Jobe Watson was the hero for Essendon. Picture: Getty Source: HWT Image Library
JOBE Watson played like the outstanding captain he is by leading Essendon out of its off-season from hell to a spirited win over Adelaide.
With his club reeling from a pre-season drugs scandal and travelling to a hostile AAMI Stadium against last year's preliminary finallist, Watson produced the ultimate captain's game.
Live HQ: Adelaide v Essendon
The born leader kept Essendon players in their huddle for an extended period before the first bounce, then showed he'd lost none of his Brownlow Medal form by unleashing a 10-possession first quarter.
And that was when the going was tough as the Crows jumped the visitors to lead by 22 points.
But when support arrived in the middle, Essendon responded and dominated the contest after the first break.
He finished the game full of running and his goal 28 minutes into the final term triggered the celebrations.
The Crows tried to tag him in the first half with Matthew Wright, but Watson was virtually untouchable, finishing with 34 possessions - 13 of them contested from his seven clearances.
Jobe Watson follows through with his shot on goal despire Sloane's best efforts to put him off. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: The Advertiser
When Adelaide threatened to mount a late charge in the final term, Watson showed strength and a cool head particularly in defence to weather the storm.
Crows midfielders exposed by Dons
Even more pleasing for Bombers fans was that as good as Watson was, his understudies in Dyson Heppell and Ben Howlett weren't far behind him.
Star recruit Brendon Goddard delivered on his promise, Brent Stanton was solid and debutant Nick Kommer showed he'll be a player with pace and, more importantly, poise with the footy.
Kommer said the club's off-season drama was spoken about before the game and afterwards he could feel the emotion of the 35-point win as he stood in the middle of the team song with Goddard.
The Bombers celebrate at the final siren. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: The Advertiser
"It was really good, emotional and a bit heart-felt," Kommer said.
"It was definitely spoken about, the boys sticking together, we were the only ones who really understood what went on so it's good to stick together and there's nothing better than playing with your mates who went through it."
Mature-age East Perth recruit Kommer capped a memorable first game with a goal to seal victory in time-on in the last stanza.
Dons bounce back from hell
"I was struggling, cramping up a bit so I thought I'd ease it through and it got there," he said.
"I've been training and they threw me straight into most of the big drills which helped me a bit."
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