Browne fit and firing after 2012 heartbreak

CLAREMONT captain Andrew Browne is up and firing early in the 2013 season after he frustratingly missed the second of the Tigers’ back-to-back premierships last year, but he was never going to bow out of WAFL football on that note.

Browne was one of the key performers in Claremont’s drought breaking premiership in 2011, but managed just five league games in 2012 before re-injuring his hamstring in the second semi-final and then missed the grand final win over East Fremantle.

He had just taken over as captain from the retired Clancy Rudeforth and his character shone through when despite his individual injury troubles, he was an outstanding leader as much as he could be around the club as the Tigers went on to claim a second successive premiership.

The 28-year-old who has now played 100 league games for Claremont and five in the Foxtel Cup since making his league debut in 2002, is now happy with the way his 2013 campaign has started after the troubles of last year.

“Obviously it was a disappointing way for me to finish off last year missing the grand final so I was really keen to get myself in the best shape I could to have the best opportunity to have a good year. Touchwood I haven’t had too many issues so far and hopefully I get a fair bit of footy out of myself this year,” Browne said.

“I had a pretty average year the whole way through with injuries so it wasn’t like I just got to the last hurdle and stumbled. It was tough especially being captain watching from the sidelines and not being able to have the impact that you want to, but I have had a good pre-season and am out there now. I’m hoping to stay there.”