Essendon champion Jobe Watson says he’s excited about an emerging group of young players coming through at the Club.

The retiring midfielder will be a key figure for the Bombers when they take on Sydney in an Elimination Final on Saturday.

Alongside Watson will be an exciting group of young talent including the recently crowned Rising Star winner Andrew McGrath, and All Australians Zach Merrett and Joe Daniher.

“There is a group of about five or six players who are all going to come through in a similar age bracket who are really high quality players and individuals,” Watson told The Footy Panel.

“They are sort of pillars that you can build clubs around.

“When you have that many in one period of time they can grow together, and grow a side and a culture.

“That’s what excites me most about the team – how fortunate we are to have those kinds of people and players all in a three or four year age bracket.” 

Watson has averaged 23.7 disposals across his 19 games this year.

Such has been his consistency throughout his career that his disposal rate, while still the sixth highest at the Club, is his lowest average individually since 2007.

He acknowledges the game has ‘sped up’ but is glad he made the decision to return after a year out.

“I’ve found that I haven’t had the influence in games that I used to but when the body is feeling good I’ve been able to contribute as well.

“That’s the natural progression of footy and you hope the people underneath you can go and fulfil the role you used to play, but you can still contribute in other ways.

“It was critical to come back and leave the game on my own terms, I thought that was really important.

“There were some really important moments that we’ve had this year as a group that I really was excited about having and thankful that I did.

“Whether it was coming back to the Club as a group, playing that first game, just the events and seeing the development of the young guys I’ve found to be really enjoyable and also seeing where the Club is going and knowing that it’s in a really good spot – that I’ve found really fulfilling.”

Watson added he’s glad he got to share some significant moments this season with his family.

“The thing I’ve probably enjoyed most out of this whole year was to be able to enjoy it with my niece,” Watson said. 

“She comes to the games, she understands what I’m doing, she comes down to the rooms after the games, she ran out with me – to be able to share that with her has been the thing that I’ve enjoyed the most.”