The Penn family are now the sole owners of the club after completing a takeover late last year and installing Joe Kelly as chief executive as the replacement for David Perry, who was shown the door.
"The fans aren't stupid and they knew there was a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes," he said.
"We were made to look a certain way and luckily for the club that side of the board has gone and there is no more a toxic environment and hopefully they can still be successful - but not as successful as us."
Sea Eagles prop Willie Mason claimed Watmough's comments were designed to stir up his new teammates and said he cannot wait to get involved in what is sure to be a bruising contest at Parramatta.
"There's not much talk about what 'Choc's' saying, everyone is sort of saying 'just let Choc talk, that is what he is going to do to get his team wound up'," Mason said.
"It's a totally different environment this year, with the new board. It will be exciting out there, everyone will be out there trying to bash each other, then we'll be stuffed on the sideline.
"These are the games you live for and why I am 34 and still playing."
-AAP
