A Collingwood supporter since he was a young boy, Gavin Brown played 254 games for the club from 1987-2000. He played in the 1986 under-19s premiership side which eventually formed the nucleus for the club’s 14th flag (1990). He captained the side from 1994 to 1998, won three Copeland Trophies (1989, 1994, 1997), twice an All-Australian (1991, 1994 - VC), captained Victoria (1997), AFL Team of the Year member (1989), AFL Player of the Year (1989) and is currently the head coach of Collingwood’s VFL side (2008-09).
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Click here to watch the part one interview with Gavin Brown at Victoria Park.The interview will be published over the next month in three parts with part one focusing on Gavin Brown’s arrival at Collingwood.
Gavin Brown on his last memory at playing at Victoria Park
It’s a bit of an eerie feeling to come back and walk around the old grandstands. I can remember some of the games I played out here. Particularly when the stands were chockablock full of Collingwood supporters. It was a fantastic environment and great ground to play on.
On recruitment to Collingwood
I played with the Templestowe Football Club and it was in Fitzroy’s area. I wasn’t on Fitzroy’s books so through Collingwood and Ian Flack (recruitment manager), I came to watch a game one day at Templestowe. I went down at Glenferrie Oval and I will never forget it. I was a lifelong Collingwood supporter as a kid and they invited me down in 1984 to watch a practice match.
On playing under-19s
I have fond memories of playing under Keith Burns and I can still hear in my head Keith Burns yelling out on the ground, he had a booming loud voice and was a very strong coach. I can still remember some of the things he taught me. I can remember playing with Gavin Crosisca, Mickey McGuane, Damian Monkhurst and all those fellas in the under-19 days and going on and winning a premiership in 1986.
On moving to the wing
We were out at the Brunswick footy ground. We ended up playing a few games there as it was our home ground because something happened to Vic Park. I was struggling a little bit and Burnsy had me tag a player. I started down back with him and when he went on the ball, I went on the ball. The idea was it allowed me to play on a good player who would take me to the ball and then to hopefully win my fair share from that. It worked. I remember having a really good game and it sort of kick started me.
Click here to watch the part one interview with Gavin Brown at Victoria Park.Check back next week to watch Gavin Brown speaking about winning the 1990 premiership and playing for Victoria.
