Tim Watson gave a moving farewell speech as he closed a brilliant 30-year career at 7News, during his final appearance on the network’s 6pm bulletin on Thursday.
The former Essendon star, who also wrote as a columnist for The Age and appeared on 1116 SEN, received a parting gift from his fellow news presenters.
News anchor Mike Amor presented the 63-year-old with a caricature of himself, which seemed to move the legendary sports reporter.
Drawn by illustrator Mark Knight, the portrait showed Watson running with a football while holding a 7News microphone at the MCG.
He was wearing a suit and shirt, which had been unbuttoned revealing an Essendon guernsey underneath. In the background you can see the MCG’s large LED screen displaying the text: “30 years”.
“That’s going to make my night, pun intended,” Watson said, wryly, after being presented with the brilliant drawing.
“I always wanted to be on a Knight poster.”
Channel 7 reporter Tim Watson gave an emotional speech during his final live broadcast.
Mike Amor also said he was “emotional” before adding: “God, we’re going to miss you, man.”
Watson began playing for the Bombers in 1977 as a half-forward, and went on to score a whopping 307 goals in 282 appearances for the Bombers in his first spell at the club. He would leave for the Eagles in 1992, but ended up rejoining Essendon the following season, making 25 more appearances and scoring 28 goals.
The three-time premiership winner would join Channel 7 in 1992, initially as a border passenger.
In between his media work, he also spent two years coaching St Kilda between 1999 and 2000, before returning to Seven to work alongside Bruce McAvaney and Caroline Wilson as a member of the Talking Footy team.
During the broadcast, he gave a farewell speech to viewers in which he thanked the network and his colleagues for their support during his brilliant media career.
“I’ve had the best job for almost 30 years,” Watson said. “I honestly didn’t think I would last long after what can only be described as a modest start to a career as a television sports presenter, but someone had my back and I thank them for their patience,” he said.
‘Seven has been a great place to work, full of talented, committed and dedicated people who give their best every day. There is a great team behind what we do, we are just at the forefront and I thank all those people.
And finally, it is a privilege that I have never overlooked for me to be invited to your home to communicate your sports news.
‘Bec, I know you will do a great job alongside Mitch and Jane next year.
His fellow presenters presented him with a caricature drawn by illustrator Mark Knight, showing him wearing an Essendon jersey, while running with a football and a microphone.
‘As they say, the show goes on. Thank you and goodbye.’
An emotional Love said: ‘God, we are going to miss you, friend.’
Chris Salter, director of 7News Melbourne, said Watson “leaves Seven a media legend”.
‘We thank Tim for his professionalism and many years of loyal service. “The viewers will miss him and so will the newsroom.”
Watson had initially revealed that he would be leaving the network in November.
Following the announcement, 7News presenter Peter Mitchell said: “Having Tim come and sit next to me for so long during the week has been one of the privileges of my job at Seven. Not only is he a Bombers legend, but he is also one of the best people I have ever met.
“Aside from his talent and on-air ideas, I’m going to deeply miss our behind-the-scenes banter on such a diverse range of topics, from football to Taylor Swift, pizza ovens and toppings, to politics, music and families. .
“I wish Tim and his family the best in their new direction.”