Opinion Mitch Brown

[Vdubs]

What Brown showed today, IMO, is that he is no backman.

In half a game of footy where NM dominated us, with their 3 tall forwards, and thrashed us with quick direct kicking into their forward line, you've written him off already? That they scored 12 first/2 goals was emphatic, but Taylor & Lonergan were not exactly awe-inspiring in that period.

But, I would like to see him go forward next week if Pods gets the bye.

 

[Vdubs]

West's comeback to break even in the hitouts in the 2nd half was crucial.
He was significantly ahead of Smedts and Lonergan, as well as Brown.

And was given the privilege of 4q play time.

 

[footscore]

one thing I will admit in Brown though...he doesn't appear to have that mongrel element which makes Geelong the team they are but again, he's only starting out his AFL journey (6 games) so it may be something he finds in time along along with the confidence to trust his body after a few more pre seasons of pumping up in the weights room.

 

[AM]

But that's not necessarily how it has to work, if it's a constant rotation like it has been in previous years (particularly once we get to the easier section of the fixture). Remember the musical chairs game we had going in 2011, where Milburn was finally caught out when the finals started (he didn't play a single VFL game during the year)? I've already been advocating for this for during the games when the interchange cap comes in next year and teams will have a defender, a mid, a forward and a utility on the bench. How it can work if Brown shows he is capable at the level is to have a core defensive unit of seven, with Josh Hunt out indefinitely and the unit consisting of Taylor, Lonergan, Enright, Mackie, Rivers, Guthrie and Brown.

I’m not fussed how he’s kept in the ones. Just that he gets a run of games if the selectors see long-term value in him. History has shown he just hasn’t so far. If that continues he’ll be condemned to never feel part of the unit or fit into the team rhythm.

 

[AM]

In half a game of footy where NM dominated us, with their 3 tall forwards, and thrashed us with quick direct kicking into their forward line, you've written him off already? That they scored 12 first/2 goals was emphatic, but Taylor & Lonergan were not exactly awe-inspiring in that period.

But, I would like to see him go forward next week if Pods gets the bye.

The coach in his post game presser felt the two key backs performed okay. He specifically mentioned Harry where he said his offensive work was down but that he kept the dangerous Petrie fairly much in check.

 

[TheHonestyPolicy]

Apart from a couple of aerial mistakes, I thought when the ball hit the deck he was quite solid, even creative at times. I think given his lack of senior football I was more thinking I could see the positives and the light at the end of the tunnel for Brown. Others might disagree, but players and form is always a debatable issue.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

I’m not fussed how he’s kept in the ones. Just that he gets a run of games if the selectors see long-term value in him. History has shown he just hasn’t so far. If that continues he’ll be condemned to never feel part of the unit or fit into the team rhythm.

Couldn't agree more and I certainly don't think Carlton's a bad opponent to give Brown a crack at, especially if Waite and Betts are still out of the side (as you'd expect they would be).

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

My issue with Brown is that he seems to be another of something we already seem to have in abundance, in that third-man-up type. We NEED a third option for a key defender who can play one-out against a big forward. We saw Lonergan and Taylor get crapped on at various stages of the game today and really all they could do was to swap with each other. If Brown wants a career at Geelong he'll need to add that shut-down role to his repertoire, and that includes the willingness to throw his body into the contest. Yes he's had injuries, but he's supposedly fit now. Lonergan was one foot in the grave previously, and still had the balls to back into packs when he was brought in.

 

[Partridge]

Couldn't agree more and I certainly don't think Carlton's a bad opponent to give Brown a crack at, especially if Waite and Betts are still out of the side (as you'd expect they would be).

Unless they feel they need another specialist small defender (and Thomas gave ample evidence we might), and Guthrie and/or Josh Hunt is fit.

 

[Partridge]

In half a game of footy where NM dominated us, with their 3 tall forwards, and thrashed us with quick direct kicking into their forward line, you've written him off already? That they scored 12 first/2 goals was emphatic, but Taylor & Lonergan were not exactly awe-inspiring in that period.

Lonergan got thrashed by Petrie far worse than Brown did and Taylor wasn't sighted until after half time.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Unless they feel they need another specialist small defender (and Thomas gave ample evidence we might), and Guthrie and/or Josh Hunt is fit.

I'd be all for that. Guthrie into the backline, Poodle in to the middle as a tagger, where he belongs. It's a fair bet that, considering his activity since the start of the year, J.Hunt is a fair way off at this stage.

 

[The Casey Cat]

Has the ability but needs to get stronger.

He'll never 'get stronger'. He may well learn how to better position himself and attack contests so that his strength is not such an issue.

 

[Claude Balls]

He struggled yesterday because he had to play out of position. When he dominates in the VFL it isn't playing key defence against someone significantly heavier and stronger than him.

 

[Stokes-Selwood-Prismall]

Just a pathetic response to what I - and everyone around me - thought was a reasonable to strong performance first up in defence.

He was beaten twice in the air by Tarrant. One was off a great 50 entry kick which allowed Tarrant to hit the pack at full tilt. Mitch was playing in front - as he should - but given the angle of the kick in, it dragged them level and he got beat for pace. Doubt Lonergan or Taylor would've done much better there.
The other really looked as though West had it covered, admittedly, Mitch should've had more awareness to block out his opponent, but that will come with time.
He also got beaten by Wells' pace off an ordinary kick - suggesting that the lack of urgency he was showing was due to a lack of communication.
Other than that, he won every contest, a couple of them in very tricky situations, he spoiled half a dozen Tarrant marks in the first half and his disposal was good by hand. No issue with his game, plenty to work on, plenty of promise.

As for the premise of this thread, Lonergan was far worse in the first half and Smedts is probably in the cross-hairs this week after a poor display.

Get a ****ing grip everyone!

 

[Claude Balls]

Yep upon viewing Footscore's video, I reckon he was better than I first thought. And I never thought he was as bad as some are making out. "Pathetic", "Spud", "weak as piss" etc.

 

[SleazySimon]

Don't think he'll ever be our 3rd tall backman - I recon its Rivers and Bathie for that role.

I recon keep him as a forward, I don't think we have anyone else if Hawkins or Pods go down due to injuries.

He reminds me of Ryan Shoenmakers - both were drafted in 2008 at picks 16 and 17 respectively. Both skinny forwards learning to play down back.

 

[ChappyUK]

Sadly he's one of those players who is stuck in no mans land of being too good for the VFL but not good enough for AFL. Isn't the first and wont be the last

 

[FredLeDeux]

And was given the privilege of 4q play time.

Yes, that's true, it's just the luck of the (injury) draw, West had to keep playing because at present he's our only ruck option. Hopefully his 2nd half comeback today means he's turned the corner fitness-wise and will be back next week playing to his strengths in the centre square. It's still going to be a problem around the ground though, we need McIntosh.

 

[cynical]

nice vid footscore

Brown was only beaten twice in the air and was pretty good when the ball hit the deck. One play on the wing where he tapped the ball back to the other Geelong player was really smart.

I think too many just expect a key back to just be a caveman type like lonners. Brown just isn't that type of player.

You need guys who are skillful and who can kick. We were pretty lucky to get Taylor as a mature age but in reality there aren't a heap of really good KPD around.

The bigger stronger guys usually have rubbish skills. We have a guy with great skills but is on the light side and a bit soft due to multiple season ending injuries.

Give him a few years, with a bigger body and 20-30 games he will become a good player. In 3 years our back line will be decimated, good to have Brown developing over that period.

 

[dazbroncos]

Absolutely they did. So did just about everyone on our list. Lonergan was making us avert our eyes - as a key defender - as recently as 2010. Varcoe might as well have been in Row Z in some early games he was that far from the contest.

The block we have mid-year when we play Gold Coast and GWS could be that time. He needs consistent time to gain the confidence. He does have talent.

I posted in another thread the player we would have lost if we applied the " he's crap after 6 games lets cut him" theory.

Same applies here. Ne needs time and should get it.

Go Catters

 

[dazbroncos]

Mitch did fail at the wrong hand punch to spoil as Bluey calls it. So does 70% of the defenders in the league with over 100 games.
He did get out positioned on the Tarrant mark and then got subbed.
Overall it was not that bad a game. Not brilliant but not as spudish as some would have you believe.

Go Catters

 

[FredLeDeux]

Mitch did fail at the wrong hand punch to spoil as Bluey calls it. So does 70% of the defenders in the league with over 100 games.
He did get out positioned on the Tarrant mark and then got subbed.
Overall it was not that bad a game. Not brilliant but not as spudish as some would have you believe.

Go Catters

He wasn't very good, but he wasn't so bad that you could possibly say, after one game there, that he'll never make it and never deserves another shot at it.
Ruling a bloke out after 6 interrupted games of footy is simply loopy.
I'd still play Rivers next week if he's fit, though.

 

[THE CAT WRANGLER]

Rivers hopefully will be back and maybe Johno for ???????

 

[you pick one]

And was given the privilege of 4q play time.

What about the 4 points?

 

[Vdubs]

Yes, that's true, it's just the luck of the (injury) draw, West had to keep playing because at present he's our only ruck option. Hopefully his 2nd half comeback today means he's turned the corner fitness-wise and will be back next week playing to his strengths in the centre square. It's still going to be a problem around the ground though, we need McIntosh.

Don't hold your breath. HMac has not been relied upon for 3 years now, anything from him will be bonus.