I think this is a key point. I agree with Bruno that Brown’s style won’t cut it in intense games. However I disagree that Begley presented much of a better option this particular September. Baguley certainly not. We don’t have the cattle this year. Maybe Zerk-Thatcher or Hayley back and Ambrose forward? But Ambrose is quite limited forward and was Zerk or Hartley really gonna hold down Kennedy or Darling? No, probably not.
No one is talking Stewart but Worsfold would have dreamed in Feb of a fit and firing Daniher / Stringer / Stewart / Fantasia / Walla / Smith forward line.
Brown has stepped into the breach. Good on him. But this year just didn’t turn out.
I think the point re Begley has been missed.
Don't compare him to some ideal standard. Compare him to the game Brown has dished up every time the heat has been on.
It's hardly a compliment to say he could have been selected. If we favoured competitiveness we'd have selected him and even at his absolute worst would we have been any worse off?
I hate doing this, but the 3 pages before Thursday night are me and others arguing about this exact thing and Brown failing because, as I've said numerous times, no half competent side playing finals footy is going to let the guy float around getting cheap kicks.