Former Collingwood midfielder Callum Brown joins Marcellin

A former Marcellin student turned AFL pro is set to pull on the maroon again. The “exciting” recruit is just one reason why the coach is feeling “really optimistic“ about the season. Here’s more.

VAFA Premier C club Marcellin has recruited former Collingwood footballer Callum Brown ahead of the season.

The 24-year-old is set to play three games for the Eagles in 2023 and could potentially play more if the club make finals.

Brown played 70 games for the Magpies between 2017 and 2022 after being drafted to the popular AFL club at pick 35 as a father-son selection.

He attended Marcellin College and won AGSV First football premierships in 2015 and 2016.

The Eagles top recruit is the son of former Magpies great, Gavin, who was a 1990 AFL premiership player, three-time best-and-fairest winner, club captain and two-time All-Australian.

Brown is set play with Box Hill Hawks in the VFL for a large part of the season and he could possibility get snapped up in the AFL mid-season draft.

But before a potential AFL lifeline, Brown could make his Eagles debut in Round 5 when they take on Ormond on May 13 which is the same weekend Box Hill has a bye.

Callum Brown in action for the Magpies against Geelong, Round 1, 2019. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)

Eagles president David Howe was aware of the possibilities for Brown but also excited to have him on board.

“To say we are thrilled is an understatement,” Howe said.

“We are absolutely ecstatic.

“He brings with him six years of going to school at Marcellin and his core of best mates are actually now the senior leaders of the footy club this year.”

Marcellin new recruit Callum Brown. Picture: Marcellin OFC

Brown was enticed to join the club due to the prospect of playing alongside his close friends which make up a large part of the senior playing list.

In particular, house mate and Eagles vice-captain Lachlan Rush, who was key to bringing the dashy midfielder-forward across to Bray Oval.

Howe said the recruit of Brown, a former Marcellin College student, was “a classic example” of how the club was benefiting from having a strong relationship with the school.

The two groups share Bray Oval at the college.

In 2023, the Eagles will be looking to earn promotion into B-grade after a decade in VAFA’s Premier C.

The 52-year-old club were a “strong A-grade club” in the early 2000s and even after a year of relegation, they bounced straight back into the top flight.

Marcellin seniors celebrating their premiership victory against Old Essendon in 2008.

Eagles coach Simon Abrahams, who was a part of the B-grade premiership in 2008, said he pleased to have Brown back at Bray Oval.

“It is really exciting for the club,” Abrahams said.

“When I saw he was playing VFL with Box Hill, we were really keen to get him on board and affiliate him back with the club.

“So the fact that he has signed with us.

“We are over the moon about it.”

Marcellin coach Simon Abrahams talking to his players during last year’s clash against Monash Blues. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Abrahams said it was “great” to also pick up a handful of former school players who had been playing in other local leagues.

The recruits are set to add strong depth to the squad.

Abrahams was positive about the possibilities ahead for the Eagles this season.

“We are really optimistic with how we are going this year,” he said.

“We are still a young list but as I said we are quite optimistic and playing finals is our focus.

“And I guess having previous success with the club in 2008, there are definitely some parallels there with the leadership we have got and playing ability.

“I think our key focus needs to be on bringing consistency to our competitiveness.”

Abrahams, who is also an assistant coach of the Marcellin First XVIII football side, said he was pleased with the players attitude this pre-season.

“What has been really pleasing this pre-season is it has really been player driven,” he said.

“I think the voice and energy from the playing group has really pushed the standard of training.

“And from a coaching perspective, we have really needed to facilitate drills and focus more on teaching and education because the playing group has really held each other accountable with what we want to do.

“So the fact that it has been player driven is a really positive sign for us.”

The Eagles, who finished eighth last season, will take on Hampton Rovers in Round 1 on Saturday, April 15.