Local footy: Campbell Brown signs with country football club for 2021
Former Hawthorn and Gold Coast defender Campbell Brown has put pen to paper with a country club as a playing assistant coach, creating plenty of excitement in the local community.
Local Footy
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Hawthorn premiership star Campbell Brown will play country football in 2021.
The 36-year-old, who made 205 appearances for the Hawks and Gold Coast at AFL level before retiring in 2013, has put pen to paper with Kilcunda Bass.
Club president Shea Eden, who is friends with Brown, said the tough defender was the biggest signing in the West Gippsland league club’s history.
Former North Melbourne and Western Bulldogs gun Phil Krakouer and ex-Richmond and Fitzroy sharpshooter Jeff Hogg are other noteworthy names to take the field for the Panthers after departing the elite level.
Brown, who was selected in the All-Australian team in 2007, has taken up an assistant coaching role.
“He was really keen to give something back to country football, which was pretty exciting for our local club here at Bass,” Eden said.
“The news has been very well received down here. We’ve had plenty of people getting in touch with the club.
“I spoke to Campbell in-depth this morning and made him aware of how important the juniors and young kids were to our club, both football and netball.
“We’re really pleased that Campbell is on the same page. He understands country football, knows what’s needed and we’re so excited to have him and his family down at the club next year.”
Eden said he was unsure how many games Brown will play alongside his media commitments.
“That’s something we’ve left open and will discuss later in the year,” he said.
“It’s something he’s definitely interested in doing and I think it’s good for the league as well, good for football, to have a bloke like Campbell Brown being involved in the West Gippsland comp.”
But Brown remains in good condition and is set to make a sizeable impact when available.
“I’m sure he’d fit into a forward pocket and kick a few goals, no trouble at all,” Eden said.
While this year’s campaign was cancelled amid the coronavirus crisis, the Panthers are coming off two difficult seasons.
After finishing seventh with a 9-9 record in 2017, the senior side has mustered just five wins in the past two years.
“The club has had its fair share of troubles over the last couple of years,” Eden said.
“We feel for the supporters and sponsors, but with the young kids coming through, the future of the club is very bright and very strong.”
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