Veteran Demon Ben Brown calls time on 175-game AFL career

Known for his wild hair and long goalkicking run up, veteran Demon and former Roo Ben Brown is hanging up his sizeable boots after 175 AFL games.

Josh Barnes

@Josh__Barnes

less than 2 min read

August 19, 2024 - 6:32PM

Ben Brown of the Demons celebrates a goal during the 2023 AFL Round 17 match between the St Kilda Saints and the Melbourne Demons at Marvel Stadium. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

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Demon and Roo spearhead Ben Brown has announced his retirement after bagging 360 goals and a premiership.

Melbourne has not ruled out a farewell game for the full forward, with the Demons to end their season on Friday night against Collingwood.

Brown is in sparkling form, having bagged six goals in a VFL drubbing with Casey Demons on Saturday.

A mature-age recruit, Brown was pulled out of the VFL by North Melbourne in 2013 and soon established himself as a reliable goalkicker famous for his eccentric, long run up to goal.

He booted over 60 goals in three straight seasons from 2017-19 before losing form in the 2020 season.

He was recruited by the Demons and booted three goals in the triumphant 2021 grand final before injury, led by knee woes, reduced his impact.

Brown thanked both his AFL clubs before unsurprisingly touching on his career highlight in 2021.

Ben Brown of the Demons celebrates kicking a goal during the round one AFL match between Melbourne Demons and Western Bulldogs Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“To be able to hold the premiership cup aloft with my teammates is something I will remember forever,” he said.

“It’s an achievement I’m incredibly proud of. I look forward to reflecting on it further in retirement and maintaining a special bond with all involved in years to come.”

The most recent of Brown’s 175 games came in round 10 against West Coast.

Brown’s impact wasn’t limited to game day, with the big man a finalist in the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award in both 2018 and 2023 and having raised more than $90,000 for childhood cancer charity Challenge.

He is currently a talls coach with Melbourne’s AFLW side.