Essendonfc.com.au is following Alex Browne'spre-season with monthly updates as the second-year Essendon midfielder strivesto make 2012 his breakout season. This is the fourth update of the series.
Alex Browne was feeling great. Thesecond-year Bomber had enjoyed a trouble-free start to 2012, getting throughhis Christmas program and training well in the first three weeks of January.
As Essendon turned its focus almost singularly to match simulation, Browne hadfound himself more comfortable among his teammates.
He felt more confident backing himself indrills, doubted himself less with his skills and was taking on teammates moreoften.
He had reached his goal of 88kg and wasdemanding the ball with an increased presence.
""I felt I was training pretty well andwas gaining confidence on the track and around the club, too,"" he says.
Only injury – a hamstring strain, to bespecific – could halt his momentum.
In a speed running drill, the 19-year-oldtook off and felt a pinch in his right hamstring. Straight away he knewsomething was wrong, and he's likely to sit out another two weeks of trainingbefore returning to the full group.
It carries extra disappointment for Brownegiven his November training block was interrupted by a quad strain.
""It's pretty frustrating,"" Brownetold AFL.com.au/essendonfc.com.au inthe fourth update of his pre-season campaign.
""All you want to do at this time ofthe year is get on the park and put your hand up for selection, so to get thesesort of niggles and interruptions are going to hinder my chances.
""But it's better now than during theseason, I suppose.""
Browne now finds himself back in the rehabgroup, membership of which he had lamented in November.
He's back doing boxing sessions, swimmingand cross-training activities while teammates are sharpening their skills onthe track.
He's having regular physiotherapy on thehamstring, and is working to strengthen his core muscles around the area.
""I'd prefer to be out on the park, butthis is the way I've got to do it,"" he says.
Browne is likely to be available for theback end of the NAB Cup (where he impressed many last season) and will probablyplay off half-back, despite the coaches aiming to build him into an inside midfielderin the future.
In going through match scenarios attraining, including pausing and seeing how they were setting up, Browne foundhimself more confident in that area of the ground.
It allows for his attacking run, and alsohis aggression, which has impressed teammates at Essendon.
""I'mpushing up a little bit but I feel a lot safer at half-back,"" he says.
""I reckon I read the game betterthere. I was training there before I got injured and was getting a bit of theball. It will probably be at half-back or maybe on the wing.""
