Early Life and Playing Career
Brown was recruited into Collingwood from Templestowe where he contributed to the side for over a decade. Brown was part of the Magpies under-19 premiership side in 1986 with team-mates Damian Monkhorst, Mick McGuane and Gavin Crosisca, who would all make their debuts with the senior side in 1987. Brown quickly showed his true value as a tough and courageous footballer, and a great man off the field. He earned the nickname 'Rowdy' due to his quiet demeanour off the field. Brown started well in his career, earning his first Victorian guernsey in State of Origin football in his debut season.
In 1989 Brown turned into a great young footballer, winning the Copeland Trophy, awarded to the club's best and fairest player, after finishing third the year before. In the same year, Brown made an impact against South Australia in State of Origin, winning the EJ Whitten Medal. His great form lead into 1990 where Brown played a vital part in the Pies winning the premiership, their first in 32 years. Brown played mainly as a forward, after starting his career as a wingman. He was knocked out in the quarter-time brawl in the Grand Final against Essendon, but returned late in the game and kicked his second goal, celebrating early. A year later, Brown continued his enthusiastic and courageous work on the field, and finished runner-up in the best and fairest, as well as earning his first All-Australian selection, as a half-forward.
Brown was an extremely courageous player, and he was duly rewarded for this when the AFLPA awarded him the inaugural Robert Rose Award for Most Courageous Player in 1991, and again in 1992.
In 1994, Brown was rewarded for his hard work with the captaincy, and he played good footy. He gained his second All-Australian selection, and win his second Copeland Trophy, finishing equal with recruit Nathan Buckley. He suffered hamstring injuries in 1995–1996, which hampered his career, but in 1997 he made a comeback, winning his third Copeland Trophy. He also captained the state side against South Australia, winning a second EJ Whitten Medal for his best on ground performance due to a brilliant job on Darren Jarman.
He handed over the Magpies captaincy to Nathan Buckley at the end of 1998, despite his willingness to keep the leadership role. As his career was coming to an end, he continued to play brilliant footy in 1999 despite the team's lack of success, and was impressive with the youngsters around him, with another top 3 finish in the best and fairest. He retired at the end of 2000.
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