Why North Melbourne’s Ben Brown could be perfect fit for Essendon at trade time
North Melbourne forward Ben Brown looms as a potential fix to Essendon’s forward line woes if Joe Daniher elects to leave the club, as statistics show the depth of the Bombers’ issues in attack. TAKE OUR POLL
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North Melbourne forward Ben Brown looms as a potential fix to Essendon’s forward line woes if Joe Daniher elects to leave the club at season’s end.
The Bombers are ranked 10th in the competition for average inside-50s this season but have been the second-least effective side at scoring from their entries.
Essendon has recorded a score from just 36.8 per cent of its inside-50s this year, with Fremantle (35 per cent) the only team to have a worse conversion rate.
Key forward Daniher is closing in on a return to the field, having not played since Round 9 last year due to groin and calf issues.
However, his future with the Bombers remains unclear after making a failed bid to join Sydney during last year’s trade period.
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Leading football analyst and Fox Footy commentator David King said Daniher’s imminent return “changes everything” for the 11th-placed Essendon.
However, asked as part of the Fox Footy Jury if Brown would be an ideal replacement if Daniher were to leave Tullamarine, King said the Kangaroo fit the bill.
“I think Ben Brown would absolutely suit them,” King said.
“I think Ben will end up staying at the Kangaroos. But if the Bombers wanted someone who’s a terrific, presenting lead-up target, we’ve seen what he’s done over the last three years.
“Sure, it hasn’t worked this year. But maybe their sell to Ben will be the same as his sell to them – it hasn’t worked this year, but it has in patches in the past.”
Daniher averaged 6.7 marks a game including 2.7 marks inside-50 during his last full season in 2017 and kicked 65 goals from 23 games.
Out-of-contract Kangaroos forward Brown has been down on form this year but averaged 4.9 marks including 2.8 marks inside-50 in 2019, while also kicking 64 goals from 22 games.
Jacob Townsend is the Bombers’ leading inside-50 mark this season, averaging 1.3 a game.
“If they don’t (hold on to Daniher) they’ve got to look at acquiring someone,” King said.
“They need a target that they know can produce a greater return than what they’re currently getting. That may be Joe Daniher. If it is, fantastic.
“Make that decision sooner rather than later. If it isn’t, then get out there and find someone to replace that role because currently that’s a hole on-field that’s spiralling everything out of control.”
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Originally published as Why North Melbourne’s Ben Brown could be perfect fit for Essendon at trade time