Collingwood has today made history by recruiting the club’s first AFLW father-daughter pick, Tarni Brown.
Daughter of Collingwood great, Gavin Brown, and sister to the AFL program’s Callum and Tyler, Tarni will join the club’s 2021 AFLW campaign.
The draft pick Collingwood will use to select Brown is to be disclosed at the 2020 AFLW national draft next Tuesday, October 6.
In November last year, Brown was selected in the 2020 AFLW academy. The 18-year-old joined 35 other female footballers for an accelerated football and personal development program.
The program involved high performance camps and training sessions with AFLW clubs across the country.
Known for her skill on the basketball court, Tarni Brown picked up a Sherrin for the first time three years ago.
For two seasons Brown has played in the NAB League Girls competition for the Eastern Ranges – the same junior club as her brothers. This year she was awarded a position in the side’s leadership group.
“It’s a great honour to start my AFLW career at Collingwood,” Brown said.
“I hope to one day establish a name for myself at the club but for now to contribute to the Brown family legacy is a privilege.”
Collingwood AFLW coach Steve Symonds welcomed Brown to the Holden Centre, a club rich with her family’s history.
“Today marks a special day in Collingwood’s history. We are very pleased to be able to announce Tarni as our first ever father-daughter pick for the club,” Symonds said.
“It’s an exciting moment for our club and even more so for Tarni and her family.
“When Tarni was born 18 years ago, I am not sure her father, Gavin, would have pictured his daughter playing football, let alone at the same club in which he played with such distinction.
“What a proud moment for Gavin and Kerry to have their daughter join her two brothers in the black and white stripes. To have three siblings play at the same AFL club at the one time is extremely rare.
“Tarni joins the club with a genuine football talent and quality character. We believe she will become an exciting asset of our women’s program.”
Oldest brother Callum was drafted to the Pies in 2016 and has played 49 games since his Queen’s birthday debut against Melbourne in 2017. This year the 22-year-old has kicked 8 goals and become one of the team’s leading pressure players.
Drafted at pick 50 one year after his brother, Tyler Brown made his debut in Collingwood’s opening round against the Western Bulldogs this year. The 20-year-old has played nine games for the side.
Gavin Brown played 254 games for Collingwood from 1987 to 2000. A three-time All Australian, Brown captained the side for five seasons from 1994 and won the Copeland Trophy on three occasions.
Collingwood has access to five picks in the 2020 AFLW national draft, with picks 19, 25, 26, 31 and 33.
Brown will commence pre-season training with Collingwood’s AFLW squad in November.
