Drafting Brown will pay off: O'Brien

[Dave The Man]

COLLINGWOOD defender Harry O'Brien believes the Magpies' decision to throw experienced backman Leigh Brown a third AFL lifeline is one that will pay dividends.
Brown, 26, was recruited by the Pies at pick No.73 in Saturday's NAB AFL Draft, after being discarded by his second club, North Melbourne, at the end of the season.
O'Brien believes the former Kangaroo and Fremantle defender will slot in to the Magpies' back half well, and will lend a supporting hand to the club's crop of young backmen.
"He's fitted in superbly already, and it's like he's been there for more than the short amount of time he has," O'Brien told afl.com.au on Tuesday.
"I'm really looking forward to working with him in the backline. He's already shown us with his training that he's committed to success, which is what we're all committed to.
"Losing Shane Wakelin was a big loss for us, and to be able to replace him with someone who's played 181 games is a big gain for us."
Brown was training with the Magpies in the lead up to Saturday's draft, which gave O'Brien the chance to get to know his new teammate having not travelled to Arizona.
The Brazilian-born 22-year-old missed out on the US trip owing to end-of-season knee surgery that required careful rehabilitation.
"There were about 10 of us that stayed back and we trained very hard while the boys were training hard overseas," he said.
"I stayed back and trained, as I needed to have a clean out on both knees.
"I could walk after about two or three days, so it wasn't too bad. Now, I'm back doing everything; it was just the type of hiking they were doing that would have put too much stress on my knees.
"I could probably have achieved the same if I was here, so I didn't go in the end."
O'Brien, who played every game this year, said he had been suffering from knee soreness for some time before the double hit of surgery.
"I carried them throughout the majority of this season, and a bit of last year," he said.
"It's just wear and tear, and part and parcel of football."
While he was sad to miss the trip to Arizona, he believes the training program he stuck to back in Melbourne will have him in good stead to take part in the NAB Cup.
"I've been twice before, and I was a bit disappointed not to be with the boys," he said.
"But, everything happens for a reason and I certainly believe I'll get the same results from training back here."
O'Brien said he is looking forward to 2009 after a strong season this year where he placed fifth in the club's best and fairest.
"For me, I just want to continue to improve on what I did last year and on what I've done over my four years at the club," he said.
"I also just want to see everyone else improve from the young group that we have. That will be very rewarding."

Good to hear the Boys Support Leigh

Story Here

 

[ChipDouglas]

Good to hear the Boys Support Leigh

Story Here

Thats great but he's already slow and IMO he needs to lose some weight and get some body definition. When he changes his shape then I'll take him seriously.

 

[shawthing09]

Harry O just wants to be captain give it to him.

 

[Dave The Man]

Thats great but he's already slow and IMO he needs to lose some weight and get some body definition. When he changes his shape then I'll take him seriously.

Medder was the same in his 1st Pre-Season at the Pies

 

[Old Spice]

I'd back Harry as captain any day of the week, and twice on Sundays, after hearing him speak recently at an event, unscripted, for 5 minutes. A great communicator, great man and great player.

 

[donnie5]

i hope he's right doesnt really matter if he doesnt do to well anyway, we pretty much got him for nothing.

 

[choppa77]

yeah i noticed with medders his first year showed glimpses of good and so did Wood.

i think when a player comes to another club its really in there 2nd year at that club they start to play well.
im hoping this happens for Wood this year and Browny next year(and this year)
i really think 2010/11 are gonna be massive years for us

 

[Old Spice]

We've got to be in the hunt in the next 2-3 years I would think. L Brown for VC this year!

 

[mattys123]

Got a feeling Brown will play a lot of games as a key defender next year, as MM and crew see players like Goldsack, Maxwell and Shaw as more important players up the field, running off half back or even as defensive on ballers.

The long shot might actually pay off, and if it doesnt it means we rely on our young backline and Presto to get us through.

 

[Pie eyed]

Good to hear the Boys Support Leigh

Story Here

As long as he wears a black and white jumper he's one of us....
and I'll support him.

 

[conodie05]

I don't expect to see Leroy until at least Round 5 or 6 depending on form. I think we selected him as a back up if Presti, Goldy or Max gets injured. But then again he could be Dew-like and be a surprise package.

Just my opinion.

 

[mwalker]

"But, everything happens for a reason and I certainly believe I'll get the same results from training back here."

I thought that a strange comment to make. Unless he just means because of the injury he would not have gotten any benefit this year.

Reading the article I thought it meant training in Melbourne was just as good as the training they are doing over there. Seems to be the complete opposite of why they go. Slip of the tongue?

 

[Dynamics]

"But, everything happens for a reason and I certainly believe I'll get the same results from training back here."

I thought that a strange comment to make. Unless he just means because of the injury he would not have gotten any benefit this year.

Reading the article I thought it meant training in Melbourne was just as good as the training they are doing over there. Seems to be the complete opposite of why they go. Slip of the tongue?

Have to take it in the context of what he said immediately before that:

"it was just the type of hiking they were doing that would have put too much stress on my knees."

What he's saying is that if he'd gone to Arizona he wouldn't have been able to hike, so there was no benefit in going.

Oh, and I'd be delighted if Harry O was captain of Collingwood. He's a backline stalwart and will be there for a long time, is very well-spoken and intelligent, and seems like a bit of a leader. Depends on player relationships and what Mick thinks (amongst other factors) I guess.

 

[W. Smithers]

Good to hear the Boys Support Leigh

They're happy because their spots in the backline aren't under pressure anymore.

 

[Old Spice]

Oh, and I'd be delighted if Harry O was captain of Collingwood. He's a backline stalwart and will be there for a long time, is very well-spoken and intelligent, and seems like a bit of a leader. Depends on player relationships and what Mick thinks (amongst other factors) I guess.[/quote]

I'm with you there - the guy is a born leader and a champion bloke. Not sure what the internal dynamics are, but Harry is my man.

 

[Thommo 42]

As long as he wears a black and white jumper he's one of us....
and I'll support him.

same here.


(but preferably with a VFL logo on it)

 

[DoubleO7]

same here.


(but preferably with a VFL logo on it)

Same here. Hopefully the younger boys can keep him out of the first team.

 

[morax]

Good to hear the Boys Support Leigh

Story Here

Yeah, I'm sick of hearing the boys say

"who the **** is this twat, can't kick or hanball, Mick has lost his marbles for sure "

 

[AsianWithAFro]

I'd Harry as Captain his a good auritor and has natural leadership skills. wouldn't be suprised if he did get vice this year