Thursday, 1 December 2011
Callum Twomey for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

Alex Browne has spent the last month of Essendon's pre-season in the rehabilitation group. It's a place – for a couple of reasons – he's looking forward to leaving next week.

Only days after speaking to essendonfc.com.au late last month about the challenges he was excited about facing in his second AFL pre-season, Browne strained his right quad.

The early rigours of pre-season testing, weights, running and skills had overworked the muscle, and left the 19-year-old spending the majority of November in the rehab group with other players whose progress needs to be carefully monitored and managed.

"It was a result of a bit of overloading," Browne told essendonfc.com.au in the second update of his pre-season campaign.

"But being in the rehab group has been very, very tough. I think they've tried to make it that little bit tougher than what the other guys are doing, and there's no skills or ball work so it makes us miss it that bit more. "

In lieu of the running sessions, Browne's recovery program has revolved around cross-training pursuits like the exercise bicycle, boxing and spending more time on the rowing and grinder machines. "It isn't much fun but has got to be done to keep my fitness up," Browne said.

He started running again this week and is on schedule to return to the track next week, but the time off has not dented any set targets. After expressing his desire to enter next year weighing 88kg, he has already put on two kilograms in the last month and sits at 87kg. 

And, despite his injury and time on the sidelines, Browne's enthusiasm for the training and his own development hasn't waned. He's liking working with people intent on making him a better player. 

"You still enjoy it," he said. "You'd prefer to be there than not at all. That's what I always try to think about it, and it is fun because the boys make it that way. It's just during that training period when you're pushed to the edge where it can be mentally draining at times, but it's worth it."

After the club signalled its intentions to make Browne into an inside, ball-winning midfielder in 2012, he has spent more time with the midfield group in the past month. He hasn't participated in the on-field drills, but off the field has been able to break way in groups of three or four teammates and study vision of opposition players with development coaches.

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He's learned much about his own game by watching others; how they approach stoppages, where they stand and how he could better use his explosive power and natural ability to read the play. In isolation they are little things, but Browne's aware they add up.

"I've quickly learned with a few new coaches that they've picked up I'm a bit stationary at stoppages and trying to get the ball with planted feet," Browne said.

"It's always seemed acceptable at the VFL level but if I'm willing and wanting to play at the AFL level I've got to be taking the ball on the move."

In just two updates with Browne, it has become clear he has a good sense of his position within the club and a clear view of where he can reach.

To a greater and lesser extent, every AFL player carries leadership qualities. They have needed them to get to the top level of their sport. Browne's shine through in his articulate nature and, as Essendon's new batch of draftees enter the club, he has found himself this week giving them some helpful hints. 

On his first day a year ago, Browne walked into the auditorium and sat in Michael Hurley's designated seat, so was first to tell the three new Bombers where they could sit without impeding on anyone's territory.

He can't believe a year ago it was him in the same position, but is aware that sport's ticking clock means that the work he does now will hold him in good stead for the next week, next month and next season. Everything Browne does, even in injury, is in preparation for the next chance.

"At the club, you're always welcome and feel you belong, but especially with the new boys coming in, I feel I've got that little bit more maturity," he said. 

"It's more psychological than anything else. Now that I've been there a year, I want to establish myself as an AFL player and not just make up the numbers."

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• PLAYER PROFILE: Alex Browne

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