Waite Is Over For Brisbane's Brown
Jonathan Brown is the big news concerning the NAB Cup Grand Final. Where he plays, how many minutes he gets and who plays on him could determine the winner of the match.
It's been a long time since Brown played a game. His endurance is not going to be there so playing Brown close to goals is the logical move for the Lions. Charman and Patfull have been useful around half forward in the previous games and if they continue in that role it will eliminate the need for Brown to lead further up the ground.
Brown wants to be on the ground for the entire game, his coach would prefer him to have a lot of time on the bench and for his playing time to be limited. The best result could be giving Brown a rest for parts of the second and third quarters. Brown should start the game, as it doesn't make sense for him to warm up to play and then immediately sit. If the game is close, and it probably will be, Brown should be able to play the entire fourth quarter.
Waite says he is ready to play on Brown, Thornton also mentioned he can do it. The name that hasn't been mentioned is Setanta O'hAilpin. The big Irishman has the added height that could be important against Brown. None of the three Carlton backmen will be able to compete physically with Brown but O'hAilpin will have a good chance at spoiling in marking contests. The big Setanta could be the best option at full back, and if Brown does play around half forward then Waite would be the better choice. Waite's mobility and reading of the play would be useful in the larger spaces at half back.
It will be a wait-and-see approach to see if Waite plays on Brown, or if Carlton go with another option. Whatever happens it could have a big impact on the game. Although there is also the intriguing matchup down the other end of the ground. Who does Fevola get, the options for the Lions would be Brennan, Merrett or maybe Roe or Mills, and there is even the chance that there could be an Irish full back at both ends as Colm Begley could be another option that Matthews considers to play against Fevola.
From the Carlton site: Waite wary but eager to take on Brown
It's been a long time since Brown played a game. His endurance is not going to be there so playing Brown close to goals is the logical move for the Lions. Charman and Patfull have been useful around half forward in the previous games and if they continue in that role it will eliminate the need for Brown to lead further up the ground.
Brown wants to be on the ground for the entire game, his coach would prefer him to have a lot of time on the bench and for his playing time to be limited. The best result could be giving Brown a rest for parts of the second and third quarters. Brown should start the game, as it doesn't make sense for him to warm up to play and then immediately sit. If the game is close, and it probably will be, Brown should be able to play the entire fourth quarter.
Waite says he is ready to play on Brown, Thornton also mentioned he can do it. The name that hasn't been mentioned is Setanta O'hAilpin. The big Irishman has the added height that could be important against Brown. None of the three Carlton backmen will be able to compete physically with Brown but O'hAilpin will have a good chance at spoiling in marking contests. The big Setanta could be the best option at full back, and if Brown does play around half forward then Waite would be the better choice. Waite's mobility and reading of the play would be useful in the larger spaces at half back.
It will be a wait-and-see approach to see if Waite plays on Brown, or if Carlton go with another option. Whatever happens it could have a big impact on the game. Although there is also the intriguing matchup down the other end of the ground. Who does Fevola get, the options for the Lions would be Brennan, Merrett or maybe Roe or Mills, and there is even the chance that there could be an Irish full back at both ends as Colm Begley could be another option that Matthews considers to play against Fevola.
From the Carlton site: Waite wary but eager to take on Brown
