Worsfold: Watson must have his “full heart and soul” in any return

Bombers coach John Worsfold says Jobe Watson must be fully committed should he decide to return to the club in 2017.

Speaking on Channel Nine's Footy Classified on Monday night, Worsfold said that in order for Watson for come back and compete at the highest level, he must first have his "heart and soul in it".

The West Coast premiership coach said he spoke with Watson before he left for overseas.

“I didn’t ask him to come back because it doesn’t matter what I want, it’s really what Jobe wants,” Worsfold said.

“In the end, I left it with him saying, ‘Jobe, it’s your life. If you want to come back and play you know we would love to have you there, but you’ve got to really have that passion to come back.

“‘It’s too hard, the game challenges you in too many ways to not have your full heart and soul in it’.”

So far five banned Essendon players have confirmed their returns for 2017, with Cale Hooker, David Myers, Travis Colyer, Heath Hocking and Dyson Heppel all committing to the club for next season.