Bluthy wrote:Crikey! Anyone think we aren't in top up mode anymore? Yep we are going for the chocolates - it just got real in here. And seeing as we have gone defcon 1 at a flag tilt, I can see the sense in this. With Goddard not sure when he'll be back, Brown can play on the number 1 gorilla forward (like Hawkins) and that lets Carlisle be more of an attacking weapon from the back with his strong intercept marking.
But lets not pretend there isn't a cost here. Playing Brown comes at the potential cost of the development of Goddard, Coughlan, Lee (if he stays on the list), White, Rice maybe even someone like Roberton who could have stepped up in responsibility but will probably have to defer to Dempster again this year. Plus Brown's kicking from what I've seen is not great. If we have Brown, Dempster, Geary, Gilbert all playing together that's some pretty ordinary kickers in the back half. Puts a lot of strain on Joey, Carlisle, Savage, Webster etc to be able to create play from the back. Teams are very good at isolating the bad kicks to cause turnovers (refer Dawson)
Not sure where White fits in now - might be played on the wing to get him into the team sometimes. I was hoping to see White and Rice both play a bit this year as they are good distributors from the back that we need but that may be delayed.
It's a gutsy move in some ways going for a 27 y.o injury ridden player. I'm still worried we are moving too quick without the necessary skilled talent but if he can pull off a flag this way Richo will be a genius and I will bow down to his wisdom in great humbleness. Interesting times.
It's amazing the amount of supporters who confuse Nathan's playing career with his brother's. Mitch is injury prone. Nathan isn't.
How exactly does getting Brown in to play on the monster forwards hurt Brandon White's development?
Hugh is going to need most of 2017 to build back up to where he was before the injury (and he was a long way being physically mature enough when he got hurt). Coughlan is a 3rd tall & is a rookie. He'll continue to develop at Sandy. Lee has had his chances & is most likely gone.
No matter what the club does some supporters will find something to criticise...
At worst Brown is a massive upgrade on Delaney. At best he allows Shinner & Carlisle to play their natural games.
