Goddard plays it tough with teammates

Gun recruit Brendon Goddard has high expectations of himself and his teammates since arriving at Bomberland. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON'S star recruit Brendon Goddard has wasted no time imparting brutally honest feedback to his teammates, and coach James Hird wouldn't have it any other way.

Hird revealed yesterday new leadership group member Goddard was quickly building a reputation for demanding more from teammates and himself.

Goddard's on-field sprays to teammates became a regular feature at St Kilda, but Hird said yesterday he had found the right balance in his five months at Essendon.

It came as Hird conceded Brownlow medallist Jobe Watson had struggled for motivation in his first month of the pre-season after his individual win.

But he says Watson is back on track, with Hird rating free agent acquisition Goddard the AFL's best player at times in recent years.

They will team up in the AFL's season opener against Adelaide on Friday night at AAMI Stadium.

"Brendon is an elite player. At times in his career he's been the best player in the competition, the impact he has on the game," Hird said.

"We expect him to play good football, but we don't expect him to be the best player every week. His leadership is outstanding. He is an outspoken person who speaks from the heart and he's got on well with his teammates.

"He challenges his teammates and they have challenged him. When you mature as a group you trust each other to become more honest.

"You need to be totally honest, frank and care for people, but make sure we are all moving in the same direction with honest feedback, which this group has been good at this pre-season."

Brownlow Medallist Hird said he could give no advice to Watson about backing up from the medal, given he fractured the navicular bone in his foot and missed the following three years.

"Jobe is a professional. He has trained very hard. Coming out of a big year he lacked a bit of motivation in his first month but he soon regained that and is training at a high level. We have got no doubt he is ready for another big year."

The Bombers coach told Bomber TV the club needed to continue dramatically improving its defence if it was to challenge for higher honours.

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