Ex-Eagle Mitch Brown seeks second AFL chance after VAFA success

FORMER West Coast big man Mitch Brown could secure an AFL lifeline after an outstanding season playing amateur football in Melbourne.

Former Eagle Mitch Brown was best on ground for St Kevin’s in the VAFA grand final.

FORMER West Coast big man Mitch Brown could secure an AFL lifeline after an outstanding season playing amateur football at St Kevin’s.

Brown moved from a key defensive position into the midfield in the second half of the season and finished runner-up in the Victorian Amateur Football Association best and fairest.

He was also best on in the Grand Final leading St Kevin’s to the VAFA premiership.

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Former Eagle Mitch Brown was best on ground for St Kevin’s in the VAFA grand final. Picture: AAP

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The Herald Sun understands his excellent form has attracted interest from club recruiters, prompting the 195cm utility, who has also dropped a few kilograms, to nominate for this year’s draft.

The Ballarat product was hard hit by injury in his nine years at West Coast, suffering two left knee reconstructions and, in his last season there, a debilitating torn finger tendon.

But Brown, 28, said this season helped rekindle his love and enjoyment of the game and that he would relish another opportunity at the top level.

“This year was the one of the most enjoyable years of footy I have had and I think the midfield role in the back half of the season really gave me a new lease on life,” Brown said.

“I have loved my move back to Melbourne and I’m really content with everything if I don’t get another chance (at AFL) that’s fine, I love my job.

“But then I did get a told there may a few people interested and some clubs interested and so I had a chat to (partner) Shae about it.

“If I had the opportunity to play pro football again I know how amazing that would be and I would give it everything.

Brown played finals footy for the West Coast Eagles and is hoping for a second chance.

“I would be saying to a coach ‘I reckon I can play a role off-field as well with club culture and leadership around the young guys and some mentoring’.”

St Kevin’s football manager and Collingwood premiership player Michael Christian said Brown “had blossomed moving into the midfield” this year.

“I was surprised he wasn’t picked up (by an AFL club) last year but I would be shocked if he wasn’t on clubs’ radars now after the year he has had,” Christian said.

“He’s a terrific person and the way he embraced the playing group this season was outstanding and he could not have been more impressive on or off the field.

Brown said he had improved his endurance running this year and had not any had trouble with any of his previous injury issues, playing every game of the season.

In one game for St Kevin’s this year, the No.16 draft pick in 2006 kicked six goals from the midfield.

The 94-AFL gamer also altered his perspective on the game, after heaping pressure on himself in his final years at West Coast.

“Being outside the AFL bubble has taught me a lot of things, one of them take the pressure away so you can actually enjoy what you are doing,” Brown said.

“Enjoy the challenge of playing good footy because when I took the worry and stress out of it, you’re amazed how much better footballer you become.

“And I fell in love with footy again. I liked watching it and going to games, listening to it on the radio, reading articles. That’s how it should be, and that’s how it was as a young kid.”