Gavin Brown’s daughter Tarni set to join family dynasty

His sons will never get the chance to run on to Victoria Park but Collingwood legend Gavin Brown’s daughter Tarni could be doing exactly that in the very near future.

Tarni Brown could be the first father-daughter draft pick next year in the AFLW.

Collingwood legend Gavin Brown is recalling the glory years of footy at Victoria Park when he stops himself.

“Well, at least for us Collingwood players it was an amazing ground to play on,” Brown said.

“I’m not so sure about the opposition. You hear a lot of stories.”

Twenty years after the last AFL game at the venue, the Magpies’ AFLW team played their first game at the iconic suburban ground that hosted league matches for more than a century — right through until 1999.

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Brown, who played 51 of his 254 career games at the ground, said he was happy AFLW was helping bring some of the game’s most iconic venues back to life.

“I think it’s fantastic. It would be a shame if they were never used again and Vic Park is a great example of that,” he said.

“I know they play a bit of TAC Cup and VFL there and I watched my young blokes play for Eastern Ranges there and that gave me a bit of a buzz.

“It was a fortress for us and it’s great they’re going to be playing AFLW there.”

Brown’s sons Callum and Tyler are both forging their careers at Collingwood, but it’s the talent shown by his daughter, Tarni, at Eastern Ranges that makes the Brown story so special.

Gavin Brown at home with sone Callum and Tyler. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Tarni Brown could become the Pies’ first father-daughter draft pick next year, putting all three Brown siblings in black and white.

“It would be quite unique. I was thinking about that not long ago,” Brown said.

“But who knows? Time will tell I guess.”

Tarni, who turns 17 next months picked up a Sherrin for the first time two years ago, will play bottom-age TAC Cup for Eastern Ranges this season.

Ranges coach Tom Humphrey last year said Tarni had “something special” and was capable of “freakish things on the ground”.

“She loves her footy, but she’s a basketballer as well,” Brown said.

“She’s played basketball most of her life, but footy was a new challenge for her last year.

“She really enjoyed her footy last year and has the attributes for it, but I’m not sure what direction she’ll take. I’m just pleased she’s doing what she loves doing.”

Gavin Brown’s daughter Tarni in action for Vic Metro.

More than 20 years after her old man ran on to Victoria Park for the last time against the Brisbane Lions, Tarni could be doing the same.

“It feels like a long time ago, that game, probably because it was,” Brown said.

“It was pretty memorable. It was a big thing in Collingwood history and I was fortunate enough to play in it.”