PORT Adelaide forward Angus Monfries is "shattered" his former Essendon captain Jobe Watson has decided to hand back his 2012 Brownlow Medal.
Watson last week relinquished the game's highest individual honour before being potentially stripped of it by the AFL Commission as a result of serving an anti-doping ban for the Essendon supplements saga.
On the first day of having all restrictions lifted after having sat out of the game for the past 12 months, Monfries told reporters in Adelaide that he felt for Watson.
"As a friend of Jobe's, I'm shattered for him," Monfries said.
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"It's not a nice situation for him to be put in.
"I'm not sure (if it's the right thing).
"I'm just shattered for a friend that he's been put in that position."
Monfries played 150 games for the Bombers from 2005 to 2012 before joining the Power at the start of the 2013 season.
Monfries and fellow ex-Bomber Patrick Ryder started training with the Power's first to fourth year players last Monday, but only had all their restrictions lifted on Monday.
"It was exciting last week to wake up and get in the car and drive to training, to see all the coaches and the boys again," Monfries said.
"It's definitely been a long year, but I'm glad it's all over and I'm now able to rock up and train and enjoy footy again.
"When we were allowed back at the club (on September 14), that was a big day.
"I basically tried to do as much outside of footy to improve myself and obviously watch the boys and try to support them as best as I could and look forward to the day I was able to come back."
The 29-year-old has signed a one-year contract and knows he faces competition to win a regular spot in the Power forward line.
"I'm under no illusions I have to try and earn my spot back … there are some guys who stepped up and played some really good footy," Monfries said.
"Obviously a year out of footy is not ideal (for) someone of my age.
"I'm 30 in January so who knows (if I will get a contract for 2018), but you're always looking to play as long as you can.
"I'll certainly be having a crack and trying to extend that."
Monfries trained twice a week with personal trainers to keep in shape, while also completing a Bachelor of Journalism and learning how to fly light aircraft.
He also formed a close bond with Ryder, who will be a much-needed addition to the Power's ruck stocks.
"I think Paddy in the ruck is going to be a huge inclusion for us," Monfries said.
"Someone of his class to go into the centre square and do what he does there and then have that versatility to go forward and hit the scoreboard is going to be great for us.
"We did a lot together and tried to help each other to get through."
Angus Monfries with Jobe Watson, David Zaharakis and Dustin Fletcher in 2011. Picture: AFL Photos
