Toast Jonathan Brown appreciation thread

[Robbo18!]

I hope Browny retires. Not for any other reason than his long term health and the fact he has such a young family and many years out of footy (on field) to spend with them. I hope he hangs em up, takes a year off and spends time with his fam and then perhaps gets into coaching at some level or even media.
Hes a character of the game just as much as an absolute legend of a player and I hope he hangs around the game and our club in some capacity as long as possible. Whatever he chooses to do I know everyone will support and respect his decision.

 

[Skoob]

I hope Browny retires. Not for any other reason than his long term health and the fact he has such a young family and many years out of footy (on field) to spend with them. I hope he hangs em up, takes a year off and spends time with his fam and then perhaps gets into coaching at some level or even media.
Hes a character of the game just as much as an absolute legend of a player and I hope he hangs around the game and our club in some capacity as long as possible. Whatever he chooses to do I know everyone will support and respect his decision.

I think you (and other with similar sentiment) are right. We will respect his decision. How could we not? Has given his all to the game and this club. There is enough evidence that there is a risk of long term damage from the knocks he's already had, and I believe that risk increases every time a concussion is sustained. In the scheme of life, half a dozen more goals means absolutely **** all. I would hate for him to play on and the next knock be the final straw for his health.
I was all for him playing on this year, or however long he wanted, but this last knock really is enough. It could have been one too many already. As much as I believe he still brings to the team, enough is enough.

 

[MacMum]

I think nearly everyone feels the same Skoob. Its time for him to think of himself and his family. Will be a helluva sad day, but one that no-one would begrudge him

 

[Pacman82]

All the Brown doubters have taken to their soapboxes, even Dr.Peter Larkins has jumped on today.

A few months back they all said Brown was to slow, give it up big fella, but he was just returning to form.

Brown's not going to retire of the back of a concussion, especially when he knows that there's no one to step into breach, let alone take out a couple of key defenders.

Jon Brown will get back up and return to form again and again.

 

[PattyKwasagun]

 

[jackess]

Has he actually had that many concussions?

I can remember 5 - the three broken face head clashes, the weekend and the GF when Scotty Burns lined him up. I do realise that 5 concussions is still 5 more than you'd like.

 

[josephs_79]

All the Brown doubters have taken to their soapboxes, even Dr.Peter Larkins has jumped on today.

A few months back they all said Brown was to slow, give it up big fella, but he was just returning to form.

Brown's not going to retire of the back of a concussion, especially when he knows that there's no one to step into breach, let alone take out a couple of key defenders.

Jon Brown will get back up and return to form again and again.

I think at this point no one stepping into the breach should be the least of his concerns (although we all know it wont be for him). IMO I think him retiring and forcing us to play some KPF in the role might show or force some of the ones we have into actually playing the role well without the J Brown overshadowing them in the team.

While any KPF we get is going to be living in the shadow of it for the short term, some may stand up being he is no longer there.

 

[Pacman82]

I'LL BE BACK

 

[luthor]

I hope Brownie makes the right decision for him, whatever that may be.

From a sentimental and selfish viewpoint, I would love to see the old fella go on to at least notch the 600 goal milestone. But hell, it's only a number and his long term health is what's really important.

Whatever the great man decides should be respected by all and sundry.

 

[Last of the Roys]

I hope Brownie makes the right decision for him, whatever that may be.

From a sentimental and selfish viewpoint, I would love to see the old fella go on to at least notch the 600 goal milestone. But hell, it's only a number and his long term health is what's really important.

Whatever the great man decides should be respected by all and sundry.

I don't think anyone would question his decision if / when he decides to retire. It is completely up to him - I am sure he has more information on the risks that he faces than 99.9% of people on Big Footy.

While I personally think some of the commentary on those risks has been overblown / overly emotive (somewhat along the lines of if he quits now he will somehow be pefectly fine but if he plays on he will very likely end up with serious health concerns) - I guess in some ways it reflects the huge uncertainty that exists even in the medical community about the long terms effects of concussions. And of course no one wants anything bad to happen to Browny.

I too for selfish reasons would like to see him play on (if the risks aren't large and he wants to) - I think he still easily makes the Lions a better team with his presence and contribution despite what some people think. He is also hugely beneficial to our younger guys playing. And it would be great for Lions fans in Brisbane and Melbourne to get to give him a proper farewell.

However, for the first time I am starting to think that he really may retire given the nature of the comments Leppa is being quoted as saying on the Lions website today.
http://www.lions.com.au/news/2014-06-19/brown-owes-nothing-leppa

Look, Browny is absolutely my favourite Lions player. He has been awesome for our Club and will always be remebered as a great no matter what. He owes us nothing and we all want the best for him - part of me thinks he can still go on, but either way the call lies with Browny. I would absolutely back him to make the best decision for his future.

 

[chopperduck]

Would love to see him go on and finish the year, finish up on his terms. But obviously you cant always get what you want, and I would be more than happy if he chooses to give it away. I also think the health concerns have been overblown somewhat, he isnt facing anything that any other player isnt when lacing up this weekend, and the concern for Brown should not be so personalised. All thr players but themselves in harms way each game, and it's something sometimes easily forgotten.

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

Would love to see him go on and finish the year, finish up on his terms. But obviously you cant always get what you want, and I would be more than happy if he chooses to give it away. I also think the health concerns have been overblown somewhat, he isnt facing anything that any other player isnt when lacing up this weekend, and the concern for Brown should not be so personalised. All thr players but themselves in harms way each game, and it's something sometimes easily forgotten.

Maybe in terms of the risk of suffering a concussion that's right. But surely the point is what is the risk to his long term health of one more concussion, given the head injuries he has suffered in the past. Players who haven't suffered head injuries face an altogether different risk to those who have you would think.

 

[MacMum]

Story in the DailyMailOnline (US section) today re a retired footy player sueing NFL because of numerous concussions which have led to his dementia. He also apparently had an undiagnosed broken neck at some stage too.

Interesting story..

 

[Gibbo_88]

Has he actually had that many concussions?

I can remember 5 - the three broken face head clashes, the weekend and the GF when Scotty Burns lined him up. I do realise that 5 concussions is still 5 more than you'd like.

Unfortunately it's not just concussions, head knocks that don't result in a concussion are a risk for CTE as well which someone was talking about earlier in this thread.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Browny getting to 600 goals was a real point of interest for me this year, but it seems a lot less important now.

I'd selfishly love a farewell game at the Gabba but would not be disappointed if he hung up the boots straight away.

I agree though with others that the media have been more than a bit over the top with their "it's time to go Browny" feeding frenzy this week. I couldn't give a flying **** what that blow-hard Mark McClure or soft as butter sook Matthew Lloyd think.

It's Browny's call, no one elses, and I fully support whatever decision he makes.

 

[James North]

Yeah, I personally think he's gotta retire immediately. He's given the Club way more than he needed to, and has already suffered a bunch of head blows.

There are way more important things in life than "the sport of AFL".

 

[Ironmonger]

Yeah, I personally think he's gotta retire immediately. He's given the Club way more than he needed to, and has already suffered a bunch of head blows.

There are way more important things in life than "the sport of AFL".

I have this feeling that I'll always be nervous watching him play from now on, if he does play on.

 

[Nunez]

I'd love to see him kick goal 600. In saying that I love the bloke like we all do and his health for Kylie and the kids are a lot more important.

 

[DangerSloane]

Hey guys sorry to intrude but just wanted to say its going to be a very sad day when Browny no longer pulls on the boots for the Lions.

He's been a great player, and a very fair and respected one at that.
Fearless, courageous and alot more skilled than most give him credit for.

Hope its not the end, and he at least gets to say goodbye at the Gabba.

 

[pulpdriver]

Was looking forward to seeing him at the G one more time. I thought round 21 would be the last time I'd see him live. Or more appropriately a farewell game for Lions fans at the Gabba. Won't begrudge him if he decides it's time though. He's earned that right. Has given everything to the club.

 

[Skoob]

SNIP*
While I personally think some of the commentary on those risks has been overblown / overly emotive (somewhat along the lines of if he quits now he will somehow be pefectly fine but if he plays on he will very likely end up with serious health concerns) - I guess in some ways it reflects the huge uncertainty that exists even in the medical community about the long terms effects of concussions. And of course no one wants anything bad to happen to Browny.
SNIP.

I don't recall anyone making this type of statement.

Would love to see him go on and finish the year, finish up on his terms. But obviously you cant always get what you want, and I would be more than happy if he chooses to give it away. I also think the health concerns have been overblown somewhat, he isnt facing anything that any other player isnt when lacing up this weekend, and the concern for Brown should not be so personalised. All thr players but themselves in harms way each game, and it's something sometimes easily forgotten.

Only going from memory (admittedly not great), but my vague recollection from a TV story about Greg Williams and Ian Robertson is that while the brain injuries they suffer from can occur from a single blow, the risk is higher with continued or repeated blows. I don't think it overblown to suggest that Browny has had more than his share, or that he is in a higher risk category than other players.
From here he could be fine, even with another knock, or he could suffer as a result of past injuries whether he plays on or not. For me, I guess the concern is for the unknown, but I think there is little doubt that he falls into a high risk category and that risk increases with every knock.

 

[chopperduck]

Still feel as though he is no different to any other player. Whilst I acknowledge repeated hits to the head increases risk of injury, there is a bloke out there nearly every week getting hit in the head, and there is no big questions on them playing again.

Just feel it's been a bit over done with the media. Certainly not trying to put a case forward of he should be fine, just play on. He has done so much for the club, there is no need for him to pay the ultimate price. Likewise if he sees out the year, ill be behind him. I can just sense that if he plays on, there will be media scrutiny, which will suck because he deserves better for his last season.

 

[Groo2]

Was great to see Garry Wilson on that Mike Sheehan interview the other week. Didn't seem to be showing any outward affects of long term damage from his playing days. Hopefully Browny wasn't watching and thinking "see the Flea came through ok, I'll be right". Wilson could be like that one smoker who makes it healthy into their 90's.

 

[Last of the Roys]

I don't recall anyone making this type of statement.

No one has directly said that - but I just get a general feeling across numerous threads on Big Footy as well as in the media of a signficant over-simplification of what is a complex, uncertain and unsettled area of medical science.

There is no doubt concussion / hits to the head lead to a higher risk of brain related problems. And that multiple concussions make that risk a lot higher. But we here have got no real idea what those risk levels actually are (or even the starting point), and I dare say the medical community are only just starting to seriously look at the issue themselves so I seriously doubt they can put an accurate number on it either.

Yeah they have started to do studies and there are some scary stories that have been written about the NFL and other sports (even soccer players who have headed the ball their whole life). Obviously it needs to be investigated a lot more - but the AFL's current approach seems like it is the best given our current knowledge (apparently often it is getting a second concussion shortly after an initial one that can lead to big problems).

I mean you can throw your hands up and not play any contact sports, you can ignore the risk altogether (like millions of people across the world have basically done throughout history up until pretty recently) or you can just get the most up to date advice from doctors and try to weigh up the potential risk vs. rewards of playing on.

 

[Mazza44]

With Brown expecting the birth of his child this week I think some perspective will run through his mind and he will choose to retire. He has given us absolutely everything and God knows where this club would be if he left us when big money was on the table for him.

I was really hoping he would reach 600 goals as well as a chance to see him one last time against Geelong but I will take 10 laps of honour before the Collingwood game at the MCG whilst he holds all three premiership cups as an adequate substitute .