underestimating ?

[Chops_a_must]

That's just crap. Okay, he had some clangers, but he's not getting the same ball a Headland or Tarrant might get. Often Browne is in and under and getting the hard ball.

See how hard it is to hit targets when you are constantly stop/starting your football career. I'll go as far to say that when we actually saw Browne at his peak, he was just as good as Haselby. Big call I know, but if he had only missed 10 games instead of 50+, we'd consider him to be one of our elite midfielders.

Just nonsense.

 

[Kram]

See how hard it is to hit targets when you are constantly stop/starting your football career. I'll go as far to say that when we actually saw Browne at his peak, he was just as good as Haselby. Big call I know, but if he had only missed 10 games instead of 50+, we'd consider him to be one of our elite midfielders.

Dear lord.. he is a very, very ordinary footballer, some people need to accept it FFS.

 

[4n20]

Dear lord.. he is a very, very ordinary footballer, some people need to accept it FFS.

TBH,he hasnt impressed me a great deal at all but Freo must see something in him for him to be retained on the list. I know, as a club, we are moving forward with a youth policy as such, but i would have preferred holding on to the Wiz instead of Browne. The club must have their reasons though.

As for people underestimating the teams chances this season...good....i hope all the other clubs are too.

 

[Kram]

^The thing is I really like Browne and would love nothing more than for him to make it at AFL level.. I just think it is very unlikely.

He still has a very lucky chance, here's hoping,,

 

[Side Bet]

While AFL is not fair, and some players never get a chance I'd still like to say "he hasn't had a fair go yet"

He looked composed and contributed in one or two games only, that said I thought Browne would be good a few years ago. God knows we need the depth - I rate him and still hope for good things.

We need someone to make a list of supporters and knockers and re-evaluate at the end of 2009.

It's easy to diss players and not be held accountable...

 

[dominguez]

I'll go as far to say that when we actually saw Browne at his peak, he was just as good as Haselby. Big call I know, but if he had only missed 10 games instead of 50+, we'd consider him to be one of our elite midfielders.

Surely you're taking the piss?

 

[E Shed]

I don't think you did watch the game but if you did you are a relative or girlfriend to think he played well that night.

Good WAFL player, dud in the AFL.

Then you are wrong.
How about you've got your opinion and I've got mine. Works for me.

Perhaps because I've watched a fair bit of him at Claremont I want him to succeed but I don't think he's anything like as bad as some of you make out.

I've seen him in the WAFL vacuum the ball out of the centre, take a a couple of bounces and hit a leading target lace out off his left with a bullet over 40M. That's not someone who can't play or is some kind of hack.

I'm not saying he's going to win the Brownlow but I believe he can play a role this year. He's hard bodied mature and can win some hard ball. It annoys me when people here call our players hacks or useless. Every single one of them is on an AFL list which is more than most of us have done.

 

[matt_nicholls]

Sorry lads, I obviously didn't word my recent statement regarding Browne and Haselby comparisons very well.

What I meant was I have watched Browne closely over this seven year tenure and there have been numerous times when I have thought to myself, "Wow, how good could this guy be?", then see him break down the next week.

He has never been as good as our #4, and never will be, but he shows so much potential for a young man who has never played more than 10 consecutive AFL games.

Considering our midfield has perennially been the weakest link over the years, I think Browne has a place at FFC. This is his last year should he not get on the park for more than 15 rounds, but he's a gamble worth taking.

Hopefully Hase returns to his best and our midfield starts to fire like the glory times of late 2004 and 2006. I'm just hoping to hear this from the commentary box at least 50 times this year.

Sandilands palms the balls down to Haselby, who fires out a handball to a fast running Palmer, who uses his pin-point left foot to hit Pavlich lace out 40 metres from goal directly in front.

Obviously we have plenty of midfield options now, including Hase, Pav, Palmer, Mayne, Headland, Schammer, Mundy, Foster, Solomon, Ibbo etc. etc.

Browne may not be in our starting 22, but if fit, I know he can come into the team and fill a role.

We turned over 13 players from the start of 2008 season, including Bell, Carr and McManus - arguably our three most courageous midfielders in the last three seasons. (Yes I hate Carr now but I loved him when he was up and running). I think Harvey and the coaching staff had to keep someone like Browne, because there is every chance we could get more injuries, and the likes of Hill, Suban etc. are probably not up to performing in their first seasons like Palmer and Mayne were.

Keeping someone like Browne, who wouldn't be on much money, was a good calculated move. I'm hurting about the loss of the Wiz as much as every other Freo supporter, but I think it was probably the right time to part ways. Hopefully Ballantyne can re-invent the Purple Jesus.

 

[Lach72]

Keeping someone like Browne, who wouldn't be on much money, was a good calculated move. I'm hurting about the loss of the Wiz as much as every other Freo supporter, but I think it was probably the right time to part ways. Hopefully Ballantyne can re-invent the Purple Jesus.

I'm not hurting at all...
Browne will play out the year, play 5-6 games and be dumped

 

[greenred]

I'm not hurting at all...
Browne will play out the year, play 5-6 games and be dumped

I wouldn't be so sure. I see it going more like this :

Browne will play out the year, play 5-6 games and be re-signed to yet another 1 year contract.

 

[malpaso]

Re: uderestimating ?

I'd rather misunderestimate and get a pleasant surprise than messoverestimate and cop another kick in the belly...

I'm planning on enjoying this season week by week, watching all the new kids develop under a superstar like Pav, with good support from McPharlap and Sandi, Hase and Des, Groves and Hayden - and seeing Rhys, Ibbo, Chopper, Hinks, Fossie - even Schammer and Mundy TBH, all take it to the next level...

Any finals action that may eventuate will be a bonus. [I might not be so generous next year.]

Well said IP.

Agree completely and I would add that at the end of last year the players had Harvey's stamp on them, they played more as a unit and never gave up. I hope to see that show at the beginning of this year and continue throughout which would lead me to think that they will hopefully grab some games by the scruff of the neck in the second half.

 

[Chops_a_must]

Considering our midfield has perennially been the weakest link over the years, I think Browne has a place at FFC. This is his last year should he not get on the park for more than 15 rounds, but he's a gamble worth taking.

Given our midfield has been shit for years.

Given Browne has been a midfielder for us for years.

Hmmm.... there has to be some logical deduction to take from that...

 

[matt_nicholls]

Given our midfield has been shit for years.

Given Browne has been a midfielder for us for years.

Hmmm.... there has to be some logical deduction to take from that...

Bit harsh Chops.

I'd be pointing the finger at players like Schammer, Headland etc. who have played a lot more footy for Freo in the same period of time, but have yet to take games by the scruff of the neck on a regular basis.

Not saying Browne is better than those two, but he's certainly not to blame for our midfield woes.

Let's not forget about the lack of pace we've had in the centre - Hase, Bell, Carr, Macca etc.

Browne at least has a bit of toe, and its good to see blokes like Palmer just electrify things in the centre.

 

[Chops_a_must]

Bit harsh Chops.

I'd be pointing the finger at players like Schammer, Headland etc. who have played a lot more footy for Freo in the same period of time

Lol.

No shit.

Not saying Browne is better than those two, but he's certainly not to blame for our midfield woes.

Nope.

But he is certainly a big part of those problems.

And probably the biggest problem when it comes to our available midfield depth.

Not much good being a depth player, and better at taking games by the scruff of the neck, if your hammies are blowing out every 2 weeks.

 

[Kickett Punches Read]

TBH,he hasnt impressed me a great deal at all but Freo must see something in him for him to be retained on the list. I know, as a club, we are moving forward with a youth policy as such, but i would have preferred holding on to the Wiz instead of Browne. The club must have their reasons though.

As for people underestimating the teams chances this season...good....i hope all the other clubs are too.

i loved jeff as a player, however he had every opportunity over the past two seasons to show that he wanted to play, and he still couldnt keep himself out of trouble on the field, a disciplined, hard training, injury prone browne in my opinion is a better option than keeping a constantly ill disciplined jeff farmer as much as we all loved having him in the team, he proved time and again that he wasnt prepared to keep himself out of trouble

 

[Ysaye]

Bit harsh Chops.

I'd be pointing the finger at players like Schammer, Headland etc. who have played a lot more footy for Freo in the same period of time, but have yet to take games by the scruff of the neck on a regular basis.

Not saying Browne is better than those two, but he's certainly not to blame for our midfield woes.

Let's not forget about the lack of pace we've had in the centre - Hase, Bell, Carr, Macca etc.

Browne at least has a bit of toe, and its good to see blokes like Palmer just electrify things in the centre.

Be careful Matt - Schammer is sacred property on this board and suggesting that he is not as good as everyone would like him to be will likely be held against you.

For what it's worth, I reckon if Browne can stay injury free, he will go in and out of the team in 2009. so-so player who has been on AFL list for a while, but will be needed with the loss of experience.

The glaring problem is the midfield depth. It's a silly game but I keep trying to recite names of midfielders who are going to match it with the best. It goes something like:

Palmer
Hasleby (but he has been injured for a while)
*thinks a bit*...
...
Headland (Great when he is up and going but bad when not)
Ibbotson (Classy but inexperienced. Also played in Heath Blacks role towards the end of the season)
....
...
Mundy? (Not really a proven midfielder yet but classy and great hope for him. Can be a bit up and down)
....
Hill? (Hang on he hasn't even played a game yet!!)
...
..
Schammer, Crowley (Yes they give their all, but not exactly cream of the crop stuff)
...
...
hmmmm....
...
Peake? Oh thats right he was the last player that we had high hopes for and didn't work out, mainly because of his kicking.

In comparison, look at the comparable midfields of Geelong or the Bulldogs or Hawthorn.

 

[matt_nicholls]

Be careful Matt - Schammer is sacred property on this board and suggesting that he is not as good as everyone would like him to be will likely be held against you.

For what it's worth, I reckon if Browne can stay injury free, he will go in and out of the team in 2009. so-so player who has been on AFL list for a while, but will be needed with the loss of experience.

The glaring problem is the midfield depth. It's a silly game but I keep trying to recite names of midfielders who are going to match it with the best. It goes something like:

Palmer
Hasleby (but he has been injured for a while)
*thinks a bit*...
...
Headland (Great when he is up and going but bad when not)
Ibbotson (Classy but inexperienced. Also played in Heath Blacks role towards the end of the season)
....
...
Mundy? (Not really a proven midfielder yet but classy and great hope for him. Can be a bit up and down)
....
Hill? (Hang on he hasn't even played a game yet!!)
...
..
Schammer, Crowley (Yes they give their all, but not exactly cream of the crop stuff)
...
...
hmmmm....
...
Peake? Oh thats right he was the last player that we had high hopes for and didn't work out, mainly because of his kicking.

In comparison, look at the comparable midfields of Geelong or the Bulldogs or Hawthorn.

Good post.

I don't know why Scham is a protected species on this thread. I don't like having a crack at our own players but for mine, he, Peake and Murphy have been our most disappointing players in the last couple of years. Yes, they are not the worst on our list, but this trio have all shown a lot of promise but failed to go on.

It's scary to compare Geelong's midfield (Ablett, Selwood, Bartel, Corey, Ling) with ours.

But I think our key forwards (Pav, Taz, DJ) and key backs (McPharlin, Grover, Johnson) plus ruckman are just as adequate, if not superior in parts.

 

[Eastern Rangers]

It's always the same, if you look at the positives win essential and close games you can make the eight. But you need to have a good season, 8-12 for fremantle is where you should be aiming to finnish.

Same goes for Westcoast for that matter.

 

[Chops_a_must]

I don't know why Scham is a protected species on this thread.

He certainly isn't on this board.

 

[Kickett Punches Read]

Be careful Matt - Schammer is sacred property on this board and suggesting that he is not as good as everyone would like him to be will likely be held against you.

For what it's worth, I reckon if Browne can stay injury free, he will go in and out of the team in 2009. so-so player who has been on AFL list for a while, but will be needed with the loss of experience.

The glaring problem is the midfield depth. It's a silly game but I keep trying to recite names of midfielders who are going to match it with the best. It goes something like:

Palmer
Hasleby (but he has been injured for a while)
*thinks a bit*...
...
Headland (Great when he is up and going but bad when not)
Ibbotson (Classy but inexperienced. Also played in Heath Blacks role towards the end of the season)
....
...
Mundy? (Not really a proven midfielder yet but classy and great hope for him. Can be a bit up and down)
....
Hill? (Hang on he hasn't even played a game yet!!)
...
..
Schammer, Crowley (Yes they give their all, but not exactly cream of the crop stuff)
...
...
hmmmm....
...
Peake? Oh thats right he was the last player that we had high hopes for and didn't work out, mainly because of his kicking.

In comparison, look at the comparable midfields of Geelong or the Bulldogs or Hawthorn.

most would have expected schammer to have come on by now, but in the second half of last year, he was a clearance machine and i think started to really show his potential, the moment he was given the centreman responsibilities he started to get his confidence up, and then of course his skills picked up... i think schammer will be an important fixture for us in the future

as for crowley, other than ling and cornes, i cant think of a better tagger, he also chimes in with some handy goals, personally i think by the end of 09 he could prove to be the best stopper in the comp

 

[Split Personality]

most would have expected schammer to have come on by now, but in the second half of last year, he was a clearance machine and i think started to really show his potential, the moment he was given the centreman responsibilities he started to get his confidence up, and then of course his skills picked up... i think schammer will be an important fixture for us in the future

as for crowley, other than ling and cornes, i cant think of a better tagger, he also chimes in with some handy goals, personally i think by the end of 09 he could prove to be the best stopper in the comp

Totally agree with Crowley, absolutely essential to our midfield. Great tagger who can turn offensive when needed and loves a bit of niggle!

Scham used to really disappoint me, but i think it was the essendon game (correct me if im wrong) he put his head over the ball and got crunched. Won my respect instantly! Think he played quite well second half of 08, looking forward to him improving again.

All said tho.... still think our mids and half forwards are our weakest links.

 

[4n20]

most would have expected schammer to have come on by now, but in the second half of last year, he was a clearance machine and i think started to really show his potential, the moment he was given the centreman responsibilities he started to get his confidence up, and then of course his skills picked up... i think schammer will be an important fixture for us in the future

as for crowley, other than ling and cornes, i cant think of a better tagger, he also chimes in with some handy goals, personally i think by the end of 09 he could prove to be the best stopper in the comp

I agree, he stepped it up a notch, thats for sure, just needs to continue this form into the coming season.
Season Highlights

23 disps (14 kicks 9 hballs), 5 marks, 4 tackles and a goal in Rd 22 24-pt win over Collingwood at Subiaco (29 Aug 2008)

24 disps (13 kicks 11 hballs), 4 marks and 8 tackles in Rd 18 33-pt win over West Coast at Subiaco (3 Aug 2008)

27 disps (13 kicks 14 hballs), 4 marks and 7 tackles in Rd 17 28-pt win over Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium (27 Jul 2008)

27 disps (16 kicks 11 hballs), 3 marks, 6 tackles and a goal in Rd 16 46-pt win over Melbourne at Subiaco (20 Jul 2008)

 

[Kickett Punches Read]

I agree, he stepped it up a notch, thats for sure, just needs to continue this form into the coming season.
Season Highlights

23 disps (14 kicks 9 hballs), 5 marks, 4 tackles and a goal in Rd 22 24-pt win over Collingwood at Subiaco (29 Aug 2008)

24 disps (13 kicks 11 hballs), 4 marks and 8 tackles in Rd 18 33-pt win over West Coast at Subiaco (3 Aug 2008)

27 disps (13 kicks 14 hballs), 4 marks and 7 tackles in Rd 17 28-pt win over Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium (27 Jul 2008)

27 disps (16 kicks 11 hballs), 3 marks, 6 tackles and a goal in Rd 16 46-pt win over Melbourne at Subiaco (20 Jul 2008)

cheers for the stats, they show that the potential is there, he just needs confidence, im not sure everyone really appreciates how much his illness knocked him around... im looking forward to a good year from him in 09 hopefully a top 5 in the b&f.

 

[estibador]

Maybe I should go bump a thread on the eagles board from Jan 08 when you all thought you were going to be a force that year?

No wait, I wouldn't do that. Because that would just be sad.

 

[happy_eagle]

Always changing the subject to us, the bigger, better older brother