Praise for Braun

[brownbob]

This guy is Mr. Consistant. Every week he is running his guts out, presenting to the backmen, linking the midfield and carrying the ball to the forward fifty. He has been fantastic, and today he dug deep to make up for Kerr's absence.
Speaking of Kerr. We missed him badly today. His second, third and often forth efforts are a spur on to the team - he is such a goer, who just runs and runs until it really hurts. Gotta admire the guy.
Waters was missed today too. He might have been a good match for Robinson - I don't know why, but we always seem to struggle to match up on him. He hurt us again today. Waters has also become a linkman lately.
I hope both Kerr and Waters will be fine for the final next week.

We are always a bit flat after a derby. A lacklustre and frustrating game to watch today - well below our best, lacking the run of recent weeks, but great to be in the finals. Great to be the No 1 team in town as well.

 

[coasting]

As the 4th best midfielder he often gets the oppositions 4th best midfielder and carves him up.

 

[underthebridge]

if kerr and waters are ready for next week...who would be dropped?
really hard to make a decision, staker is the only one who played a game to forget, but he is a tall, and we shouldnt drop out of form talls for midfielders...
i hope not, but IF chick is to miss next week through injury, then it would be a straight swap....In: Kerr Out: Chick......but thats only IF.

 

[Mead]

if kerr and waters are ready for next week...who would be dropped?
really hard to make a decision, staker is the only one who played a game to forget, but he is a tall, and we shouldnt drop out of form talls for midfielders...
i hope not, but IF chick is to miss next week through injury, then it would be a straight swap....In: Kerr Out: Chick......but thats only IF.

In: Kerr
Out: Jones

 

[Cat_flying_high]

Fletcher deserves just as much praise as Brauny too. 72 disposals in 2 weeks, I can't be bothered getting the other stats but as everyone who's been watching knows, fletcher has been consistently phenomenal for the last, about, 6 weeks or so. I never realised either were as capable as playing as good as they have been lately. Both have been fantastic and really busted their guts out in the absences of other key midfielders (Cousins, Kerr).

 

[Mead]

Braun's average footskills prevents him from being an elite midfielder, but you can't argue with his place in the team or the job he does each round- just works like a mad bastard every week- basically he's McManus, except not sucky.

i think one of the few insightful things I've ever heard Gerard Healy say was during the derby when he suggested that Braun was the type of teammate you'd love to play alongside- hard at it, plays to the team rules and always backs his mates up.

 

[94_Eagles]

I think Fletcher has poor disposal too but he just get's so much of the damn footy.

I like Judd's delivery to the forwards but not his shooting for goal so much.

 

[andrew_embley]

Yup, no doubt BRAUN has really stepped up....

Reminds a bit/more dan a bit of '99 when we got the most votes in our B+F (n den lost on countback).....back then he was one of our best midfielders....


Really seems to hav put his injuries behind him!


And, yeah his foot skills hurt a bit...but everyteam has a few players who at times struggle to kick well

 

[Cat_flying_high]

I think Fletcher has poor disposal too but he just get's so much of the damn footy.

seriously? I thought Fletcher's disposal has been pretty good this year, almost always clean direct kicks. Am I blind or do I have the right idea?

 

[West Coast Fan 123]

In: Kerr
Out: Jones

Staker was pretty ordianry aswell, do you think he might be dropped?

 

[jess-jess]

Mead i think you're pretty spot on about Brauny. I actually see him as the heart of the team. He's always been about doing the team things and is always chatting away and keeping the boys spirits up both at training and on game day. His disposal can be dodgy at times but one thing with Brauny is that you know he will go and go and go no matter what.

Fletch too has been simply awsome. I think that has a lot to do with the fact that since Cuz has been injured he's been able to spend a lot more time in the middle. He effort over the last two weeks to rack up that many possessions and clearances is just amazing.This may be a big call but i actually view Judd, Kerr and Fletch more important to the team structure that Cuz.

 

[jess-jess]

Staker was pretty ordianry aswell, do you think he might be dropped?

i don't think Staker will be dropped unless there is another tall who can come in. I wouldn't drop a tall for a small.

 

[underthebridge]

jones wont be dropped..i think he had 16 touches, want great, but far from the worst..

 

[West Coast Fan 123]

jones wont be dropped..i think he had 16 touches, want great, but far from the worst..

He had a bit of the footy but his commitment wasnt great. As they said on fox footy he wasnt playing like a man fighting for a spot in the team (after he let Bruce take an easy mark). Regardless of whether he gets dropped or not this week, hes had a pretty average year and I dont think he will retain his vice-captaincy next year.

 

[94_Eagles]

i don't think Staker will be dropped unless there is another tall who can come in. I wouldn't drop a tall for a small.

[sarcasm]

Hansen... possibly?

[/sarcasm]

 

[jess-jess]

[sarcasm]

Hansen... possibly?

[/sarcasm]

i thought he was still injured and didn't realise he played a WAFL game this weekend. If he did play and went well then he's a big chance to be brought back in.

 

[brownbob]

Although he hasn't played a game in the blue and gold yet, I wouldn't be surprized if McConnell replaced Staker.

 

[West Coast Fan 123]

I doubt a first-gamer would get the go-ahead over Ash Hansen (who has proved he can play) in an elimination final.

 

[Ozgur]

You must be joking McConell to play in a final. We over the last 2 years went out of the finals.I think it is too dangerous to put a first gamer in a finals game. Let staker go and put in Hasen.

I think if chick goes out Kerr back in the side. GREAT game braun i didn't really know him untill the last 6 - 8 weeks he really is a good player.

GO EAGLES !!!

 

[brownbob]

There has been a precedent for putting a first-gamer into a final before. It is nothing new, and I'm not saying it will happen, but I wouldn't be surprized either. He is very mobile and killed Hansen a couple of weeks ago. If Chick fails to come up, and Morrison is under a cloud, we would need another tall that is versatile. O'Loughlin is a difficult match-up for us, and he usually plays well against us. Davis will be another problem.
We'll just have to wait and see. Looking forward to it.

 

[jess-jess]

said on the radio news sports update that Chick, Morrison, Kerr and Waters should all be fine to play for this weekend. Don't know how reliable a source it is though.

 

[brownbob]

If that is so then it is excellent news. I feel confident of a win all ready.

 

[Rock On]

I think he has been solid and very consistent and he has strong work ethic
One of those players will always give 110%.
for me
I would drop
Jones
Adkins

In
Kerr
Waters these two players will certainly add hardness to the team which is needed in finals.

Smokey B. Jones to come in if If morrison or chick do not come up 100 %
bit worried about cousins he did not kick through the ball a few times.
He also struggled with a bit of pace, If he is not 100% I would not play him.

 

[Voice of Reason]

I think Brauny has always played with great heart - even when his teammates weren't doing the hard yards away from home. However, his second half to this season has been outstanding and I actually think his disposal has improved.

I suspect a better training regime/less nagging injury concerns. Ironically, he's probably training less!

 

[jod23]

I wouldnt be surprised to see Braun go really close in our B&F. He has probably been our most consistent player over the entire season. Judd was on fire early, Fletcher late but Braun has been there all year. He is easily back to his best football and gives our midfield another dimension.