AFL chief believes verdict on whether Essendon's Jobe Watson keeps his 2012 Brownlow Medal will be the sport's 'most difficult decision ever'

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AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has warned that making a decision on whether banned Essendon skipper Jobe Watson should lose his 2012 Brownlow Medal will be the hardest one the game's authorities will ever have to make.

Watson, 31, was suspended in January along with 33 past and present Essendon players for their part in the club's 2012 doping program. 

The AFL Commission will now make a decision on whether Watson should keep the medal McLachlan said on Fox Footy's AFL 360, and the AFL chief knew all to well the enormity of it.

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Essendon skipper Jobe Watson could lose his 2012 Brownlow Medal

'If that happens – and it's still only an if – then I think the people charged with the responsibility of making that decision will not have made a more difficult decision, not just in their time in football but almost in their lives,' he said.

'I don't want to overdramatise it, but that will be as hard a decision they will ever have to make, I'm sure. 

'I think everyone involved – if they had to make that decision – would dread it. I don't think anyone would say differently. I think it would be as hard a decision as anyone to make.'  

However, McLachlan will not take part of the AFL Commission that will make the final decision as he he has had involvement with people throughout the process that may affect his impartiality. 

Watson, 31, was suspended in January along with 33 past and present Essendon players for their role in the club's 2012 doping program

The Brownlow Medal is awarded to the 'fairest and best' player in the AFL season

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan was all too aware of the enormity of the decision

'Given I've had different conversations with different people, potentially Jobe or others, I don't want to put myself in a position where I find myself accused of being not truly independent,' he said.

'I've made it clear to a number of people that I would not sit on that decision.'

McLachlan hoped that no one thought he was trying to 'shirk that dreadful responsibility', but in his role as CEO he had felt he had no other choice.

'In the lead-up and during (the process) I need to have conversations that would look like I wouldn't necessarily come in with clean hands,' he explained.

The Brownlow Medal is awarded to the 'fairest and best' player in the AFL season. It is worked out by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game. 

The AFL Commission will now make a decision on whether Watson should keep the medal