The reigning Brownlow medallist and his entire list of Bombers teammates are under a heavy dark cloud with an official investigation into startling claims of possible illicit performance enhancing drugs use last year.
Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority agents invaded Bombers training in Melbourne on Thursday, just a day out from Essendon launching the AFL’s NAB Cup summer series against the Western Bulldogs on Friday night at Etihad Stadium.
Watson told Fox Sports News that drug testing could help clear the air on the controversy engulfing his club.
"What you want to do in this situation, is you want it to be as thorough and exact as possible," he said.
"However long it takes, it takes.
"But certainly the priority is for the correct findings to happen."
The Bombers skipper, who is sidelined with a medial ligament problem in his left knee, confessed that Bombers players are anxiously awaiting an outcome from ASADA’s inquiry.
“We’re waiting for the AFL and ASADA to do their investigation, that’s all we can really do at the moment,” Watson said as he arrived for morning training at Bombers headquarters.
“We’re happy that there’s an opportunity to play footy tomorrow night.”
Watson indicated that the playing list had unified behind beleaguered senior coach James Hird.
Hird has been accused of having full knowledge of alleged substance use by Bombers players last year, overseen by controversial former club sports scientist Stephen Dank and suspended fitness and conditioning specialist Dean Robinson.
Hird refused to answer a pertinent question on Wednesday on whether he did in fact know of the substance and supplements program for his players.
Watson said the Bombers had remained united through the ordeal which began in startling manner a little more than a week ago when Essendon chairman David Evans announced he had asked for the full ASADA investigation into his club’s substance regime last season.
“The good thing about footy clubs is that you have each other to lean on,” Watson said.