Brown earns his place
Ex-Dees coach says time ripe for youngster
PAUL Roos says Collingwood father-son Callum Brown has proved he is not a token selection despite being handed a Queens Birthday debut.
Premiership coach Roos says the Demons failed Jack Watts when they unveiled the No.1 draft pick in Queens Birthday clash with Collingwood as a marketing stunt.
He still thinks the club put too much pressure on Watts that day, as the key forward was mauled by a Collingwood side intent on targeting him.
But Brown is the natural fit to come in as a half-forward to replace Jamie Elliott (ankle) after he was the travelling emergency against Fremantle.
It is a stunning rise for the son of Team of the Century star Gavin, seen as only a rookie pick at the start of the 2016 season.
He capped a sensational season with three goals in a TAC Cup preliminary final but after being drafted at pick 35 was hit with glandular fever in January.
He will play his first game in 23 days, the last of his six VFL games a 28-possession haul followed by a VFL bye and his role as the emergency.
“You do someone a disservice when you pick them because they are a No.1 selection or father-son,’’ Roos said yesterday.
“But the Pies are picking him based on injuries and form. He has gone through the normal process of selection.
“Jack was paraded as the No.1 pick and saviour of the footy club. I saw it as the Swans coach with George Stone when we were scouting and we were shocked.
“I have since found out, which made it even worse, that they were always going to play him on that day.
“He wasn’t even playing that well in the seconds but it was a marketing thing.
“I haven’t seen a lot of Cal playing, but there is a big difference between a marketing ploy and playing a kid when he deserves to play.”
Brown said last week as he closed in on selection he had long hoped to follow in the footsteps of his dad, one of the toughest players to cross the white line.
“Selection would be massive. To be able to play my first game for Collingwood is something I have dreamt about for a long time with dad being at the club,” he said.
“It’s pretty hard to put into words what it would mean, but it would be crazy. It would be an awesome feeling.”
Roos said his advice to every AFL debutant was to the point.
“My message always to the kids is when you get it, kick it,’’ he said.
“First possession just get it on to the boot. Don’t get tackled, kick it and then you will pick up the speed of the game.
“Get your first possession and then you are away and everything will look after itself.
“The first thing with kids is to make sure they are getting picked on form. If they are not, they know it as well. Players are smart, they train together and play together.
“A kid knows if he is getting picked ahead of someone else on form, so he has real confidence. I have played good footy at VFL level, so I am ready to go.” FB J.Hunt 29 TODAY, MCG, 3.20PM HB M.Hibberd 14 C HF FF A.Neal-Bullen 30 Foll C.Pedersen 21 Inter Emer In Out C.Salem 3 D.Tyson 12 T.McDonald 25 S.Frost 17 C.Oliver 13 COLLINGWOODI N.Jetta 39 J.Lewis 6 N.Jones 2 M.Hannan 19 J.Garlett 36