Brauman’s bold move
Top Tiger leaves Bannockburn to chase his VFL dream
JACK Brauman has spoken of the “very tough” decision to leave Bannockburn and join the GFL in a bid to enhance his VFL prospects.
The reigning Tigers bestand-fairest winner has landed at Bell Park at the preference of Werribee after his place on its VFL list was confirmed this month.
“The Werribee coaching staff preferred to have me at Bell Park but in saying that it was very tough leaving Bannockburn,” Brauman said.
“I do not want to say that this is a goodbye to Bannockburn. I’ll be back there one day and I really want to see them do well this year.”
Since making his GDFL senior debut in 2012, Brauman has played 104 games as one of the most elite ballwinners in the league.
After claiming the first of three senior best-and-fairest awards at the age of 18, Brauman quickly gained a reputation and co-captained the club from 2014-16 alongside Tigers champion Brad Watts.
A regular GDFL interleague representative and team of the year member, the 22-year-old said he had the desire to test himself at state level.
“Werribee has been awesome. Everyone around the club has been very welcoming and to be honest they’re a really tight bunch of blokes,” Brauman said.
This season will mark only the second time Brauman will not represent the Tigers since Auskick. The other was at under-16 level, when he played for Bell Park.
Jake Peters, who played 55 of a possible 60 games for the Tigers from 2015-17, also joins Brauman on Bannockburn’s departure list.