Essendon AFL player Jobe Watson could make history and become the first player ever to win both the Brownlow and Frownlow Medals in his career.
Watson currently faces the possibility of being stripped of his 2012 Brownlow Medal, which is awarded to the most outstanding player in any Australian Football League (AFL) season.
The loss of the Brownlow would make Watson eligible for The Frownlow Medal which is awarded to the player whose off field demeanour epitomises the values of the modern day footballer and draws attention to the status of footballers as role models to young Australians. It covers Australia’s four major football codes; the NRL, Australian Football League (AFL), the A League (Football) and Rugby Union’s Super Rugby competition.
The sport’s governing body is demanding Watson hand back the famous medal following his alleged involvement in widespread performance enhancing drug use at Essendon during the 2012 season. Watson has so far declined the offer to hand back the medal.
“To win both medals would be a huge honour…” said Watson “…but we’ll have to let the judges decide. All I can do is stick to my guns and let my performances speak for themselves”.
Watson would also make history as the first AFL player to win The Frownlow Medal after Sydney Roosters NRL player Shaun Kenny-Dowall won the inaugural medal in 2015 for services to programs such as Neighbourhood Watch.
The Frownlow Medal 