When it comes to the saying ‘like father, like son’ there is arguably no better example than Tim and Jobe Watson.

Both have been instrumental to the team during their years at the club. Both have led the team with great heart, always putting the teams’ needs before their own and both have been widely acknowledged for their on field success. 

While Jobe still has a long way to go to catch up to his father’s 300 plus games and three premierships, there is a definite point of comparison when looking at their individual accolades. 

Let’s take their success on the club’s night of nights, the Crichton Medal.

Tim has won the medal on four occasions, while Jobe has won it three times. They are the only father-son combination to win the award, let alone multiple times each. 

But who would take home the medal if they were to go head-to-head in the modern era?

We compare Tim Watson’s 1989 win, where he was named in the VFL team of the year and took home the league’s most valuable player award, with Jobe Watson’s Brownlow medal winning year of 2012. 

Tim had a very strong season in 1989, as the Bombers went all the way to the Preliminary Final - only to be defeated by Geelong. His standout game arguably came in round 19 against the Brisbane Bears where he collected a massive 40 disposals, took eight marks and kicked one goal.

In a season where the more senior Watson averaged 22 disposals a game, he finished third in what was a tightly contested Brownlow medal - eventually won by Geelong’s Paul Couch. 

His season did not go unnoticed, however, as he picked up the club’s best and fairest with 330 votes - well clear of Gary O’Donnell who polled 288.

Jobe’s 2012 was a season that will never be forgotten.  

Averaging 29 disposals per game and collecting 154 clearances for the season, Jobe caught the eye of the entire football community as he stormed home to win the Brownlow with 30 votes. 

His leadership on the field would also see him collect a massive 551 Crichton votes, with no-one coming close to challenging him. 

Although the game has changed dramatically between 1989 and 2012, we ask who you believe would take the Crichton Medal if both were competing today?

Vote below!