Welcome Tom Brown

[123cups]

You do understand it’s a forum for discussion?
Aren’t you supposed to be a moderator?
But you obviously prefer homogeneous fanboy discussions.
You’re welcome to hang out with your apologist mates instead of name calling those willing to challenge the status quo or perhaps even add some interesting observations on players rather than just dispute what others are saying.

Before the draft, I think most of us would've understood that only 2 or 3 of the 5 early picks would be likely to play more than 50 games.

Gibcus and Clarke are already looking decent, and Sonsie looks promising.

Do you expect all 5 to make it?

 

[Dont Argue]

Yes, but you still haven't answered the question, have you?
You haven't been name called. I've said your approach to judging a player is immature. It lacks nuance. The fact you've answered in that manner rather than answer the question probably says you're unhappy being challenged yourself.
So, why "ride" Brown? He hasn't asked to be picked, before, after any particular player. If anything, you gripe I think is with the recruiting staff.
Generally, for any player, are they allowed to build their performances after a lengthy lay-off through injury, or are you expecting they are at peak abilities immediately after returning to the park?

Of course it’s the recruiter’s responsibility, not the player.
That’s the nuance in my critique that you’ve missed but you seem to latch onto words. I’m not there at games actually riding him, I’m putting the acid on him to perform.
But I’m still prepared to critique Browns performance without fear of upsetting those who only want to hear good things. He may improve and I’ve clearly stated I hope he does but you seem incensed that I dare to comment on the current state of affairs.

 

[The_General]

Of course it’s the recruiter’s responsibility, not the player.
That’s the nuance in my critique that you’ve missed but you seem to latch onto words. I’m not there at games actually riding him, I’m putting the acid on him to perform.
But I’m still prepared to critique Browns performance without fear of upsetting those who only want to hear good things. He may improve and I’ve clearly stated I hope he does but you seem incensed that I dare to comment on the current state of affairs.

I think you're going too early. 2nd game back. I think Brown is overly maligned on these forums, because of who we could have taken rather than what we did. Why not ride our other picks from that draft?
I'm not saying the following is your opinion but not sure why Sonsie isn't getting as much negative attention (for example), other than people wanted Sonsie, they didn't want us to draft Brown.
One of those two seems to get a free pass, when clearly the coaching staff think he's got things to work on (he oozes talent, and if stepped up, no doubt would be good in our firsts).
The other gets critiqued because he's not getting enough of the ball and some say isn't a good enough kick. Thats particularly weird as he does that whilst simultaneously getting a bulk of his possessions from kick outs. Either our coaches think he can be damaging there, or they're deluded.

 

[Scoop]

Is that you Disco08? Sonsie has stared at VFL level, shown glimpses at AFL, played well in a AFL final. Brown has none of this. If you think the two are on similar pathways, I can’t help you.

 

[The_General]

Is that you Disco08? Sonsie has stared at VFL level, shown glimpses at AFL, played well in a AFL final. Brown has none of this. If you think the two are on similar pathways, I can’t help you.

2nd season mate. Brown might fail. He might become an all- Australian. We don't know.
All I'm asking is we give the kid a chance, and not single him out for "special attention", because we believe the club should have picked a different player.
Given the club has signed him, Banks and Clarke until the end of 25, they must see something we aren't able to, right? RFC are backing him for the long term.
Maybe the rest of us could try do the same?

 

[bullus_hit]

Before the draft, I think most of us would've understood that only 2 or 3 of the 5 early picks would be likely to play more than 50 games.

Gibcus and Clarke are already looking decent, and Sonsie looks promising.

Do you expect all 5 to make it?

9. Gibcus
17. Johnson
28. Sonsie
29. Howes
30. Clarke

Those were the picks I recommended at draft time, I reckon it was always possible to get a full house with that hand.

 

[tigerdell]

9. Gibcus
17. Johnson
28. Sonsie
29. Howes
30. Clarke

Those were the picks I recommended at draft time, I reckon it was always possible to get a full house with that hand.

Not to go over all ground but whars your take on Banks?
Sounds like he is making progress

 

[bullus_hit]

Not to go over all ground but whars your take on Banks?
Sounds like he is making progress

I hope so, generally wingmen either need express speed or pure gut running ability like KMac, Banks not a tearaway so it will come down to work rate. He may slot in somewhere in defence but there's plenty of competition for those spots so the path isn't so clear cut. It may be a waiting game until the retirements kick in.

 

[leon]

Spot on, huge growth spurt, it's usually 2-3cm at best.

Fyffe was similar. Huge growth spurt. It's basic but a good start to check out the parents' physiques e.g. the Blicavs offspring were a very good chance to be both tall and athletic with good ball-handling skills. What I'm saying is, if you do the research, through the interviews etc. ...

 

[leon]

I thought he looked fairly good today, he's a nice kick of the footy etc, but it comes down to that "need" question. Who would he replace in the AFL team? Those that play his position are Vlastuin and Broad. The only way he gets into the team over the next 2-3 years is through injury or if we trade Vlastuin for a good pick.

So we didn't need another flanker ... ? But maybe there was a young KPF with potential available?

 

[Tigers of Old]

Has had an unbelievably interrupted development so far. I’m not seeing much but it’s too small a sample. Just hoping for continuity in his footy.

 

[Scoop]

2nd season mate. Brown might fail. He might become an all- Australian. We don't know.
All I'm asking is we give the kid a chance, and not single him out for "special attention", because we believe the club should have picked a different player.
Given the club has signed him, Banks and Clarke until the end of 25, they must see something we aren't able to, right? RFC are backing him for the long term.
Maybe the rest of us could try do the same?

That's a completely different take to comparing him to Sonsie. I want him to make it, we spent a first round pick on him, we can't keep bumbling them.

The eye test is what matters now. So far I'm not seeing AFL traits. I'm not seeing a AFL footballer, I hope this changes.

 

[Mr Brightside]

We are a funny breed us football supporters , here we have a kid who has been injured for the majority of his time at Punt rd been written off for a variety of reasons , then we have another 2 who’s been in the system for 5 and 6 years and put in not much more then a few handy performances and they get talked up as Premiership players , each to their own of course , however geez give the kid a chance to get fit first , didn’t see any of the VFL on Sunday , however if Brown has found the footy over 20 times playing half back in his second game of the season ( have a think about that ) I’d say that’s a positive sign

 

[Dont Argue]

That's a completely different take to comparing him to Sonsie. I want him to make it, we spent a first round pick on him, we can't keep bumbling them.

The eye test is what matters now. So far I'm not seeing AFL traits. I'm not seeing a AFL footballer, I hope this changes.

Seems like some posters here look at stats rather than actually watching games.
Happy with themselves when they see disposals on a stat sheet without even factoring in kick ins.
I’m in full agreement with the eye test. Not seeing AFL intensity nor required competitive traits atm.
He needs a solid run of games and some confidence building performances. Things can turn around fairly quickly but sadly I’m not confident he’s got it.

 

[Brodders17]

I thought he looked fairly good today, he's a nice kick of the footy etc, but it comes down to that "need" question. Who would he replace in the AFL team? Those that play his position are Vlastuin and Broad. The only way he gets into the team over the next 2-3 years is through injury or if we trade Vlastuin for a good pick.

Prior to getting drafted his running and rebound was talked up, so no reason he couldnt play alongside Vlastuin as a running half back (form permitting obviously.) one report also talked up his half forward play so that might be an option

 

[toothless]

Prior to getting drafted his running and rebound was talked up, so no reason he couldnt play alongside Vlastuin as a running half back (form permitting obviously.)

At the expense of whom?

 

[Scoop]

We are a funny breed us football supporters , here we have a kid who has been injured for the majority of his time at Punt rd been written off for a variety of reasons , then we have another 2 who’s been in the system for 5 and 6 years and put in not much more then a few handy performances and they get talked up as Premiership players , each to their own of course , however geez give the kid a chance to get fit first , didn’t see any of the VFL on Sunday , however if Brown has found the footy over 20 times playing half back in his second game of the season ( have a think about that ) I’d say that’s a positive sign

I'm not writing him off. If he can string four or five really good VFL games this year, it's a step forward. I don't expect him to contribute at AFL level this year.. That's not a realistic expectation for 2023. A lot of kickouts in the number on the weekend. Also, I don't see what role he plays at AFL. He doesn't replace Broad, Vlastuin, Rioli or Short. Can he run enough to be a wing? Don't know. So I'm not sure what role and who he replaces at AFL level. And he now competes with James Trezise. It's a hard path for him.

 

[Brodders17]

At the expense of whom?

Hugo has played a lot of football down back this year so there will certainly be opportunities. Whether he is ready to take them this year is another matter.

 

[toothless]

Hugo has played a lot of football down back this year so there will certainly be opportunities. Whether he is ready to take them this year is another matter.

So at best a fringe player (8th defender behind Balta, Grimes, Broad, Vlastuin, Rioli, Short, & Baker) in front of Ralphsmith, Young, & Trezise, etc

 

[Leysy Days]

Not worried about us having a role for him. Least in the long term.

Grimes and lesser extent Broad have a couple of years left. Bakes has moved forward etc.

There will be opportunities if he is good enough. That is the only (big) question mark.