I’m sure a lot, if not all, footy fans can see that Ben Brown is a great full forward.
He’s a full forward that should get attention during trade week, however, he isn’t the forward that Melbourne should be targeting with their current game plan.
Having kicked 287 goals across his 130 games, an average of 2.2 goals a game would be a handy addition to any side.
Putting this together with the fact he had three consecutive years with 60 plus goals before this year makes it look like a no brainer that the Demons should pick Brown up during the trade period.
But the simple fact remains which is he simply won’t fit into Melbourne’s game plan and style of fast-paced carnage in getting the ball forward as they bomb it inside the forward 50.
Something which helped the demons reach the preliminary final in 2018 but has proven their downfall in 2019 and 2020.
Ben Brown has been shown as a genuine full forward who leads up at the ball and can kick bags of goals on his day.
Brown is a methodical player who thrives off the ball being put out on a string, taking his long run-up and kicking.
This is something which wouldn’t work with Melbourne’s current game plan. Their plan isn’t methodical, they just try and get it forward, with kicks inside 50 being erratic, a key thing to fix going forward and something which Ben Brown’s arrival won’t fix.
While Ben Brown is a great full-forward, he would be a bad player for Melbourne and individually if a trade were going to happen.
But the way this is going, Melbourne is going to be paying overs for a player who won’t help the team and won’t fix actual problems which Melbourne have.
Some of the current problems Melbourne have are the efficiency going inside 50, turnovers (ranked second for most turnovers with an average of 63.5 per game) and clearances (ranked 15th for total clearances with an average of 28.2 per game).
These are the things Melbourne needs to be focused on for success (and for the long-suffering fans), not a Ben Brown trade.
Tom McDonald was the perfect forward when the Dees were firing in 2018. With his ability to be versatile in the forward line and become a backman if needed, they should be looking at keeping him at the club instead of trying to recruit Brown.
A knee injury in 2019 as well as an injury this year have kept him from playing his best, but if he is fit and firing in 2021, it would be the same as having a new recruit.
Melbourne also has Luke Jackson and Sam Wideman to complement several medium-sized forwards such as Jake Melksham, Bayley Fritsch and Jayden Hunt and any given midfielder who is rotated through the forward line.
Ben Brown would be an unnecessary addition to a team which really needs to improve their inside 50s, turnovers and clearances.
Red_Demon
Guest
It'd be tough to be a full forward for Melbourne. You're basically asked to pack mark bombs from your midfield. Sam Weideman must have been very sore at the end of this season. He's getting crunched in the packs every time that ball comes in. The only good lead for the Demons has been Bayley Fritsch, although he has a tendency to lead wide to the pocket and his conversion is poor - but he marks well and gets his hands on the football. I think Brown can work for Melbourne. They need a player who can lead and present - it's not as if they can't slow the ball down from the midfield and target players. If Fritsch can lead and mark, so can Brown. Our frantic running game is too inconsistent and I'd like our midfield to have opportunities to target their inside 50s. Brown can provide the target, while Weideman plays half forward. It will be interesting to see what actually happens to Tom McDonald now that Melbourne didn't offload him. I just can't see him as a forward force. He's more likely to be sent back to defence in 2021. With Luke Jackon, Weideman and Brown up front we have, for the first time, some good talls in in the forward line.
Seymorebutts
Guest
The Demons excelled in 2018 due to the 60 or so goals kicked by Jessie Hogan to finish of their midfield work.. Either Brown will adapt to their game plan, or the Dees will adapt their plan to him... either way, He is EXACTLY what they need. Barring injury, he will boot 40 goals and get them back into the top 6.. if he kicks 60, they will go top 4. Plenty of upside to this trade IMO.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Two Metre Peter is an interesting one. All the reports coming out of his Draft Year was that he was a superstar. Big Mobile dudes don't fall off Trees. He's definitely not lived the hype. You wonder whether it's the atmosphere of the Club. Not that Essendon's culture is considered super strong at the moment. Be interesting to see if we get to see a bit more out of him.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
If he comes to the Dogs I'm sure I w ioll become a big fan. :laughing:
John
Peter I doubt Bucks would be moved on even after a poor 2021. There will always be the excuse of losing players to create salary cap space, blooding new players etc.Bucks has another 5 years as far as I can see for good or bad.
John
Peter, your thoughts on how Collingwood have gone from recent GFinalists to a club in dire straits salary cap wise. Haven’t heard one official come forward and take responsibility. And now we look like losing Treloar and Stephenson. What a mess and what message does it send to potential recruits? Why weren’t we in the hunt for Ben Brown? Did we make an approach?
Steele
Roar Rookie
I actually reckon Cox is ok although I think he’s a had a few good ones against the Dee’s.
Steele
Roar Rookie
Two flags in 61 years for Collingwood. Just let that sink in next time next you convince yourself you barrack for a powerhouse! And you can’t know much about Collingwood if you don’t know why they are so keen to offload Treloar? This salary dump business is hogwash. GWS were pumped for him to leave, now Collingwood as well. All this despite plenty of talent. It’s off field.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Sean, like most footy fans I was very surprised by North putting him out to market. You mentioned he is the wrong trade for Melb. Which club would you suggest he is the right trade for?
DEESNUTSRBIG
Guest
Braydon Preuss has been traded to GWS for pick 31. Contracted for 2 more years he wasn't just going to be handed over for scraps. GWS needed him badly and is a major upgrade in the ruck for them.
DEESNUTSRBIG
Guest
Fair call but I see O.McDonald purely as a backup on minimum salary not in the best 22. Frost is in the teams best 22 and helps the team you just have to put with the stupid mistakes he makes.
DEESNUTSRBIG
Guest
Yeah the narrative is garbage, Fremantle traded L.Neale for pick 6 (&19) and got Hogan (instead of drafting B.King) and now moved him for pick 54 essentially getting stuff all for Neale.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Ha. I meant the Pies would be saying we are now giving you away Adam Treloar for a younger model and not even getting any salary cap relief for it!
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
I like him a lot and I think he's a good fella, but drink-driving into parked cars is a concern and then being quietly suspended by the club a 2nd time was a mystery the media never explained - Dunkley's player manager comments indicate Hunter did something else extremely unprofessional when he was in the hub (and I assume this was the reason for his 2nd suspension). So if trading him out helps us keep Dunkley happy and set high standards, and we can get Treloar, then I think it would be a smart move for the Dogs. And the Pies get a younger version of Treloar.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Let's not Saint May just yet Deesnuts. He had one good season after showing up fat from the Gold Coast.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Then you are literally telling the poor bloke you just don't like him Doug.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
What about a straight swap - Hunter for Treloar and Pies pay salary differential? Doesn't help your salary cap pressures, but you get a similar player who is 2 years younger and we keep Dunkley happy by removing a larrikin (who will enjoy hanging-out with JDG).
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Perhaps a Cox- O McDonald straight swap as Coxy is our whipping boy!
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I openly admit to not knowing much about Melbourne. I recently wrote its a good club to go to if your career is on the wane as you will largely go unnoticed by everyone from the moment you walk in the door.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I keep telling everyone Doug, play him purely as a receive and burst player and he will win a Brownlow. If he stays, Ill tell Bucks the same! Ha ha.