Jobe Watson’s AFL season from hell had one happy postscript when he made his second-straight All-Australian team.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou, who also chairs the All-Australian selection committee, heaped praise on the Essendon captain after Watson was named an interchange player in the honorary lineup.

“He’s not only had to play well, he’s had to captain the team … (and) endured stress levels that I don’t think any of us could imagine,” Demetriou said at Monday night’s announcement.

“He not only has performed well, he has excelled – he is thoroughly deserving of his place in the All-Australian team.

“Everyone should be very proud of his efforts.”

Watson, the reigning Brownlow Medallist, became a central figure in the club’s ongoing supplements scandal when he revealed he had taken the banned substance AOD-9604.

Opposition fans regularly booed him at games after the admission.

Watson also broke his collarbone in round 15, putting him out of action for three games..

Essendon were under AFL and Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) investigations all season.

In late August, just before the finals started, the AFL took the unprecedented step of kicking Essendon out of the top eight.

They also banned coach James Hird for 12 months among other penalties.

Watson and his team-mates remain under ASADA investigation, with no word on when the anti-doping body will announce its findings.

The Bombers star did not attend the All-Australian dinner because he is on holidays.

There were 12 newcomers to the All-Australian lineup, with Geelong’s Joel Selwood named captain.

Gold Coast skipper Gary Ablett is the vice-captain and also became the first player to make seven All-Australian teams in a row.