Despite all the focus on Chris Judd and Matthew Kreuzer, other players on Carlton’s list are shining throughout pre-season training and practice matches.  Steven Browne is one such player coming through the ranks at a nice pace, but perhaps our eyes have been elsewhere.  In only his first pre-season, Browne has gone from first year draftee to playing most of the Carlton v Bulldogs match in minding dangerous Dog Nathan Eagleton.  We caught up with Steven to find out about his pre-season and his plans for the upcoming year.

Tell us about what sort of player you are, and how you have come to be at Carlton…
I started off at Whitfords, then through to West Perth, and was selected for West Australia and Under 16’s and Under 18’s level.  Last year I was written up as a running defender, someone who can play on small forwards, but I think I will play midfield late in my career.

What would you describe as the strongest feature of your game?
I think there are 2 things that tend to get talked about – I’m a good mark for my size and a good kick on either side of my body.

You had some pretty good raps on you before the draft, and Carlton were very happy to have you at Pick 36.  Were you surprised? Do you have a good draft day story that involves you being nowhere near the reports and getting a flood of SMSes?
I didn’t care where I got picked, or where I want, I just really wanted to be picked to play AFL.  It was a big day for me – we had all the family over and we were watching it over the internet.

Tell us about your game time last week in the Bulldogs game. 
Actually I’ve had some good game time the last couple of weeks which has been great.  Last week I played on Nathan Eagleton, tagging him on the wing and I played most of the game.

Does this mean you are a chance for Round 1? That’d be huge!
Not too sure about that, nothing has been said about it yet but we will see.  We all have to keep training hard and hope we get a look in for Round 1.

There’s a fair few WA boys at the Blues now.  Do you think there is anything in that – is there a WA style that suits the current game, or are you all just good?
It’s just awesome, isn’t it – I think it’s our running game which has been a highlight over recent years.  The West Australian boys know how to run with the ball and use all the ground which is a feature of the game these days.

Apparently when you were drafted your mates in WA gave you a Carlton Guernsey and signed it for you. Have the lads been keeping up to date with your progress?
Yes, that’s right.  They’ve been great.  They wrote ‘Good Luck’ on it and signed it for me.  I’m heading back this weekend for a few days to catch up with family and friends before the season starts up proper.

You’d be used to the heat over here then, eh?
It’s been pretty hot here yeah, but I’m worried about how cold it gets in winter.  We were over here for the Championships last year and it’s the coldest weather I’ve ever been in.  We played a game down in Geelong and it was freezing.  Not looking forward to that at all…

The younger players have been doing plenty of work with Matty Lappin and David Teague. What are some of the more important things they’ve been telling you in training?
All of the first and second year players have 1 day in Development a week, where we practice basic skills like tackling, kicking and handpassing with Lappin and Teague.  They’re both awesome – if you aren’t doing something right they’ll take the time with you to show how to do it, and say it politely as well.  They’re great to learn from and always around to work through things.

You said when you were drafted that you had idolized Chris Judd. Have you picked up any good tips from the new captain at training?
Just the way he goes about….everything he does really.  The manner he goes about training, his diet – there’s so much you can learn from him.

A little history question for you – how many other wearers of the Guernsey #15 can you name from Carlton’s illustrious history?
I know about David Teague…there’s a few others I’m sure but I can’t think of them right now.

For those who would like to know, the entire listing of wearers of #15 can be viewed at the Blueseum:

In amongst all of the good news at Carlton this summer, there may be some more that we just haven’t noticed as yet.  Other youngsters, outside of the obvious bevy of top draft picks, are keen to make their mark and can play.  Steven Browne looms as a great chance to get some games in 2008 and add to our midfield / defence rotation.