Shadeau Brain 2025

[lionshine]

What are everyone’s thoughts on Brain heading into 2025?

He has shown terrific development since being picked up as a rookie end of 2022, developing nicely throughout 2023 in the VFL and improving further in 2024 making his debut and playing 9 games.

He has several AFL level traits with his marking ability, skills by foot and hardness at the contest. The main issue we saw in some of his games this year was his lack of positioning and game smarts at times which will come with more experience. His form at VFL level was super impressive and he showed some of that quality in the AFL as well(His intercept marking in the 4th quarter against Sydney at the Gabba arguably got us across the line).

He looks a natural in that small defender role, however, with a clean bill of health in 2025, he will be sitting behind Starcevich, Answerth, Zorko, Coleman, Wilmot and McKenna. It is quite possible after 9 games in 2024 he doesn’t get a look in this season. Talent wise he is the type of player you could pump games into and see flourish, however, with the quality sitting in front of him and the club competing for premierships we are not in a position to gift games to youth for the benefit of the future.

Can he improve to the point where he is putting pressure on guys like Zorks and Answerth? Or does he need to show some flexibility in the VFL on a wing or half forward to force his way in as a utility?

 

[McLuggages]

He looked incredible at times - good size, good hands and good kick but as you said he got found out a few too many times - whether because of his positioning of lack of pace. I hope he can find a way in to the team.

I don't think he's a small - more an undersized 3rd tall. He could be Froggys successor (if it's not Doedee) but doubt he's taking a spot off a small (answerth, Starc, Willmott, zork, kiddy).

 

[mpal6]

What are everyone’s thoughts on Brain heading into 2025?

He has shown terrific development since being picked up as a rookie end of 2022, developing nicely throughout 2023 in the VFL and improving further in 2024 making his debut and playing 9 games.

He has several AFL level traits with his marking ability, skills by foot and hardness at the contest. The main issue we saw in some of his games this year was his lack of positioning and game smarts at times which will come with more experience. His form at VFL level was super impressive and he showed some of that quality in the AFL as well(His intercept marking in the 4th quarter against Sydney at the Gabba arguably got us across the line).

He looks a natural in that small defender role, however, with a clean bill of health in 2025, he will be sitting behind Starcevich, Answerth, Zorko, Coleman, Wilmot and McKenna. It is quite possible after 9 games in 2024 he doesn’t get a look in this season. Talent wise he is the type of player you could pump games into and see flourish, however, with the quality sitting in front of him and the club competing for premierships we are not in a position to gift games to youth for the benefit of the future.

Can he improve to the point where he is putting pressure on guys like Zorks and Answerth? Or does he need to show some flexibility in the VFL on a wing or half forward to force his way in as a utility?

If Starc takes free agency route, Brain will have a spot to fill in our backline. We just have to keep pumping games into him either as sub or small defender rotation this year and see how 2026+ pans out.

 

[Saucery]

If Starc takes free agency route, Brain will have a spot to fill in our backline. We just have to keep pumping games into him either as sub or small defender rotation this year and see how 2026+ pans out.

I like Brain but fear the only one who gets 'games pumped into him' this year will be Levi. If, buts and maybes on Starcs future will not affect selection policy otherwise. Open windows mean hard choices, though injuries and matchups may help him.

 

[Nuggo]

I like Brain but fear the only one who gets 'games pumped into him' this year will be Levi. If, buts and maybes on Starcs future will not affect selection policy otherwise. Open windows mean hard choices, though injuries and matchups may help him.

The way a season rolls there will be plenty of opportunities for players likes of Shadeau. Will he be there at the pointy end is up to him. Certainly is good enough in my opinion but whether he can perform for a full season and final series is the next question

 

[McLuggages]

Just saw he's only listed at 183cm - he seems to play (and move) much taller. I'm sure someone can correct me but I thought he was a forward as a kid?

Also seems like he's got pace...didn't look that way on TV but I stand corrected.

 

[lionshine]

If Starc takes free agency route, Brain will have a spot to fill in our backline. We just have to keep pumping games into him either as sub or small defender rotation this year and see how 2026+ pans out.

Yep or Zorks retirement. He is contracted till 2026 so hoping he sticks it out until a spot opens up as he’s certainly good enough to be a long term player for us. Would hate to see him move to another club for more opportunity and have a long career(This does happen to fringe players at clubs competing for flags though as we all know). I’m really hoping Starcevich remains by the way. High quality player for us.

Reville is in a similar boat to Brain in my opinion. On the fringes of a wing/flank spot with Berry, Fletcher and now Levi ahead of him plus you’d expect Marshall and Beecken to potentially challenge for those spots as well. Definitely capable of playing at AFL level, particularly if he improves his fitness this pre season. His skills are a huge asset.

Speaking of Beecken above, I’d be surprised if he doesn’t make his debut this year to cover an injury or two at some point.

 

[rye]

brain's strengths from what i saw were his overhead marking / intercepting and kicking. he is probably looking at pushing past zorko on retirement for a spot. i view answerth and starcevich's strengths in defending smalls and being clean at mopping up ground balls as things brain needs to work on. id be surprised if he brain has been earmarked as a potential replacement for starcevich if they opt to leave in the side, they are quite different players.

 

[Perrip]

Just saw he's only listed at 183cm - he seems to play (and move) much taller. I'm sure someone can correct me but I thought he was a forward as a kid?

Yep, he was. Shadeau Brain

Snapshot: “A crafty medium forward who fares well both aerially and at ground level, having shown glimpses across an injury-interrupted season.”

 

[mpal6]

Yep or Zorks retirement. He is contracted till 2026 so hoping he sticks it out until a spot opens up as he’s certainly good enough to be a long term player for us. Would hate to see him move to another club for more opportunity and have a long career(This does happen to fringe players at clubs competing for flags though as we all know). I’m really hoping Starcevich remains by the way. High quality player for us.

Reville is in a similar boat to Brain in my opinion. On the fringes of a wing/flank spot with Berry, Fletcher and now Levi ahead of him plus you’d expect Marshall and Beecken to potentially challenge for those spots as well. Definitely capable of playing at AFL level, particularly if he improves his fitness this pre season. His skills are a huge asset.

Speaking of Beecken above, I’d be surprised if he doesn’t make his debut this year to cover an injury or two at some point.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to keep Starcevich too. but based on the re-signings of that 2014/2015/2016/2017 draft group, certain names have locked themselves long term while others have set a short term target.

Andrews - 2029, Hipwood - 2029
McCluggage - 2031, Berry - 2029
Rayner - 2031, Payne - 2029
Starcevich - 2025, Bailey - 2026

Based on that structure, may be we feel Starce and Bailey leaving could be managed with others who are up n coming. Now that everyone have a premiership as well, some may prioritize setting themselves up long term.

 

[Sproj]

Starc and Zorko are obviously the two spots that might / will open up. Of course Zorks is projected to be taken by Coleman but if Starc does leave, that opens a position to fight for.

Obviously Lester is the other and while Doedee was the plan, after three blown knees, what are his chances of making back at a necessary level? Gardner will face a similar issue with his injury history so that’s another spot that Brain can compete for.

Answerth this year showed that if you stick at it and so the necessary qualities, a place will be found for you and honestly, I don’t think we win the thing without Answerth. That could be Brain next year or beyond.

 

[Nunez]

Definitely a talent we should hold on to. Think he can get plenty of development within the VFL system in 2025.

 

[pod17]

Like others, I think Brain is a definite prospect. He keeps adjusting to every level he is exposed to and has some great attributes with sure hands and a good kick. It was a credit to him to play 9 games in a premiership year (albeit injuries playing a part).
I’d have him overtaking McKenna this year, and sadly Doedee too who I really rate but with his injury history is unlikely to ever get back (thinking Alex Johnson vibes).
Signing Brain until the end of 2026 shows the club rates him and it wouldn’t surprise if he broke through to hold down a position this year. If he is forced to bide his time in the twos, by year’s end we will know if Starce is taking up free agency. If he does, Brain would see a role for himself in the back 6 before he is OOC.
Definitely looking forward to seeing him play in 2025.

 

[knaf]

Yep, he was. Shadeau Brain

In this link Shadeau is listed as 186cms. So third tall/forward height.

As others have said not as good in body to body defensive work or cleaning up lose balls as Starce or Noah. Obvious AFL talents. Could he develop into a big body mid?

Signed to 2026, plenty can happen in two years of football and player trading. Great asset to have developing in the twos. And Lionshine, Great discussion to start in the boring off season (particularly with wickets falling at the SCG).

 

[MSB ROYS]

He has clean ball handling, which is key IMO.

 

[Section 5]

Shadow had quite a few injury issues but hung in there and gained a contract extension and debuted this year.
He would need improvement to be best 22 but still young and has good AFL traits. That defense 7 is hard to get into.
Maybe a change of position but he likely finds himself in the same selection issue as our depth looks good except CHF.
With Fort hanging around for years as backup ruck Shadow and others will see that you can still win a spot at the pointy end of the season.
Shadow was one of 4 debutants in a premiership team. Only Morris played finials and the GF.
Morris - 19 games
Reville - 12
Brain - 9
H. Smith - 4
Total - 44 games

How did the Lions compare to the 3 other PF teams. Debut games played in brackets.
Swans 2: Mitchell (2) Cleary (2). Total 2 games
Cats 3: Mannah (12) Humphries (11) O'Sullivan (1). Total 24 games
Port 2: Evans (13) Lorenz (2). Total 15 games.

 

[Nathan Barley]

I think it’ll take time. Really wasn’t judging when to leave his man very well at all but is a good reader when he found himself in the right spot and a pretty good user

 

[Dalions]

I think he has all the attributes to make a successful AFL player.
Probably just needs another Pre-season or 2 to be fully AFL ready imo.
When in the team last year it was only his fitness levels keeping him back from contributing really well to the AFL team.
And I don’t really mean he is unfit, just not quite AFL ready, but I hope he is given a go again this year at times because it is the only way he is really going to be AFL ready when required.