You don't have to tell Jobe Watson that AFL football is a tough gig. The expectations that come with being the son of a club legend were there from day one. But injuries conspired to restrict him to just one game - a game that attracted much attention but was largely forgettable in terms of his influence on the match. So Watson certainly had a story to tell Essendon's draftees and rookies and last week's Induction Night.

Watson spoke to the group about their new found status as AFL footballers and the pressures that come with that. ""It is hard to stay at home when all your mates are going out but that is when you have to make a decision - do I want to give this my very best shot?"" Watson told them. ""The easy decision is to go out and that is why there is nothing easy about playing football at this level.""

Watson also advised the latest crop of draftees not to forget the people who had invested so much time and effort into helping them get to where they are today. ""There will be times when it gets hard and things might not be going as well as you would have liked and you can argue and turn on those around you,"" Watson said. ""They want to be a part of it so let them in as much as you can because they are very proud of you and what you are doing.""

The Essendon Football Club induction night is held annually in the club's Hall of Fame. Each year a second-year player is asked to speak to the club's new draftees about the pitfalls of becoming an AFL player, the opportunity they have and the hard work that needs to be put in if they are going to take their chance.