Tim O'Brien: Corner turned. 2yr extension announced.

[SSSSSS]

Few more games in and he will start to believe. I'm starting to believe myself.

Has the athleticism.
Has the skills.

What he has always lacked was all between the ears.

 

[KermitJagger]

When he plays with confidence he has good hands, a beautiful piercing kick and is assertive with his athleticism.

More of this Timmy, just think of how you can contribute to the proud redhead footy tradition.

 

[Dewnior]

He was okay, but he actually dropped some easy marks.

So did half the team

 

[StillAtLarge]

I think a lot of us are overrating Tim's game. He got done in the contest by Petracca, McDonald and Hunt which led to 2 Melb goals and if the underwater specialist hadn't shanked his set shot soda it would've been 3. Sure, he had one or two nice moments but they didn't cancel out his deficiencies imo

 

[tommyk72]

When Frawley is ready, who makes way? TOB or Brand? Looking more like Brand in the last few games. I've always thought he was more solid, but he has made some rookie errors that have costs goals in the last week or so. TOB looks a little better.

 

[Spursfan]

When Frawley is ready, who makes way? TOB or Brand? Looking more like Brand in the last few games. I've always thought he was more solid, but he has made some rookie errors that have costs goals in the last week or so. TOB looks a little better.

TBH they're both filling a spot until we can get someone better back there. One will have slightly better game than the other one week then it will reverse the next

 

[Hookster]

TBH they're both filling a spot until we can get someone better back there. One will have slightly better game than the other one week then it will reverse the next

Surely Shoey gets another go in the backline, just sayin they're not going so well down there.

 

[Millsie69]

Surely Shoey gets another go in the backline, just sayin they're not going so well down there.

Dear god I hope not....

 

[Nick the Pig]

When Frawley is ready, who makes way? TOB or Brand? Looking more like Brand in the last few games. I've always thought he was more solid, but he has made some rookie errors that have costs goals in the last week or so. TOB looks a little better.

Both TOB and Brand come out of our best 22 when Frawley and Scrim are fit. What TOB has done in the last couple of games at least is make sure that he has pushed past Mirra as the next back up in defence. He wasn't seen as such at the season's start

One positive TOB now has in his favour is that for a bloke his size he is versatile and can genuinly be used both forward and back. This is a trait Clarko loves (see Gunston) and it makes TOB quite a useful 19-22 on match day

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

I think a lot of us are overrating Tim's game. He got done in the contest by Petracca, McDonald and Hunt which led to 2 Melb goals and if the underwater specialist hadn't shanked his set shot soda it would've been 3. Sure, he had one or two nice moments but they didn't cancel out his deficiencies imo

Agree. The fact that people are talking up his games highlights how low his bar has been.

Expect this week will really show where he is at, with us having to deal with an in form Giants midfield and the best key forward in the game.

Our key defensive depth is weaker than any other part of our list. Hardly an AFL level player...

 

[Rowie6]

I thought TOB was great today again and will get better with each game down back! Which will probably mean the end for his mate Kaiden Brand!

 

[CHUBBSS]

Have to see he looks much better down back reading the play and with his speed it really suits his game. A few more weeks to build confidence and he may turn into a rebounding weapon with a penetrating kick!

 

[cryptor]

I thought TOB was great today again and will get better with each game down back! Which will probably mean the end for his mate Kaiden Brand!

Totally agree on his performance. Looked very sure of himself out there today. Got caught in the wrong position a few times but for the most part he was a very solid performer today. Hopefully he can build on that in the coming weeks.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Needs to keep building his confidence.

Today was another good step in the right direction.

 

[Nick the Pig]

Hodge's comments were spot on during commentary. He lacks the body weight to compete against the big bodied forwards and will likely always do so but he has leap, agility, speed and is generally a good ball user out of defence. He can become a more than useful defender and has the added bonus that he is versatile enough to be swung forward if needed.

 

[caliente]

I like Brand and I saw Brand playing VFL today. He still makes critical errors where he loses his opponent totally resulting in a certain goal.

On this front O’Brien gives me less of a heart attack when the ball comes near him.

Has he found his role? - should be rewarded with more game time and hopefully keeps the improvement trajectory going.

 

[caliente]

Hodge's comments were spot on during commentary. He lacks the body weight to compete against the big bodied forwards and will likely always do so but he has leap, agility, speed and is generally a good ball user out of defence. He can become a more than useful defender and has the added bonus that he is versatile enough to be swung forward if needed.

Agreed - also has a long and penetrating kick

 

[Zack]

So did half the team

Given we must have or at least got close to the world record of marks in a quarter in the last quarter. We had a fair chance to drop a few. We were 64 with around 4 and a bit minutes left on the clock from memory.

 

[TylerDurden]

Was good today. Stays.

 

[Fluro Boots]

O' Brien is a great tackler for a man of his size. Brand from what I've seen is awful when the balls on the deck, don't see a future for him at Hawthorn past this year unfortunately.

 

[Brishawk]

O’Brien has afl attributes which he is beginning to bring together. Hope he co to use his improvement. Good reasons to be hopeful

 

[lethalselbow]

TOB was pretty handy again. Keep at it, Timmy!

 

[The German Hunter]

Anyone else as exited as me?
Timmy plays his 50th game next week! He will now be able to walk on water, part the seas and turn water into wine!

 

[eldorado]

O' Brien is a great tackler for a man of his size. Brand from what I've seen is awful when the balls on the deck, don't see a future for him at Hawthorn past this year unfortunately.

With Frawley over 30, Brand may be safe for a while...

 

[NiceJacketJeff]

As one of the 2 dozen people there today I liked what I saw from Tim. Good leap, agile and spots up well by foot. If he’s only required to take the 3rd tall he may have finally found his spot.
With Chip over 30 and Brand yet to be convincing, we are definitely still need of a quality tall defender.