Brown's spirit lives on in Rockliff, but caution is needed

By Sean Lee / Expert

When Magpie Travis Varcoe cannoned into Brisbane’s Tommy Rockliff during the third quarter of last Saturday’s game, it looked as though the new Lions’ skipper was down for the count.

Varcoe’s knee made heavy contact with Rockliff’s side, smashing three ribs and puncturing a lung in the process.

We’ve all seen the television footage that followed; of Rockliff lying on the Gabba grass trying desperately to breathe, of him turning ghostly pale as he staggered from the ground after being assisted to his feet by the Lions’ medical staff, and of the obvious pain and difficulty he was in once he reached the dugout.

It was confronting viewing and the man himself has since stated that it was the “worst experience” of his life.

“It’s a pretty scary feeling, laying on the ground and you don’t know what to do and you can’t get any oxygen in,” Rockliff explained on AFL360 earlier in the week.

“It felt like the air was getting to my throat and coming straight back up, so it was sort of like I was choking.”

And yet, like a boxer who gets up even though his seconds are screaming at him to stay down, Rockliff still managed to stagger to his feet and make his own way off the ground.

Remind you of anyone? That sort of crazy courage has Jonathan Brown written all over it.

In fact, Rockliff admitted as much. When asked why he didn’t wait for a stretcher to carry him off the ground he said that he had seen ‘Browny’ walk off with worse injuries.

Not only does that speak volumes for the respect that Brown commanded during his playing days, but also for the type of example that Rockliff wants to set for his young side.

Brown was a hard, tough, committed footballer who earned his rugged reputation via his fearless attack on both ball and contest. His was a toughness born of courage, not thuggery, a trait that saw him universally admired.

In short he was more than just a highly talented player, he was also the ultimate team man.

Much to Brisbane’s advantage, Rockliff seems to be cut from the same cloth. He has talent to burn and the same fierce desire to play.

That was made obvious by his response to the news he would miss up to six weeks of football. After being told to get some fresh air by the doctors, he took a wander from the hospital grounds across to the Gabba, gate crashed a match committee meeting, and promptly told all those present that he would be right to go in a fortnight.

It is the stuff of legends.

And who can blame him for wanting to play?

Coming off a career-best season statistically (a stellar average of 32.7 disposals per game in 2014) and in his first year as captain, the nuggety midfielder desires nothing more than to be able to lead his team into battle.

Sitting on the sidelines will not come easy, especially for someone who has been as durable as Rockliff has. In his five full seasons of AFL football he has never dropped below 18 games.

But that will change this season. It has to.

Despite his enthusiasm to play again, and perhaps because of it, the Lions must ensure that their young star is 100 per cent recovered from his injuries before he takes the field again. There can be no negotiation.

Gone are the days when we could strap up a sick and broken footballer and push him back out onto the ground. It may have been inspiring to see and it may have lifted team mates emotionally at the time, but in the long run it rarely did anyone any good.

There are a lot of tired and crippled ex-footballers hobbling around the country.

While the sight of Jonathan Brown dealing with his injuries might have inspired Rockliff to struggle to his feet last Saturday, the fact remains that Brown probably played games that he shouldn’t have. The multiple blows that Brown received to his head were eventually what forced him out of the game. It got to a point where it was just unsafe for him to continue playing.

Rockliff may not have suffered the head blows that Brown did, but his current injury is traumatic enough that his body is going to need time to repair itself. To rush back from such a trauma would be stupidity, especially for a boy of 25 with a thrilling career ahead of him.

There is too much at risk.

The decision on when Rockliff can play again must rest solely in the hands of the doctors. Not the coaching staff, not the player, but the doctors.

So often we hear a player declare himself fit and everyone thinks that it is a green light to play again. It isn’t and it shouldn’t be.

Rockliff will come back strong. This incident will not change the way he plays the game and it will not have any impact on his enthusiasm for the contest. There will be no mental demons. He will continue to inspire his team mates with his commitment, desire and work ethic.

But when he does come back he must be fit. Not 80 per cent or 90 per cent, but 100 per cent recovered from the effects of both his broken ribs and punctured lung.

The longevity of his career demands it.

The Crowd Says:

2015-04-10T00:50:00+00:00

TomC

Roar Guru


I think the connection is more the example and expectations that have been set, about putting personal health above team goals. I'm not sure I agree that Brown never rushed back before he was ready. The 2004 grand final is probably the most famous example of where he played hurt, and between the plantar fascia injury and numerous head knocks there were several times in the last few years where he probably should have been advised to retire. I suspect there were others times he came back earlier than he should - certainly his form in the last few years suggested so - but the club would never make that public.

2015-04-10T00:12:20+00:00

DingoGray

Roar Guru


I see what the author is saying here and totally agree with the fact Rocky has to be 100% right to return. However the comparison to Brown I think is a bit of stretch. Brown was often his own enemy when it came to the injuries. He often was reckless to his body. But not at any stage did Brown rush back before he was ready. It was just his reckless and inability to not put everything on the line. This is Rocky 1st serious injury and it certainly wasn't caused by reckless action. It was a footy incident that comes from time to time. But again, the Author is right in that Lions only want Rockliff back when's 100% and able to handle a "Lethal type" Fitness Test.

2015-04-09T23:58:00+00:00

TomC

Roar Guru


Good article. Spot on.

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