Admittedly, I haven’t see a heap of Brander and the below post is just one person’s opinion, but this post from the Eagles’ board doesn’t make me overly keen on Brander:
“I don't hold out much hope for Brander becoming a genuine CHF/FF who can replace Kennedy or Darling. He's taken a few decent marks so far in his career, but I don't think he has the necessary aggression or confidence to play as a spearhead forward relied upon to take contested marks or kick goals consistently. As Jimmy mentioned, he's still yet to kick a goal at senior level.
His strengths are his pace, agility, hands and kicking skills for someone his size. As much as it is a dirty name around here, he has a lot of similarities with Jack Watts, who also struggled to fit in as a key forward at senior level.
I think his role ought to be as an intercepting and rebounding defender, similar to Andrew Mackie. I think Brander and Rotham are athletic enough to play in a backline alongside Gov and Barrass without it becoming too tall and slow, particularly once Hurn retires.
The alternative would be to play him as a high leading forward-cum-midfielder, similar to the role that Tom Lynch played at Adelaide alongside Walker, McGovern and Jenkins. Waterman seems to have this role sewn up, however.”
“I don't hold out much hope for Brander becoming a genuine CHF/FF who can replace Kennedy or Darling. He's taken a few decent marks so far in his career, but I don't think he has the necessary aggression or confidence to play as a spearhead forward relied upon to take contested marks or kick goals consistently. As Jimmy mentioned, he's still yet to kick a goal at senior level.
His strengths are his pace, agility, hands and kicking skills for someone his size. As much as it is a dirty name around here, he has a lot of similarities with Jack Watts, who also struggled to fit in as a key forward at senior level.
I think his role ought to be as an intercepting and rebounding defender, similar to Andrew Mackie. I think Brander and Rotham are athletic enough to play in a backline alongside Gov and Barrass without it becoming too tall and slow, particularly once Hurn retires.
The alternative would be to play him as a high leading forward-cum-midfielder, similar to the role that Tom Lynch played at Adelaide alongside Walker, McGovern and Jenkins. Waterman seems to have this role sewn up, however.”
