CTV > Rnd10 Final Siren with Alan Richardson
CTV > Nathan Brown discusses his rising star nomination

Alan Richardson spoke to CTV about the progress and development of Dale Thomas and Nathan Brown.

As the guest on this week’s edition of CTV’s match review show, The Final Siren, Richardson highlighted the efforts of the two young guns across the season after Saturday’s 100-point thrashing of West Coast.

Thomas, who is in his third season yet has already mustered 51 games, has bounced back extremely well in the past three weeks after a quiet couple of outings.

“We knew that it was only a matter of time (for Dale to return to form), because he was really working hard earlier in the year,” said Richardson.

“Two things have happened. He’s just continued to work, and we know that the harder you work, the luckier you’re going to get, but he’s also had opportunities to go through the midfield, and not be as closely checked.

“When you’re playing as a small forward, it is hard work, you’re going to have someone right up your backside for a large percentage of the game.

“He’s also now in a forward line that has three other outstanding small forwards in (Alan) Didak, (Leon) Davis and (Paul) Medhurst.

“I suppose Paul’s a little bit different because he’s a bit more of a target player, but there’s probably a little less heat on Dale now and he’s reaping the rewards.”

As for Brown, who is the round 10 AFL Rising Star nominee, Richardson praised his willingness to learn and the speed with which he’s adapted to the demands of AFL footy, and acknowledged his ability to rebound after his direct opponent, Eagle Josh Kennedy, played well in the first half last week.

“Kennedy probably got him early in the game. Browny, to his credit, was able to learn from that, and with a little bit of feedback at half time, in terms of perhaps initiating a bit more contact to stop Kennedy’s leading, I think got the contest back on his terms a little bit more.

“There have been times when opponents have been able to get him, but he learns very quickly, and that’s what you have to do as a defender, you’re not quite sure what your opponent is going to do.

“You’ve got to be able to learn relatively quickly about the way your opponent’s playing and the way the ball’s coming in.

“He (Brown) has had a super year, he’s had some big tasks. His first three weeks he had Pavlich, Brown and Richardson, so he’s been in ripping form, and we’ve really needed him without James Clement and Simon Prestigiacomo.”