Watson decision to hand back Brownlow angers club

Essendon star Jobe Watson’s decision to hand back his 2012 Brownlow Medal has been met with outrage from big names within the club, and the wider AFL circle.

Watson, who was among 34 past and present Essendon players banned for the 2016 season over the club’s supplements program, announced the decision in a statement yesterday.

"The negative impact it has had should not define who we are, however I believe it has undoubtedly changed us in various ways," Watson said.

"It is with mixed emotions that I have decided to hand back my 2012 Brownlow Medal."

Former Essendon coach James Hird has called the decision an “injustice”, declaring Watson had “never cheated… never took anything illegal and he won the medal fairly”.

“He shouldn’t have to give it back,” Hird told the Herald Sun.

Essendon CEO Xavier Campbell took to Twitter to express his support of the club great.

“No one should ever question the integrity of Jobe Watson,” he said.

“Under unprecedented and unimaginable pressure, he continues to show absolute class.”

AFL Players’ Association CEO Paul Marsh said the organisation “respects his decision to hand back his 2012 Brownlow Medal”.

“Jobe has spoken of his values driving his decision and in all of the AFLPA’s dealings with him he has proven to be a man of great integrity and he has displayed incredible selflessness in making this decision,” he said.

“We hope now that Jobe and all of his 33 past and present teammates are given the space to move on from this sorry saga.”

Watson, 31, is yet to make public comment.

His decision pre-empts a an outcome by the AFL commission, which will meet next Tuesday to discuss the award.

"It is now up to the AFL Commission at their meeting on Tuesday to make a decision as to what they want to do with it," Watson said.

Watson was awarded the Brownlow Medal in 2012 after polling 30 votes, ahead of Richmond's Trent Cotchin and Hawthorn's Sam Mitchell, who both polled 26 votes.

Watson was due to front the AFL Commission at Tuesday's meeting to press his case as to why he should keep the coveted award. 

The banned players' appeal of the Court of Arbitration for Sport's ruling was dismissed last month in the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland.

"The basic principle behind this prestigious award is to honour the fairest and best," Watson said.