One of the priorities of the SMJFL Board since being voted in was to secure a league patron.

The idea of the Patron is to assist in advancing the aims and objectives of the SMJFL by virtue of their standing within the community and knowledge and experience in football.

We see this being achieved by the Patron through:

    * publicly supporting the objectives and activities of the SMJFL
    * attending and participating in SMJFL events like tonight
    * providing guidance and counsel to the SMJFL Board when required

The SMJFL Board have worked hard to identify the right person for the patron role. The SMJFL Board are very pleased Tim Watson has agreed to join the SMJFL as league patron as Tim has a strong football background and good familiarisation with the South Metro region.

Information on Tim Watson

Early career

Tim made his VFL/AFL debut in 1977 for Essendon at the age of 15, the third youngest player in the history of the League.

Tim won the Essendon best-and-fairest award four times.

In 1989, Tim won the AFL Players Association MVP award.

Tim played in Essendon's premierships 1984, 1985 and 1993

Tim was made Captain of Essendon in 1989 before retiring in 1991 due to injuries.

Comeback

In the 1993 season Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy lured Tim out of retirement, where he played a vital role in the forward line assisting a very young team and Essendon won an unexpected premiership that year.

After the 1994 season, Tim retired for good, having played 307 games and kicked 335 goals.

Since his retirement, Tim was named the sixth greatest player to ever play for Essendon in the "Champions of Essendon" list, and was named ruck-rover in their "Team of the Century".

Coaching career

Tim was the coach of the St Kilda Football Club in 1999 and 2000, his success was limited, with the side winning only 12 of the 44 matches while he coached.

Media career

Tim is now a media personality, serving as the Melbourne sports presenter on Seven News and is a co-host on the Morning Glory show on Melbourne radio station SEN 1116.