- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
As rugby league star Israel Folau contemplates a move to the AFL, former Sydney captain Mark Browning says players from other sports can often adapt easier to the league than those playing in the Australian Rules’ lower grades.
Browning, the AFL’s Queensland development boss, said the game’s gradual adoption of tactics from other sports meant players such as Folau had a high chance of switching codes successfully.
Folau, the 21-year-old Brisbane flier, is fielding offers from the league’s Greater Western Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy as well as the NRL and the new Melbourne Rebels Super rugby franchise.
“AFL football is a different brand of footy altogether to community footy, as we grew up with it,” Browning told SEN.
“It’s based a lot more as we know now on the tactics from other sports, such as soccer, basketball.
“There’s a lot more zoning and all the things that the other codes have been doing for a long, long time.
“I actually find some of the boys from other sports adapt to that a lot easier than boys who have played (Aussie Rules) footy for their whole lives and been brought up with, get it, move it, quick.
“The kids from other sports understand the possession game a lot better than some of the other boys to be honest.”
Browning said Western Bulldog player Tom Williams was a clear example.
Picked up in the 2004 AFL Draft, Williams had played representative rugby union for Queensland in under-18s.
“There’s no doubt you’ve got to be able to run and that’s half the battle and Tommy Williams who is at the Bulldogs is a great example,” Browning said.
“He never played a game of AFL footy until his 18th year. He played a total of six games and I actually put him in our state under 18 team after seeing him play.
“He’s played a total of 37 AFL games because of injury. I saw him in 2007 when I was sitting at Docklands Stadium and it was his 22nd game of AFL footy – in total, at any age group – and he was playing on (Port Adelaide star) Warren Tredrea in his absolute prime.
“And his decision making and use of the ball was just amazing for a player that’s played so little footy.”
Browning said it was a myth that only those from traditional AFL states were familiar with the game.
“The AFL game now is a lot more exposed than it was 20 years ago when I was playing.
“When we boys from other sports what do you do socially – they go to the Gabba six times a year, they watch the game, they see it on television, they have a kick with their mates.
“They understand the game,” he said.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.