BROWNLESS SAYS:
‘It would be a dream come true’ to play for the Cats
GEELONG father-son prospect Oscar Brownless says it would be a “dream come true” if the Cats selected him in this year’s draft.
The son of former key forward Billy Brownless has emerged as a quality prospect and is determined to forge his own reputation as a hard-running, strong-tackling midfielder.
“I mean, obviously it (the hype) is always going to be there,” Brownless, 18, said ahead of today’s Vic Country game at GMHBA Stadium.
“I try to ignore it and just focus on my footy. People tend to get carried away sometimes.
“I’ve got good support staff and a group of friends around me who I can always relax with.
“It’s always something that’s going to be there but at the end of the day I’m my own player and I try to focus on that.”
GPS data shows Brownless has been among the hardestworking players for Vic Country at the national under-18 championships, rotating through the midfield.
His performances put him in the mix for All-Australian honours at the end of the carnival, regularly among the top tacklers in his team while still winning plenty of the footy.
Earlier this season, he registered 182 Champion Data ranking points against the Calder Cannons with a 30-possession, eight-clearance, ninetackles, two-goal performance.
“I think I can run a bit more than the old man, which isn’t hard to do,” Brownless laughed. “But I play more midfield time. He never really got the chance to do that. It’s been good.”
Brownless hit the highlights reel with a goal from the pocket against Vic Metro last Sunday at the MCG, rekindling memories of his father’s 441goal, 198-game career at the Cats between 1986-1997.
But he said his dad was good at keeping his distance to let him become his own player.
“Dad’s been really good. I think he understands that the coaches know a lot more than he does.
“The game has changed a lot since back in the days when he was kicking the footy in Jerilderie.
“He likes to sit back. I’ll always go to him when I need support or have questions, and he’s more than willing to help.
“He’s good, he knows his place — the coaches do know what they’re doing.”
The Cats will be able to match any bids for the midfielder in live bidding in November’s national draft.
Asked what it would mean to play at the Cats, Brownless said: “Oh, it would be a dream come true”.
“I know it sounds cliche, but these are the things you dream of as a kid and I think to have the opportunity to play footy anywhere, no matter what the level, is pretty special,” he said.