WCE2000
30 May 2001, 21:02
I've got huge raps of the kid. IMO, he has skills the equivalent of James Hird, just not the experience (but that will come). But i've only seen him on about a dozen occasions, so i thought i might get an opinion from people who see him every week.
But, from what i've seen, the Bulldogs have a possible Brownlow Medalist in the side, and i was very suprised he only got 2 votes last year, and i was also disspointed he didn't get All-Australian, as he was twice as good as both Goodwin and McKay last year.
I would say he is not without a chance this year even. Already a couple of three-vote games at least. A few more and he could win it.
He looked like a class act (at least as a footballer but not necessarily as an individual) from the day he arrived. He has improved each year in his football and now appears to have matured as an individual too. Very interesting article in last Saturday's Herald Sun in which he said he was out of control a few years back (though without regrets - something about it being every teenagers right).
He has been excellent this year and I certainly think he's been our best 2 or 3 nearly every game. But he was very good last season so only 2 votes was a bit surprising. Maybe his extra maturity coupled with even better form may make the umpires appreciate him a bit more. He was probably noticed a bit for the wrong reasons in the past.
He's also become more of a 4 quarter player now. Going back to 99 and before he was brilliant in patches. Don't know if others had the same impression but I thought he was our best first quarter player back then. He often seemed to get 7,8,9,10 possessions 1st qtr and then a similar number for the other 3 qtrs put together.
I certainly think he's a Brownlow chance somewhere down the track. And I see no reason why he shouldn't be thereabouts in this years at this r9 point.
Westy Boy
31 May 2001, 07:43
Well said K9-54.
This little passage from the article put things in a whole new light, in my eyes anyway:
Brown and Winmar had endured a real big one after bowing out if the finals in 99 (Brisbane). It was 6am when the boys lobbed back at the hotel.
"A few of the boys where still up, including Plough, sitting on the balcony" said Brown.
Then came the dare. Luke Darcy pointed down towards the murky Brisbane river, and piped up "Browny, I bet ya 100 bucks you can't swin across".
Wallace was quick to say "I'll do it!"
The pair headed down to the banks, stripped down to their jocks and took the plunge.
As the pair churned through the water, they had a heart to heart about where brown was heading with his footy.
"He just told me i had to realise my potential, because so many people haven't"
It was a haf hour round trip 'til they reached the bank with the awaiting Kerry (Wallace's wife), and a group of laughing players.
"Darce handed over the money, but Plough threw it back at him and it ended up in the water"
"I was devasted- i needed that because i'd spent all my money the night before"
Wallace recalled the dip:
"it probably wasn't the smartest thing to do - there's alot of sharks in that river"
"As much as anything, it was an important bonding thing, but it showed that even though we lost, we were still together. It was about fighting all fights together"
brown said he couldn't see himself getting up to those kinds of expolits with the other coaches going around.
"Terry has 100% percent respect of the players, he knows how to relate to the young blokes. if we have a win, he'll come out with us and have a few beers and a good time".
The thing that I came away with after reading that article, was more of an appreciation for Wallace more so than Brown himself (whom the article was centred on for whoever hasn't read it).
I'm still not convinces on Brown's maturity though- Even during the pre season when he had the 'career-threatening' back injury, Inside Football said that he'd been spotted surfing down Torquay the day after he announced it, which wouldn't suprise me.
I guess the only positive to come out of that, is that, despite not being '100% discplined and focused', he is an absolute gun, which suggests that as he matures further, he's going to get even better. A lot of others would have fallen by the wayside with the same attitude. I definitely consider him a future captain.
The one thing that I love about him, is the fact that he NEVER wastes a possesion, is so damaging, and gives the team a streak of arrogance we have so desperatey needed. You were right in saying that he's been in our best 3 for almost every match (the Port Adelaide game has been the only one where he's had a quiet one from what I can remember), and that kind of consistency has been a godsend for us.
WCE2000,
I reckon you were spot on, and I've been one of his biggest fans -- I love to see pure class and skill, and he's got plenty of both. Perhaps most importantly, he has a footy brain, and seems to have a lot of time whenever he has the ball.
He's out to 100-1 (which has bloody suprised me) at the TAB, but they usually have players listed at those odds for a reason (;))i.e. Scott West has dominated in almost every game we've won and hence, 'stolen' a lot of votes off him. In saying that, West was out to 70-1 (now 14-1) only 4 weeks ago.... and if brown keeps performing the way he has been, I would imagine he would come in a fair bit over the coming weeks too. Although I don't like his chances this year (though a dead cert in the next few IMO), he's by far the best player at that money, and i might put $50 on him today.... if I win ($5000), I might send ya a slab (aren't I generous? :p) for reminding me to check his odds! :D
Ted's Robot
1 Jun 2001, 10:58
Definately!
-Gets a lot of the ball and uses it well
-He's a goal kicker
-Smart player
-He stands out with skill, ability and looks
Great player to watch.
HahnPremium8
1 Jun 2001, 11:18
For sure Browny can win a Brownlow medal! I don't know about this year cos i reckon Darcy (who is ineligable) will take too many votes off him. Anyway i agree with what other ppl have said about what a good player his is. He's kept on impoving ever since he came to the club.
About the article, i wasn't too happy about it. He still sounds very immature and to say that it's 'every teenagers devine right' is really pathetic. Footballers IMO have to at least try to be role models. Hopefully he'll grow up and one day be captain of the club. :D The way he plays..he is definately a leader on the field. He still has some improvment in him.
Definitely Browny should have been in the all australian team last year. He will be in it this year for sure!!