EDFL: Karl Brown signs with Aberfeldie for 2023 as change awaits

Aberfeldie coach Adam Marcon admits he’s “relieved” to have his new star forward at the club with a key trio on the way out in 2023.

It took a while but Karl Brown is finally in Aberfeldie colours.

One of the Essendon District Football League’s best forwards, Brown has signed with the 2022 Premier Division runners-up for next season.

Abers coach Adam Marcon said Brown had a close group of mates at the club who had been trying to get him across from Essendon Doutta Stars for several years.

“It wasn’t an easy decision for him to leave Douttas,” Marcon said.

“Karl has some strong friendships at the club and those boys have been working at him for a long time.

“He’s a quality person but more importantly a quality person.”

Karl Brown has crossed to Aberfeldie. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Brown arrives at Aberfeldie on the back of a 40-goal season and will provide a major boost to an already talented forward line at Clifton Park.

Sam Paea, Josh Foster and Lucas Rocci were the club’s leading goalkickers last season.

“One of the many strengths of Karl is that he’s able to play a variety of different roles,” Marcon said.

“He’s very good on the lead and using his athleticism to get up the ground but is also a dangerous matchup one-on-one.

“We’ve definitely got some relieved backmen who will only have to chase him around at training.

“I think we’ll have a good mix inside forward 50 next season.”

Jack Mapleson has joined Aberfeldie.

Brown is one of four new or returning players to have been unveiled by Marcon’s side this off-season so far.

Former juniors Josh Kemp and Ryan Martin have returned to the club, meanwhile, Jack Mapleson has crossed from North Heidelberg in the Northern league.

Marcon said bringing former players back to the club was a key pillar in his recruiting strategy.

“I think it’s important to have people who are familiar with the club back,” he said.

“We’ve managed to retain most of our list from last season but there will be a couple of changes. Jack Binns and Zach Hislop are doing some travelling next year so they won’t be available for the full season and Kyle Reimers has retired.

“I think there’s more stability at this time of the year compared to last. There was a bit more movement last season.

“But that meant we were able to get games into the younger guys and we’re already seeing those benefits pay off.”

No decision has been made on Nick Meese’s future playing future either with the star big man taking a “well earned break” over the coming months.

“We’re not putting any pressure on him to make a decision,” Marcon said.

“We’re hopeful but there’s plenty of time for that to play out.”