Past Brian Brown (1976-1981)

[Grimreepah]

 

[Grimreepah]

Wikipedia

Brown, who often played in the back pocket, struggled with injuries while at Fitzroy but put together 15 games in 1977 and 19 games in 1978. He missed the entire 1980 season through injury but returned in 1981 to add a further seven games and during the year bring up his 50th VFL game. This would later prove crucial as the Brisbane Lions were able to sign his son Jonathan under the Father-Son Rule in 1999.

Career Statistics

 

[Grimreepah]

Bio

Brian Brown, originally from Otway Rovers, played 51 games with Fitzroy from 1976-81 before two games at Essendon in 1983 after two broken legs in consecutive years cut short his days at the elite level. He was a member of Fitzroy s 1978 night series premiership side the last senior flag the old Lions won. A hard and skilful back pocket/centre-man, he was a Victorian representative but admits he was never quite the same after his twin leg fractures in mid-1979 and early 1980. Ironically, it was in one of his only two games at Essendon in 83 when Leigh Matthews crashed into the behind post at Windy Hill and snapped it.

Link

At Fitzroy, Johnson had worn Brian Brown's old number — 2.

 

[Grimreepah]

Johnathan Brown

A tough centreman/wingman, Brian Brown was a Victorian representative but managed only 51 games for Fitzroy before twin leg fractures all but ended his VFL career. Although he returned to play two games for Essendon in 1983, he was never the same player after his injuries.

"When I came up to Brisbane I don't reckon a whole of people up here knew too much about the father-son rule. I think to them I was probably just another draft pick," Brown said.

"Dad was a good player and he played 50-odd games before he broke his leg and went back to the bush but it wasn't like when your father is a real big name. Gary Ablett and his sons are the most notable example of that I suppose. I also think in the southern states, because football has such a huge following, people really focus on father-son picks."

 

[Grimreepah]

Link to article

Brian Brown played six years at senior level for Fitzroy and Essendon in the 1970s and '80s, but (and even he would admit this) is better known in footy circles these days as the father of one of the game's emerging champions - Brisbane centre half-forward Jonathan Brown. This, of course, presents an interesting situation at Lion HQ because Brown senior competed in the same era as his son's coach, Leigh Matthews, and was not only occasionally pitted against him, but now describes the former Hawk champ as "without doubt" his toughest opponent.

 

[LIONHART]

Thank you Brian Brown for those 52 games that allowed your son Jonathon to come to the club under father/son.

As I recall Brian also had a brother Peter who played a few games for Fitzroy, and a brother-in-law in Noel Mugavin.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Amen!!

 

[western royboy]

Following his VFL Career, Brian returned to coach Colac in the Hampden League where he lead them to a flag in late 80's in one of the more brutal HFL Grand Finals of all time against South Warrnambool. There is a famous photo of Brian and his young son Jonathon holding the premiership cup aloft. In order for his wife to complete her midwifery course they moved to Perth for a year where he helped out at a WAFL club before the family eventually settled in the Western District at Bushfield, close to Mary Mugavin's family who were famous Greyhound trainers from Killarney.

Brian immediately took over as Captain Coach at Koroit where he put a bit of spine into the club. Once he finished up there his brother in law Noel Mugavin took over relatively soon after and Brian stayed on as Runner. Brian was/is/will always remain a white line fever man and I have a few stories relating to him that were quite funny. Ken Hinkley left Geelong in the AFL and came to coach Mortlake in its last years as a stand alone club. Every week he copped it from muppets trying to be heroes. One day Brian was running for Koroit and Kenny had started on fire. Brian was running around trying to fire up then Koroit full back and started baiting Kenny but he didn't bite. After the fifth or sixth visit in no time, Kenny called Brian over and went BANG!! and dropped him. It was hilarious but also a bit frightening as I was in the forward pocket and couldn't fight my way out of a paper bag as the ensuing melee began. Kenny got reported but it got thrown out on a technicality.

To be fair to Brian he just copped it.

He also started playing cricket as the boys began to grow up and I think it's fair to say he was a natural sportsman but had not played a lot of cricket. I came across him in the two's one day after a big night at a Xmas Party and a very green track against a guy who one year before had bowled out the competition powerhouse in the 1sts for the grand total of 11.

To cut a long story short I got 80 which I rate very highly due to the conditions. Brian stood at 1st or 2nd slip and sledged the bejesus out of me all day - it was up there with the best I have ever had. But at the end of the day he shook my hand and we had a beer and I fessed up that I was a rabid Lions fan and that I had been in the pocket the day he got donged. We had a good laugh and I've been fortunate to get some great favours from Jonathon along the way. Still teaching PE at Emmanual College in Warrnambool. Great Bloke.

 

[Dylan12]

Nice story western royboy...on a side note, that region of Koroit/Mortlake produced a hell of a lot of Royboys IIRC. Obviously Fitzroy's region, but besides Ken Hinkley, the Harris', Grant Lawrie and even lesser knowns such as Gary Keane come out of the region. I just remember as a boy when I loved reading stats etc, that all of the Vic boys either came from Brown territory or the Eastern suburbs of Vic such as Bulleen/Templestowe etc.

 

[Grimreepah]

Brian makes the best of two bad breaks
Footy Record 1981
Round 8, page 11

If there was an award for dedication, it would have to be named the Brian Brown Medal. Two years and two broken legs later, the courageous Fitzroy defender made a triumphant return to VFL ranks in last Saturday's clash against Richmond. Brown, named as an interchange, was thrust into the game after an injury to captain, Garry Wilson. Coach Robert Walls immediately put Brown onto Tiger veteran Kevin Bartlett. From that moment on, Bartlett's great influence on the game was subdued.

Brown has a specially made plastic guard which covers the front of his leg from the knee to the ankle. He has already received a number of knocks but the guard has worked perfectly.

 

[Grimreepah]