MELBOURNE has appointed 2010 Collingwood premiership player Leigh Brown as its forward line coach.
Brown joins the Demons just two days after playing in Collingwood’s losing Grand Final to Geelong.
He will reacquaint with new Melbourne senior coach and former Collingwood assistant coach Mark Neeld, who is delighted to have Brown on board.
“I’m very pleased to have Leigh Brown on board. Throughout his playing career, Leigh has had experiences at a number of successful organisations, most recently at Collingwood as a premiership player,” he said.
“Over the four seasons Leigh has completed his coaching education program, and has worked with the coaching group at Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup. He is ready to take the next step at the AFL level.
“He will offer great insight for our players about what is required to be successful at the top level.”
Brown said he was rapt to start his AFL coaching career with Neeld.
“I jumped at the opportunity that presented itself with the Melbourne Football Club,” he said.
“To work with Mark Neeld again was a big positive, and I’m looking forward to starting the next phase of my career as a coach.”
Brown played 246 AFL matches with Fremantle, North Melbourne and Collingwood from 2000-11.
He was originally drafted from Heyfield/Gippsland Power at No.5 in the 1999 AFL Draft.
Brown made 63 appearances with Fremantle from 2000-02, before crossing to North Melbourne where he played 118 matches from 2003-08.
At the end of 2008, Brown was delisted by North Melbourne and given a reprieve by Collingwood.
He was drafted at No.73 overall and reignited his career with the Magpies.
Brown’s versatility was an integral part of Collingwood’s side and in 2010 he played in its two grand finals - becoming a premiership player in the replay against St Kilda.
Although the Pies lost the 2011 grand final, Brown was widely regarded as one of Collingwood’s better players on the day.
He played 65 matches from 2009-11 for the Pies.
In round nine this year, Brown became just the second player in VFL/AFL history, behind Glenn Coleman, to play 50 matches with three clubs.
Brown finished his AFL career as a much-respected player, finishing just four matches shy of 250.
His flexibility and durability were features of his game. He was able to play as a key defender, forward or as a mobile ruckman.
Remarkably, he missed just 33 games (including 14 in 2008) - of a possible 279 - in his career.
Brown averaged 20.5 matches per season and missed just eight games in his first eight seasons.
His best haul in an AFL match was six goals for North Melbourne against Adelaide in round one, 2004.
Brown joins the Demons just two days after playing in Collingwood’s losing Grand Final to Geelong.
He will reacquaint with new Melbourne senior coach and former Collingwood assistant coach Mark Neeld, who is delighted to have Brown on board.
“I’m very pleased to have Leigh Brown on board. Throughout his playing career, Leigh has had experiences at a number of successful organisations, most recently at Collingwood as a premiership player,” he said.
“Over the four seasons Leigh has completed his coaching education program, and has worked with the coaching group at Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup. He is ready to take the next step at the AFL level.
“He will offer great insight for our players about what is required to be successful at the top level.”
Brown said he was rapt to start his AFL coaching career with Neeld.
“I jumped at the opportunity that presented itself with the Melbourne Football Club,” he said.
“To work with Mark Neeld again was a big positive, and I’m looking forward to starting the next phase of my career as a coach.”
Brown played 246 AFL matches with Fremantle, North Melbourne and Collingwood from 2000-11.
He was originally drafted from Heyfield/Gippsland Power at No.5 in the 1999 AFL Draft.
Brown made 63 appearances with Fremantle from 2000-02, before crossing to North Melbourne where he played 118 matches from 2003-08.
At the end of 2008, Brown was delisted by North Melbourne and given a reprieve by Collingwood.
He was drafted at No.73 overall and reignited his career with the Magpies.
Brown’s versatility was an integral part of Collingwood’s side and in 2010 he played in its two grand finals - becoming a premiership player in the replay against St Kilda.
Although the Pies lost the 2011 grand final, Brown was widely regarded as one of Collingwood’s better players on the day.
He played 65 matches from 2009-11 for the Pies.
In round nine this year, Brown became just the second player in VFL/AFL history, behind Glenn Coleman, to play 50 matches with three clubs.
Brown finished his AFL career as a much-respected player, finishing just four matches shy of 250.
His flexibility and durability were features of his game. He was able to play as a key defender, forward or as a mobile ruckman.
Remarkably, he missed just 33 games (including 14 in 2008) - of a possible 279 - in his career.
Brown averaged 20.5 matches per season and missed just eight games in his first eight seasons.
His best haul in an AFL match was six goals for North Melbourne against Adelaide in round one, 2004.
