EVERY pre-season, a day rolls around that many footy players dread: the day of the 2km time trial.

Melbourne’s AFL side completed its first trial in early December and then a second just last week, when the team returned for the new year.

In just his second pre-season at AFL level, young Demon Kynan Brown produced two podium finishes, behind running connoisseur Harry Sharp.

During both, Brown’s eagerness for the challenge was evident in the results, breaking back-to-back PB's.

The 20-year-old was making his mark early, showing his drive to put his best foot forward in the lead up to the new season.

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Second-year player ready to launch

We sat down with Kynan Brown, as he counts down to the first round the season.

“I think that's something I pride myself on, my endurance and my speed,” Brown said of the time trial.  

“It was good to come second behind Sharpy, something I’ve really been working on during the off-season.

It’s just about running your own individual race; you try and push yourself as much as possible.

“For me, I just want to try and beat my time every time, so it was good to beat both my times back-to-back, I was really happy with it.”

Brown is preparing to enter his second AFL season, having first arrived at the Dees during the 2023 Rookie Draft, joining as a father-son selection.

For those that may not know, graduating to your second year means quite a bit within the pre-season program.

Draftees tend to spend their early time at a club on a restricted program, only gradually integrating into drills and match simulation.

Now, more than 12 months on from first walking through the Demon doors, Brown is experiencing his first full schedule of preparations.

“It’s good to get back into it with the boys and I’m feeling really good,” Brown said.

“[It’s different], I think just knowing the standards and knowing the routine.

Last year I was itching to get into all the drills, so it's good to be in everything now and know what to expect.”

Brown’s 2024 was all about learning, from understanding life as a professional athlete to honing in on his role within the side.

He progressively built his game up over this first year and featured in two senior games across the season.

Brown’s memorable match-winning tackle during his debut match in Round 15 gave fans a glimpse into his grit and tenacity.

His midfield prowess shone while playing in the VFL, averaging 17.3 disposals and six tackles across 16 games, including a dominant display during Round 17 where he amassed a whopping 24 tackles alongside 27 disposals and one goal.

“I came in as a midfielder [in 2023] and as pre-season went on, I leaned towards the wing and forward roles,” Brown said.

“I was leaning on guys like Kade Chandler, Ed Langdon and learning my role as best as possible.

“It was different to U18s footy, so I was learning as much as possible and it's been really good for me.

“Coming into this year, it's just about nailing everything I’ve learned even more.”

With the pressure of his debut no longer lingering, he can now enter 2025 with less pressure and further understanding of what it takes to be an AFL player.

“It was good to get the debut under my belt and now it's just about pushing myself even more,” Brown said.

I want to continue to drive the standards and continue to push for more senior games - that’s something that is definitely a goal for me.

“And just to continue to learn, and learn my role as best as possible.

“I want to continue to grow in the pre-season as a player, we've got some intraclubs and practice matches coming up so it’ll be good to use them to keep growing.

“I'm looking forward to season 2025.”