Jonathan Brown (footballer)

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Jonathan Brown
Jonathan Brown captaining Victoria in the AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match (vs. Dream Team)
Personal information
Full name	Jonathan Brown
Date of Birth	October 29, 1981 (1981-10-29) (age 26)
Place of Birth	Melbourne
Recruited from	Geelong Falcons (VFL)
Draft	30th overall, 1999 Brisbane Lions (Father/son selection)
Height/Weight	195cm / 102 kg
Club information
Current club	Brisbane Lions
Number	16
Playing Career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
2000-	Brisbane Lions	143 (281)
State Team Honours2
Years	Team	Games (Goals)
2008	Victoria	1 (3)
¹ Club statistics to end of RD 8, 2008 season
² Representative statistics to end of HOF Game, 2008 Career highlights AFL AFL Premiership Player 2001, 2002, 2003 Coleman Medal 2007 Runner-Up in Leigh Matthews Trophy as League MVP 2007 All-Australian 2007 Vice-Captain of All-Australian Team 2007 AFLPA Best Captain Award 2007 AFLPA Robert Rose Award for Most Courageous Player 2007 AFL Mark of the Year 2002 Representative Captained Victoria in AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match Brisbane Lions Football Club Brisbane Lions Captain 2007 AFL Leading Goalkicker in season 2007 Brisbane Lions Most Goals in a Game (10 goals - Round 16, 2007) Merrett-Murray Medal (2007) Most Courageous Player Award (2007) Best Forward Award (2007) The Player of the Year Award (2007)

Jonathan Brown (born 29 October 1981) is an Australian rules footballer from Warrnambool best know for being a three-time Australian Football League premiership winning forward for the Brisbane Lions. He is currently co-captain of the club. His imposing physique, athleticism, courage and leadership have led to comparisons with former North Melbourne legendary centre half forward Wayne Carey.

[edit] Football career

Brown had begun to gather a reputation as a "thuggish" player due to several on-field incidents resulting in multiple suspensions, culminating in a 5 match suspension for striking Josh Carr in the Lions 2004 Grand Final loss to Port Adelaide. He also suffered many injuries that held him back from playing his best.

Brown's return from this suspension in the Round 6, 2005 match against the Essendon at the Telstra Dome received much hype from the football media, and Brown did not disappoint, with a best on ground performance which included 8 goals and 14 marks. Brown continued to show impressive signs throughout the rest of the 2005 season however injury problems, particularly osteitis pubis reduced his impact. Brown did however show much improved discipline compared to his performances in previous years and has not been reported for any on-field infractions since (to end 2007 season).

In May 2005, Brown was targeted by Collingwood in a deal reportedly worth $6 million over the next four seasons, but he was quick to announce that he had no plans to leave Brisbane. Two months later he officially signed a contract committing himself to the Brisbane Lions until the end of the 2008 season in a deal reportedly worth $2 million over three years. In the 2006 Brownlow Medal count, Brown polled 13 votes, enough to secure a top 10 finish despite only playing 10 games that season.

Brown holds the Brisbane club record for most goals kicked in a match (10 goals vs Carlton Football Club - Round 16, 2007). He finished the home and away season with 77 goals, winning the 2007 Coleman Medal for most goals kicked in the home and away season. He was named in the 2007 All-Australian side and was also named the vice-captain of the team.

[edit] Leadership

Brown was promoted to the Lions' leadership group in 2005. Following the retirement of longtime captain Michael Voss in 2006, Brown was strongly favoured to replace Voss as captain. Nevertheless, when the captaincy was announced on 20th March 2007, Brown was named as co-captain alongside Simon Black, Chris Johnson, Nigel Lappin, and Luke Power.^[1] Brown had previously acted as co-captain for the Lions in the 2007 NAB Cup Grand Final, alongside Black, Johnson, and Power, with Lappin out injured.

[edit] Personal life

Brown has three siblings, Matthew, Timothy and Gabrielle, who all live near the small country Victorian town of Koroit with their parents, Brian and Mary. Tim Brown trained with the Lions during the summer of 2006/07, and played in the intraclub scratch match prior to the beginning of the pre-season.Tim Brown eventually joined AFLQ powerhouse, Morningside Panthers. Brian played football with Fitzroy and Jonathan was recruited to the Lions under the father son rule. He is the nephew of former Fitzroy player Noel Mugavin.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Jonathan Brown (footballer) profile on the Official AFL Website of the Brisbane Lions Football Club
• Jonathan Brown (footballer)'s statistics from AFL Tables