Fresh from his 36-possession game on Sunday, the man with one of the best set of hands in the AFL, Jobe Watson, today signed a new two-year deal with Essendon. He is now contracted to the end of the 2010 season.

The rapidly improving Watson, 23, has played 64 games for the Bombers since being taken as a father/son selection with pick 40 in 2002.

Team manager, David Calthorpe, said Watson is developing into a damaging ball winner and club leader.

“In the past two-years he has improved considerably as a player and, at just 23-years-old, he will be a key part of the Essendon midfield for years to come,” Calthorpe said.

“At 191cm, 88kg and with superb hands and vision he has the strengths to cause opposition teams serious problems. We believe he will play a big role in our next premiership tilt.

“This year he was added to our leadership group for the first time which shows how highly he is rated at the club. He has the respect of the playing group and many of our younger players really look up to him.

“One of the club’s pillars is heritage and tradition and, with Jobe’s father Tim also having a distinguished career in red and black, this contract is a significant and important boost for Essendon.”

Watson leads the club handball count (145) and is fourth for tackles (39).

His new deal follows a number of recent contract signings including David Hille, David Myers, Henry Slattery and Leroy Jetta.

“We have a lot of faith in our young, developing list and it’s encouraging to see players like Watson and Hille show that they are committed to the direction we are taking,” Calthorpe said.
 
“Those two players have seen the rapid development of David Myers, Kyle Reimers, Sam Lonergan, Bachar Houli and others first hand and they want to be part of an exciting new era at the club.”