Reports are that Browne was our standout ruck during the game. Apparently Gus and Vickery were getting well beaten in the ruck duels but Browne was actually winning many of the contests. Browne was also good around the ground and particularly at ground level especially for someone of his size. Now why this may have been just one game it certainly adds more heat to an already competitive competition for our ruck places.
My personal prediction is that Browne will overtake Gus in the next couple of years to become one of our rucks with Putt eventually joining him with Vickery becoming a tall forward and pinch hitting in the ruck. Patto may be a little slow for the forwardline and it's too early to make a judgement of Putt.
I agree with everyone's opinion regarding our FF. Schulz is the better option at the moment and with Hughes out for a few weeks with injury he will get his chance to claim the position if he begins the season with a bang. He certainly didn't do himself any harm with his performance against the saints (in a losing side yet still heralded as the best forward on the ground).
I am amazed by the small age age difference between the two!
This may be the year that Schulz not only finds his position in the team but also shines. Given Hughes and Schulz minimial age difference Schulz is the stronger forward prospect by far especially, as others have noted, without Richo injurying him all the time.
I also said that Schulz never got a real chance as a forward because Richo used to dominate the F50 and command the ball leaving Schulz's with no supply. When the ball was finally delievered to Jay Richo would still think it was for him and crash the pack and ruining both their chances to mark. The problem is they play in a very similiar fashion but the difference is Schulz would not be the only target up forward for us he would be share the scoring with Riewoldt, Brown and Morton.
Hope he grasps his chance.
Stripes
