A change in mindset?

[smiddaz123]

I remember early on in Nathan Brown's career he was aggressive. He got up in the face of the likes of Jonathan Brown, Nick Riewoldt and Matthew Pavlich. He tried to intimidate them with his physical strength and he was obviously an eager and aggressive individual.

What have we seen so far in 2009? The same body, possibly even bigger, but without the aggressive and enthusiastic mindset. One instance (I think in the second term) he should have polaxed Travis Varcoe, instead Varcoe actually bumped him over, and it resulted in a Geelong goal.

Last year Cloke started to get an aggressive and mean stroke into his game as well, which also has seemed to have disappeared in 2009.

These are just two examples, but the vibe I get from the team is a far different one from 2008. I might be alone here, I might be seeing something that isn't there.

What do you guys think?

P.s I'd just like to throw out a special mention to Shane O'Bree for being one of a few senior players to show a determined mindset and lead the way. Props to him.

 

[Ant85]

I said a similar thing in a different thread. We appear to be either lacking confidence or enthusiasm or both, and it puzzles me considering the apparent brilliant pre-season we had.

 

[Axl the great]

I dont think it helps if you wear the black and white and show the slightest aggresion then the Maggot umps are all over us!

 

[mdc]

I've been saying it since end of last year. He's too big. Go to the VFL, don't eat for a while, drop 5kg, and she'll be right.

 

[smiddaz123]

I dont think it helps if you wear the black and white and show the slightest aggresion then the Maggot umps are all over us!

Cop out.

The did it last year and were fine.

Aggression isn't always laying a bump or throwing someone to the ground.

It can be how you attack the ball. The way you pick yourself up after losing a contest. The way you get into an opponent's face.

All have been lacking. All weren't lacking last year.

What I want to know is what changed?

 

[mattys123]

I've been saying it since end of last year. He's too big. Go to the VFL, don't eat for a while, drop 5kg, and she'll be right.

Hit the spot, watch his TWIN BROTHER play on Saturday for West Coast, he is 7-10 kgs lighter, has more agility, yet has the same height, closing speed that Nathan showed last year.

Nathan needs to avoid the gym for 2 years, lose muscle and gain agility, he was better this time last year.

 

[The 10th Letter]

Good thread, I've been wondering about N. Brown as well.

He burst out of the blocks last year and faded - somewhat understandably - towards the end. Unfortunately, he's continued in this rut. He obviously has talent and a lot to work with physically, but "stale" is the word that sprang to my mind watching him tonight; the fire that saw him impress last year just doesn't seem to be there.

What's critical, is he strikes me as a player who really needs that spark to get the best out of himself. I don't know whether we need to swing him around a bit and try something different, or whether he needs a spell at VFL level. Problem is, I'm hard-pressed to find a replacement for him given our lack of key defenders.

As for the rest of the team, I'm really not sure. Collectively, we seemed to have that fire in the belly for patches tonight -- but our poor conversion went a long way to extinguishing that. Nothing more deflating than being in a dominant position and watching opportunity after opportunity go begging.

We've been patchy so far, but even last year we were much the same. We didn't know what to expect from one week to the next last year and so far it's looking like being much the same in 2009.

 

[Brent24]

As others have said, he's just too big. Lose some weight, gain some mobility. Not enough monster forwards in this day and age.

 

[Visions]

Brown isn't the only one. A lot of players don't look committed, to me they look lost sometimes.

 

[Invigoration]

Yeah would love to see a bit more mobility from him because he is a beautiful kick and has a good set of hands.

People still need to be realistic about him though, he is still doing pretty well. Streaks ahead of the bloke taken two picks before him at this stage anyway.

 

[Rohan Coventry]

CHF for me.

 

[FuManchu]

CHF for me.

I agree

 

[Alexander323bc]

Second year blues, happens to most players. Usually their first year is emotionally tiring and they they struggle in the following year. Thomas and Pendles were the same.
Gee some people have a very short memory.

 

[mdc]

Second year blues, happens to most players. Usually their first year is emotionally tiring and they they struggle in the following year. Thomas and Pendles were the same.
Gee some people have a very short memory.

You might want to reconsider that.

 

[Angelus512]

They all need to watch a STRONG dose of the movie 300 on 24 hour repeat....not allowed to look away.

 

[mattys123]

They all need to watch a STRONG dose of the movie 300 on 24 hour repeat....not allowed to look away.

So what you are saying is that Brisbane are the Persians?

 

[The 10th Letter]

They all need to watch a STRONG dose of the movie 300 on 24 hour repeat....not allowed to look away.

Pendles already does his best work in slow-motion.