Watson told Bomber.tv that improvement in the midfield is the key to Essendon’s hopes and that he expects himself, and the team, to have a big second half of the season.

""I think my form has been a little bit up and down this year and I probably didn’t start the way I would have liked but we still have half a year ahead of us in which we can improve as a side,"" he said.

""At the moment we have a terrific forward line and a terrific backline and we want to have a terrific midfield too and not be perceived as the weak link of the side.

""So we need to make sure that the midfield functions at a high enough level to play finals footy.

""Midfield depth is important and I think by working on the combination of good foot skills and run through the ground and our rebound from the backline, we will give ourselves a good opportunity to experience finals action this year.""

See the full interview on Bomber.tv.