After yet another head collision, Jonathan Brown has decided to called time on a magnificent career.
It’s the right decision when you consider the two serious facial injuries he suffered a few years ago and the fact he has a young family.
But it indicates the courage and persistence of Browny that he thought long and hard before making the decision.
He didn’t want to leave his young team in the lurch, who have valued, revered and loved his leadership and inspirational play over the past 15 seasons and 256 games.
It’s time though, and the Lions must focus on rebuilding and finding a key forward or two in this year’s draft.
The good news is that there are several key position players at this stage in contention to be top ten draft picks. With Brisbane on the bottom at the moment there is a chance they could nab the number one pick, with Calder Cannons tall forward and ruckman Peter Wright currently the favourite.
That’s in the future, however, so let’s embrace Brown’s career and personality, which has been as enormous as his playing achievements.
Brisbane secured him as a father and son selection in the 1999 National Draft after his dad, Brian, had played 51 games for Fitzroy. All Lion supporters would be delighted that the eligibility for father and son recruitment changed several years after Brown had already become a hero for Brisbane, from 50 to 100 games.
There will be comparisons with North Melbourne great Wayne Carey, as to who would be the better centre half forward in the past 20 years.
Personally I think Carey wins that argument, but Browny is still a great. In his prime Brown turned games by taking great marks front on into a pack, which would have certainly inspired his teammates to turn a parlous situation into a brilliant victory.
The 2009 elimination final against Carlton at the Gabba is a prime example of that. The Lions were almost down and out going into the last quarter, but Brown started to dominate up forward, which lifted everyone and pushed them to a memorable win.
He was a tower of strength as a youngster in Brisbane’s three consecutive premierships and could always be relied on for a team-lifting goal.
He also had that laid back and amusing country boy demeanour, which we all loved.
He seemed totally unaffected by what he had achieved on the field with his gravel-toned voice and his ocka tone, that’s just who he is.
I don’t think anyone would forget when he was named in the All Australian team in 2009 and stole the show after talking about the impending birth of his first child.
His wife Kylie was due on Melbourne Cup Day, but Browny got on stage and said he hoped Kylie could get induced, so he could have a day out with the boys at the Cup.
In today’s world of political correctness, that comment would probably be frowned upon, but the comments then were, ‘That’s Brownie, isn’t he funny?’
He will be inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame as soon as he is eligible in four years, and obviously as the body has slowed down and the injuries have increased the form has waned, but what a player he was.
He won’t be lost to the game, with a successful media career beckoning and he will continue to help mentoring those young Lions.
It wouldn’t surprise too, if he wanted to coach one day. His players would certainly be keen to play for him. Jonathan Brown, take a bow.
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