#10 - Michael Braun - due for another good ****ing year

[Mr Eagle]

Michael Braun. The man, the legend, the ****ing great after-dinner speaker.

http://www.westcoasteagles.com.au/portals/0/images/players/eagles/Michael_Braun_Small.jpg

Born 24 March 1978, he is the oldest Eagle in the 2008 senior squad and will probably continue that way until he retires.

He came to the Eagles as the No. 53 pick in the 1996 National Draft, leaving his days in Echuca and Bendigo behind for the big time. He has since played 210 games in the blue and gold, and has also represented Australia in the International Rules series. He is known a little less for the dash and a little more for the crash that he brings to the West Coast midfield than most of his teammates, but his contributions are invaluable.

He has had two major operations on his left knee during his career, first in 2000 and again in 2005 (forcing him to miss the '05 GF). He now requires regular tune-ups every 12 months or 10,000km to keep his legs going.

A poster on this board known as MDB used to know an awful lot about Brauny. His thoughts on this thread would be much appreciated ;)

He has an awesome website (http://www.michaelbraun.com/).


BRAUNewsflashes...

Odds don't bother Braun (http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23262421-23211,00.html) (23/02/08)
Braun returns for Pies hitout (http://www.westcoasteagles.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=7155&newsId=55530) (22/02/08)

[West Coast Premiers 2006]

Thats a great title for a great man. Go Brauny in 08

[hawk-boy]

first non-west aussie to rack up 200 games with the great club,
good servant needs a good year in 08 for eagles to b a force

[Jimmy_the_Gent]

This was in the Sunday Times.

I can't find a link of it online so excuse that. It's by Jay Clark.

Michael Braun says he will continue to sacrifice a slice of his free running style to help to help his team win more of the hard ball this season.

A drop in Braun's disposal count has prompted questions about the 30-year-old's place in the side, amid West Coast's horror start to the season.

But the Eagle maintained yesterday he was making a big contribution, even though of surface value his output had dropped.

"My stats have been down in terms of possessions, but my tackles, blocks and shepards have all been up" Braun said.

"I haven't stopped working in terms of the one percenters and voice in the field - in terms of guiding these young kids.

"Hopefully when I do step away from the game, I've put them in the right direction."

Braun has averaged 19 touches and 3.5 tackles in seven games this year compared to 21 and 2.7 last seasons.

The 217-game wingman, in the final year of his contract, seems destined to retire at the end of the season amid a total list overhaul.

But Braun is intent on making 2008 count - despite the team's decline - by helping develop its next wave of midfield stars.

Interestingly it points to this being Braun's last year.

[anti.]

interestingly its written by the sunday times, therefore it is bullshit.

jay clark is talking out of his arse.

he only wrote that because brauny isnt going as great as he has been in previous years.

[Jimmy_the_Gent]

interestingly its written by the sunday times, therefore it is bullshit.

jay clark is talking out of his arse.

he only wrote that because brauny isnt going as great as he has been in previous years.

He did give himself a nice out by using the word "seems" as in "seems destined to retire", but if I were him I wouldn't be sticking my neck out like that unless I'd heard something from Braun.