, but ironically, after half time, without Jobe, we started smashing the Carlton midfield :s odd. Next week, bring in Mark McVeigh, Adam McPhee and Michael Hurley. Out goes Nathan Lovett Murray, Jobe Watson and Ricky Dyson/Cale Hooker. I just want to see Hurley again.

- Joseph Attard (posted 27/06/2009 6:59:06 PM)

Rest up Jobe, this will give you a good rest, well deserved I must say. Cant wait to see you out there soon!! maybe Hurley can come back soon too.

- Shannon Hudson (posted 27/06/2009 7:05:24 PM)

LOL! we better play like we did against carlton cause we kicked 7 goals in the last quater and eariler today pies kicked 10 there isn't room for 17 goals a quater!

- Liam Crimmins (posted 27/06/2009 7:49:22 PM)

Massive loss! Very unfortunate (like the photo) as he is now without a doubt our best player. Sjould be named Captain of Essendon after the season is over as Lloyd should be abele to enjoy his final year without any added pressure. Get well soon Jobe!

- Mahesh Ross (posted 27/06/2009 7:57:20 PM)

We might have lost Jobe but they don't have Pendlebury either!

- Mark Elze (posted 27/06/2009 8:08:13 PM)

Jobe is an absolute gun. Massive improvement from him. Two weeks isnt to bad, could of been worse. Look forward to seeing him back out there.

- Samantha Kisielis (posted 27/06/2009 8:27:05 PM)

Its a pity he wont be there for the massive friday night blockbuster against the pies. McVeigh and McPhee back with help soften the blow. Hope your back sooner than later Jobe.

- Nick Forrest (posted 27/06/2009 8:29:43 PM)

Jobe, take a well earned break and let "the ping!!!!!!!!!!!!" get a good run through the middle. We should have enough depth and confidence to cover for you while you heal so fear not, Bombers aren't done with yet. THEY ALL TRY THEIR BEST BUT THEY CAN'T GET NEAR!!!!

- Duncan Eastey (posted 27/06/2009 8:35:56 PM)

major blow for Essendon. Jobe has been a star for our club. Get well soon jobey we need ya!!

- Jezza Chau (posted 27/06/2009 8:37:57 PM)

bad blow we need you Watson

- MARK JONES (posted 27/06/2009 8:57:04 PM)

Fantastic win boys. It seems our old captain Hirdy has put the "mos" on you though. First he wrote that article rating the blues midfield as the new fab four and they lose, and now he writes an article pumping up the importance of young Jobe and he does his ankle. Please Hirdy write an article this week on how good Alan Didak is...

- Daniel Steiner (posted 27/06/2009 9:47:54 PM)

Sorry to hear the magpies wont have Jobe Watson to trouble them ... get well soon Jobe! Keep the enemy guessing, there are a few midfielders in contention.

- Richard Hayward (posted 27/06/2009 10:18:31 PM)

Speedy recovery, CHAMP!!! C u in three weeks for the SWANS game, hopefully.

- NicK Tomaras (posted 27/06/2009 11:19:15 PM)

CORRECTION: NOT the swans game, the BULLDOGS game. I CANT COUNT 2NITE!!!

- NicK Tomaras (posted 27/06/2009 11:21:01 PM)

Your an absolute champion Jobe! Keep up the good work.

- Andrew Cichello (posted 27/06/2009 11:36:39 PM)

Get well soon Jobe. You are an integral part of the team, we play much better with you in it. Rest up and come back strong for the swans match.

- Tina Saccone (posted 28/06/2009 8:21:23 AM)

speedy recovery jobe

- Terri Xuereb (posted 28/06/2009 8:44:43 AM)

hope u recover fast watson the bombers played very well without watson but it is a massive loss he is a major key player like his dad tim.as for the pies im very sure the bombers will have a great match there playing with heart and passion well done pears for ur outstanding performance on fevthe bombers are looking at a top egight finish GO THE MIGHTY BOMBERS

- jamie zammit (posted 28/06/2009 8:51:52 AM)

HUGE loss but we are developing a champion team & not a team of champions, it will be hard but the guys will all lift to cover Jobe, Joseph Attard, bit hard on Hooker & Dyson who has been in our best 5-6 all year to drop them for a guy who has only played about 1 game returning from a long layoff..where is the logic ?? I want to see Hurley also after he has regained match fitness & deserved a game

- Mark McLachlan (posted 28/06/2009 10:10:18 AM)

BAD LUCK Jobe! Get the ankle 100% C-Ya in 2 weeks.Mark.McVeigh time for a big game mate must stand up this week (after letting your fans down with something very silly)must takeover where Jobe left off.Hurley in for Hooker, Hurley's skills will be very valuable coming out of defence against Collingwood. Poor Paddy's gonna have to ruck all night but he smashed'em Anzac Day.

- Ben O'Neill (posted 28/06/2009 10:30:36 AM)

Get well Jobe !!! Thank god we have McVeigh to come in.

- Matthew Holloway (posted 28/06/2009 10:50:27 AM)

Big blow for us as you are an absolute champion & key player for us! You have an amazing ability to find & make space when there appears to be none! Got my eyes crossed you will be recovered/cleared in time for Rnd 15 against the Swans... I'll be there to watch you weave your magic & cheer you on Jobe

- Deborah Bird (posted 28/06/2009 12:21:46 PM)

now its time for the younger guys too stand up.

- Cohlby Giblett (posted 28/06/2009 12:58:01 PM)

All good- Lets give Jobe a break so that he comes back fresher and better than ever. McVeigh to replace Watson is not too bad. Can't really drop anyone else after that magnificent performance- sorry McPhee & Hurley. I also noticed that Gumby is starting to train, I can't believe our depth.

- Roger Youil (posted 28/06/2009 3:17:19 PM)

MacPhee should not play next week! What Friday's game showed more than anything was that he did not leave a hole, more so an opportunity for someone else to excel. Let the team that won so convincingly try again next week.

- George Ciotti (posted 28/06/2009 5:37:52 PM)

wen i saw the incident it really didnt look that bad, but when i saw the crutches and all the ice on his leg i paniked good to hear he wont b out for long. mcveigh and mcphee will really need to step up to replace him. watson is so important to essendon and he was instrumental against collingwood last tym i hope the fact we have reimers, welsh, mcveigh, mcphee and prismal this time will help us. go bombers we need to cement our spot in the 8

- Nick Holdsworth (posted 28/06/2009 8:14:14 PM)

Bad Luck as Jobe was polling well. The big thing is not to rush ligaments and strap the ankle well when resuming. He was playing great posession footy.

- Rodney Broadbent (posted 28/06/2009 8:14:48 PM)

We need as many diffrent variety of players in our back line this week to counter Davis Didak Cloke Dick Anthony Medhurst Thomas, bring back Mcphee if fit Mcveigh and Hurley!!

- Shannon Hudson (posted 28/06/2009 8:29:46 PM)

its a team game not a one person game team played better when watson went of strange ha

- Dave Davo (posted 29/06/2009 9:17:22 AM)

This is a huge disappointment as I have loved watching Jobe play this yr and he is just amazing...he is gonna be seriously missed in the middle!!! I still pick him as winning the best and fairest this yr even being out for the next 2 weeks!!! Get better soon Jobe!!!

- Belinda Purves (posted 29/06/2009 10:18:01 AM)

Watson ..... Big blow for the team. BOG in the first half. Will be missed, especially those sure - fire handballs in close. Still, McVeigh is back and will be roaring to go. McPhee has to carry on like he did in the second half agaist Melbourne. Lets bring the high flying Magpies to their knees on Friday night in another blockbuster. With Didak in form they are getting cocky...... The Bombers aim is to change all that. GO BOMBERS!!!

- Victor Tallis (posted 29/06/2009 10:19:27 AM)

Gun of a Son is a big loss, but it ensured Sam Lonergan stepped it up big time as Knights placed a lot of midfield toughness and contested footy responsibilty on him after Jobe went down. Got to stop DIDAK and we will beat the pies by 60 also if we "Welsh" him!

- Brett Crabtree (posted 29/06/2009 10:31:23 AM)

Jobe has come a long way from 2-3 years ago, he looks like a pro footballer now , body and actions and has matured alot from the chubby, awkward looking teen he started as. Looking more and more like his father did now and yes could be future captain, we need a captain in the midfield to direct the action , (ie) Watson or Hille

- Robert Radulovich (posted 29/06/2009 11:00:15 AM)

Terrible luck, he's a very important player for us and will be missed. I still think we'll knock the pies off, we seem to have a very even balanced side. Not too many players you would consider out and out A graders but a lot of B and B+ which makes it hard for any team to match up as we can hurt the opposition with a number of players.

- Matthew Baker (posted 29/06/2009 2:16:37 PM)

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