I love Jobe Watson. This is no secret. My boyfriend is not a fan of this love, but what can I do? He’s Jobe. Freakin’. Watson. (PS  – I loved him BEFORE the Brownlow, just saying)

Which is why I was happy when Essendon did well and beat the Adelaide Crows in the first AFL game of the 2013 season.  Good for them.  Although, I am secretly cursing Brendan Goddard for his less than stellar numbers in Dream Team (ughhhh – I started with Jobe Watson but chose Goddard over him when all the men had him – WHY DO I LISTEN TO MALES?!).

But I have to say… I am completely over everyone raving about Essendon.  I don’t mean to belittle their triumph, because hey – a win is a win, but they won one game.  There are 21 left.  And frankly, I couldn’t care less about the fact that they won this game “in the face of adversity.”  What adversity?  No one said they couldn’t win.  In fact, I expected it, especially since they now have Brendan Goddard.  Look – if they did something wrong, they’ll be punished, if they didn’t, then they won’t.  That’s not adversity – that’s life.

I understand that people think it’s difficult to play with something like this hanging over their heads, but why?  Why is it difficult?  Am I naive to think that this investigation has no physical effect on them?  Or is it purely because people think there are intense mental/psychological challenges to dealing with such an experience?  Psh. Please. They’re grown men – they can answer a few questions about their ex-team doctors.  Not to mention, some of them weren’t even there when it happened (yea, I’m looking at you, Brendan) so why does it bother them?  I don’t think it should.

So the club is in a “dark place.” Big deal. Isn’t it the job of the coaching staff, the leadership group, and every. single. professional football player to make sure that nothing interferes with their on-field performance?  People go through rough personal stuff every day and many of them don’t let it affect their work and yet no one is writing about them saying they’re worthy of admiration and respect.  Am I supposed to admire Essendon for f*ing up (ALLEGEDLY) and then doing well despite the fact that people found out about it?  Sorry, but I don’t buy it.  These guys are paid to perform and they performed.  That’s not worthy of admiration and respect… that’s just them doing their job.

This post feels a bit harsh, I realise, but why should a team be glorified because they can win despite club difficulties?  Doesn’t every team have difficulties?

It was a good win, but stop over reacting people.

And never fear: I still love you, Jobe.