I am curious; where do you think Nathan Brown is at in his development after 30 games?

[greening22]

After the start of last year I had some cause for optimism with Nathan Brown as a key defender at the club. However since then, and especially this year, he seems to be struggling in many aspects of the game. The latter includes his decision-making; his kicking - as was shown a few times on Monday night; and his ability to cope with fast-leading forwards. I reckon that next Sunday is a big test for him as he really needs to stand up and help Prest if Fevola actually plays and starts kicking goals. On one hand I do not think he is a really effective stopper, and on the other he does not get the ball enough to be an offensive backman; averaging only 8 dispoals a game. What do you think? Would he be worth some time in the forward line just to give him a new lease of life?

 

[magman29]

might be worth a try to swap him over with Cloke for a game or two.

 

[King Woodie]

He does seem like he would make an okay forward, given he is fast, strong, fit, and his set shots for goal thus far have been dead straight.

However, he is the long term answer down in defense, and the club will not move him from that position, otherwise our longer term key defensive issues will even more dire.

His kicking was terrible on Monday night, but he has excellent technique, so I am not sure what it is.

He will come good.

 

[Pies_10]

I still think he will make a real good defender 30 games isn't many games lets give him more time.

 

[Kirby]

He had an ordinary game on Monday night but had been quite good in the two previous games. I wouldn't over worry about him.

He does need to think about where he kicks the ball more though. He needs to improve that aspect of his game.

 

[shawthing09]

He had an ordinary game on Monday night but had been quite good in the two previous games. I wouldn't over worry about him.

He does need to think about where he kicks the ball more though. He needs to improve that aspect of his game.

In defence of the OP the last 2 weeks it wasn't as much that he beat a dangerous key foward as 1 beating an out of form and then dropped Scott Lucas. I actually don't think his beaten a key foward for a game in a while.

That all said I think people's expectations of him are ahead of where he should be in his development. He did a couple of stand out jobs last year. That however was well and truely above and beyond the standard of football he should be playing. Key defenders take time. He certainly needs to get smarter with his positioning and blocking on the faster fowards. He still probably needs to tone down on the strength work as I suspect his probably a tad top heavy. He will get there and learn the ropes and one of the ways he will do that is by being beaten.

What we are seeing is a kid who looked like a ready made rock in a very hard position actually showing his inexperince. He will be fine he has everything it takes to make a stand out key defender that you can build your backline around, he has shown as much with some of the jobs he did do early last year.

 

[Franky_D]

Not worried at all about this kid, is going to be a really good back for us in years ahead. He would be even better if we our mids and fowards put some presure on. When u just run he ball out of defense with ease what do u expect. Not every team is like collingwood and plays slow and cant kick to their fowards advantage.

 

[HFF]

Development is coming along nicely.

As you say, he has ONLY played 30 games. Players begin to flourish further after 50 games under their belts. He is also a key position player which takes longer.

Not many sides, if any, have a 20-21 yr old FB/CHB currently in their best 22.

However, whilst it is his third year at our club, it is effectively his second playing year. To me, it is part of the dreaded "second year blues" that he is suffering a little from.

His body is still developing too so once he matures further he will have a better understanding in every facet of the game.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Coming along very well. Would prefer he spent some more time up forward to broaden his apprenticeship.

Would have liked Reid in the side against StKilda - with his pace and mobility he may have been a good matchup for Riewodlt and may have allowed Brown to become a forward option.

 

[#1 pies]

He does seem like he would make an okay forward, given he is fast, strong, fit, and his set shots for goal thus far have been dead straight.

However, he is the long term answer down in defense, and the club will not move him from that position, otherwise our longer term key defensive issues will even more dire.

His kicking was terrible on Monday night, but he has excellent technique, so I am not sure what it is.

He will come good.

Hope you're right, cause he has been crap this year compared to last! We need him to come good cause our defence is lacking.

 

[Quicky]

I think that he will be fine. There are not many KPD's Browns age that are going as well as he is. Patience is the key here, he will just take time to develop. I've got little doubt that he will come good and be a long term FB at Collingwood. I just hope people don't jump all over him when he plays poorly now and then. On moving him into the forward line I think it's a good idea short term especially with Presti in the team. Actually the next couple of weeks is the perfect time for him to play at CHF with Cloke out. Presti can stay at FB, Reid can come in and get some AFL level experience at CHB where he is being groomed long term, Brown at CHF and either Rocca or Anthony at FF.

 

[Barry Zuckercorn]

I rate Brown and he's the kind of young player we need at Carlton.

Straight swap for Jordan Russell anyone?

 

[Optimax]

better defender then glass and rutten at the same stage

 

[ozpie]

Brown is coming along nicely, he held down a key position for all of last year, playing against some of the best forwards in the game and did quite well.......i just wish reid and dawes were at the same level of development!
why dont u start a thread about them?

 

[smiddaz123]

He wasn't too bad on Kosi from memory...and didn't he beat Kurt Tippet?

He's a fantastic prospect in the backline imo.

 

[sloth6]

Has had a solid year without being outstanding but he been rarely beaten this year, he is also working with Presti back there full time. You can't really ask for from your key defender. The flankers should be providing the team with the drive from defence.

He is young and only played 30 games, so he is progressing really well.

He will be a star in two to three years and pivotatal to our make up in the years to come

 

[Parallel Andy]

Im guessing Dawes will come in to replace Trav, but I'd love to see Brown spend some time up there. He looks really good when he moves forward.

 

[Colin Wood]

I reckon Brown is going ok for a bloke whos only played 30 games.

I still think that Collingwood should pay James Clement a fistfull of $$$$S and get him at the Club as the Defensive Coach. Give him however much he wants, that guy was the best Defender we have had for many many years. Imagine how much Brown and Harry O would learn from a bloke like Clement!!

 

[Soups]

I think we sometimes forget that NB has actually played 30 games not 150. He is still learning the game at the top level. He has played on some of the most dominant forwards in the AFL and has done very well. In saying that, he has played on some of the weaker opposition forwards and has been dominated. He will be the core of our backline in 5 years time. I wouldn't mind seeing him in the forward line this week just to give him a feel of the footy. Because he is such a negator (like Presti) he is only getting a couple of kicks a game.

 

[RRRooocccaaa]

I remember a day where the family and I wandered into the Dome to watch Geelong v Western Bulldogs. Hell, it was cheap and we even managed to wander into the cheer squad. What a laugh.

Anyhoo, the whole day the cheer squad members were bagging out on Scarlett, calling him soft and slow. Look at him now!

Brown may or may not be anything like Scarlett, but I guarantee he'll be a pretty tough customer in 3-4 years time when his body is fully primed and his footy brain has had a couple of seasons of tactics crammed in. Jeez, he's already a monster and only 20 years old!

 

[The Dawes]

I remember a day where the family and I wandered into the Dome to watch Geelong v Western Bulldogs. Hell, it was cheap and we even managed to wander into the cheer squad. What a laugh.

Anyhoo, the whole day the cheer squad members were bagging out on Scarlett, calling him soft and slow. Look at him now!

Brown may or may not be anything like Scarlett, but I guarantee he'll be a pretty tough customer in 3-4 years time when his body is fully primed and his footy brain has had a couple of seasons of tactics crammed in. Jeez, he's already a monster and only 20 years old!

Spot on - key defenders take time to develop.

I recall Presti being towelled up many a time in his early days.

 

[Bay Pie]

Possibly 2nd year blues.

Yes, he's been on the list for 3 years but now, he's only in his 2nd year of AFL.

After a great year last year, expectations grew.

Brown and Reid for that matter will only get better with age and experience. They will be nearing their peak when in about 3 to 4 years.

Patience is required for all young KPP. Have a look at Gumbleton (injuries I know), Hansen & Thorp.

All taken before Reid & Brown in the same draft.

 

[Return of the Pies]

I don't see what was so bad about his game the other night. Kosi has been in outstanding form and we were getting smashed through the midfield. Even Presti played ok and had 5 kicked on him. Kosi v Brown was essentially a 0-0 draw. You would be struggling to name 10 30 game players who have achieved more at the moment.
He is ahead of where the club would have expected him to be when they drafted him.

 

[Jabso]

I don't see what was so bad about his game the other night. Kosi has been in outstanding form and we were getting smashed through the midfield. Even Presti played ok and had 5 kicked on him. Kosi v Brown was essentially a 0-0 draw. You would be struggling to name 10 30 game players who have achieved more at the moment.
He is ahead of where the club would have expected him to be when they drafted him.

His 3rd man up spoiling was pretty good also.

 

[bigman100kg]

Some people on here a bit harsh on him. Everytime I've seen him play he has been impressive in his effort and usually with his performance too.

Played basically a season and a half, and every week he plays on one of the top 25 or 30 players in the game. How many other 20 year olds do that? Most good players that age eg. Boak run around by themselves and rack up alot of easy kicks bc they got stars to hide behind who get tagged etc.

NB has nowhere to hide. People seem to chant that KP forwards and ruckmen need years to develop, why not give him the same grace? I guarantee you every single club would give him a spot on their list.