Nathan Brown fighting for a spot
Jackie Epstein | June 28, 2009
RICHMOND coach Jade Rawlings admits veteran Nathan Brown is under pressure to prove he deserves another contract.
Brown, 31, has missed two matches with groin soreness, but trained at Punt Rd Oval yesterday.
Rawlings said the veteran was working hard to get back in the side.
"There's been a lot made of the 30-year-olds and they're all a different case," he said.
"I chatted to 'Browny' during the week and no doubt he's getting a bit anxious about where his body's at and the stage of the season and where his career sits.
"But he's been very forthright in saying he'll do whatever is required as far as the team dynamics and where he fits into it. I'm sure he'll come back, he's very diligent with his rehab.
"We'll make a judgment whether it's back through the VFL or straight back into the AFL. We'll make a call and his actions will do the talking about whether he gets a contract."
While Brown could play soon, Matthew Richardson is yet to have a return date pencilled in.
Rawlings said "Richo" was ahead of schedule with his hamstring injury.
The caretaker coach has continued his policy of playing the untried, with Jarrod Silvester, 24, to become the club's sixth debutant this season.
"He's been a pleasure to coach over 18 months at VFL level," Rawlings said.
"He just rarely gets beaten."
Rawlings believes the Tigers can match it with the Saints at Etihad Stadium today.
"We've got a healthy respect for St Kilda and how they've gone this year, but we think we've got the right balance as a team to be able to compete well against them," he said.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/afl/story/0,27046,25700492-5016169,00.html
