The Buzz: Anyone think footy’s gone soft? Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph pays tribute to courageous acts

JONATHAN Brown charged back with the flight of the ball on Saturday, knowing a collision could spell the end of his AFL career.

Brisbane champion Jonathan Brown has made a career of putting his body on the line. Pictu

JONATHAN Brown charged back with the flight of the ball on Saturday, knowing a collision could spell the end of his AFL career.

Essendon first-gamer Patrick Ambrose backed into the unknown at Etihad Stadium and withstood a blow in an incident that might kick- start an impressive career.

Football’s weekly rhythm means we move on so quickly: to the next off-field drama, the next blockbuster. But before we race ahead, can we first take stock?

Extreme courage was repeatedly on display in Round 1, from Brown’s mark, to Ambrose’s crunching collision, to Callan Ward’s gutsy pack mark with the flight, to Joe Daniher twice jumping back into the pack to take high marks.

Daniher is so spring-heeled he floats above the pack, but elder statesman Brown now just bores through them.

He has had his face rearranged three times — by Luke McPharlin’s knee and teammates Matt Maguire and Mitch Clark.

Yet despite admitting this year they nearly forced his retirement, Brown didn’t hesitate for a second on Saturday against Hawthorn.

The ball flew high, he turned and chased, and thankfully the pack parted and he avoided collision as he gripped the Sherrin to his chest. Yet that didn’t diminish the act, even if his missed shot at goal drew more attention.

On Friday night mid-sized forward Ambrose knew the heat was coming on the centre wing, but ignored the approaching stampede.

The 22-year-old exposed his rib cage by thrusting his hands high, and although he lost the mark because teammate Kyle Hardingham shoved North defender Lachie Hansen, he won his teammates’ respect.

Bombers debutant Patrick Ambrose puts his body on the line. Picture: Getty

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said yesterday those moments could make careers.

“The coaches would highlight it and it will be a lesson for the other players on the list,’’ he said.

“It’s why action beats words. You can talk about being tough and being courageous. But when you show it ...

“With the speed of the game and the number of collisions compared to five years ago, just to take the field there is risk of injury at all times. To go back with the flight, eyes on the ball at full pace, it is a special type of act.

“Browny does it all the time. There is a reverence we hold those blokes in, and it’s a badge of honour every player has the capacity to earn.

“Nick Riewoldt’s mark at the SCG stands out, and it never gets taken away from you.”

Ambrose is well on the way to belonging at Essendon.

“Paddy is the best athlete I have ever seen,’’ teammate Brendon Goddard told SEN radio on Saturday.

“He is 6ft 3 (190cm), he ran a 5.55 2km time-trial, which is in the top 1 per cent of the AFL, he bench-presses 150kg. He is a machine.

“He is prepared to do whatever the team needs him to do to get a game and you witnessed that last night.”

Next time you watch a game live, spend 15 minutes as close as you can to the boundary, and listen to the thud of bodies. The game is many things, but it’s not soft.