The versatile big man was in his sixth season at North Melbourne – having previously spent three at Fremantle – and suddenly found himself spending the majority of his time in the VFL.
For a guy that had missed just eight matches through the first eight seasons of his career – a remarkable feat given his size and build – it was a difficult scenario to deal with.
And when the Kangaroos didn’t offer him a new contract, the change in fortunes hit him hard.
Now at his third AFL club in Collingwood, the 27-year-old is preparing for his 200th senior match.
“I probably thought [my career] was over there for a while,” Brown said before training this week.
While the man himself and others wondered whether they’d seen the last of Brown, the Magpies didn’t believe he had passed his use-by date, selecting him with the 73rd pick in last year’s NAB AFL Draft.
Since arriving at the Lexus Centre the experienced utility has relished his third chance, returning to the regular contributor he was during his time at his former clubs.
Despite the Kangaroos’ doubts in 2008, he never questioned his ability to go on.
“I still thought I could play at the level,” Brown said.
“I think I was still playing some good footy last year, even at VFL level. The opportunities probably weren’t there and weren’t given to me last year, but I still thought I could play at the level.”
Brown has copped his share of scrutiny this season, but he has been used to that for much of his career. He knew it wouldn’t be easy convincing others of his worth but, as is the case at the Lexus Centre, those opinions truly valued come only from within the club’s own walls.
“I’m not too worried about what people outside the club are saying", he said.
He was overlooked for round one of the season, but after the Pies went down to Adelaide he has played every match since.
This year has seen him continue his jack-of-all-trades role. Whether it be providing an option in attack, shutting down a big-name forward or pinch-hitting in the ruck, he is loving his football.
“It’s probably been a little bit more consistent this year,” he said of his own form.
“Even though I’ve probably still played a variety of positions, I’ve probably been a bit more settled throughout games and [I’ve] had some roles, some tasks to do and I’ve just tried to go out and do that each week as best I can.”
Rarely has he let Mick Malthouse down.
The veteran coach showed faith in him by giving him a new life and that trust has filtered through to match days this year.
When Simon Prestigiacomo went off injured against the Brisbane Lions in round 18, one Jonathan Brown could have proved too much for the Pies’ defence.
But Malthouse turned to his Mr Fix-it who, after getting his head around the task, quelled the Lions superstar.
“I’ve played on him a couple of times [before] but I was hoping ‘Presti’ got up,” Brown said of the battle.
“You have your defensive meetings and Presti was set to play on Jonathan but it was a great opportunity for me and a great challenge.”
The first-year Magpie acknowledged Malthouse’s support as well as that of “the whole footy club”.
And, with his spot seemingly assured, he is now looking forward to whatever lies ahead which, if his first season in the black and white is anything to go by, could have the perfect ending.
“Not many people get to go to work each day and do something they love, day in, day out,” Brown said.
“You have better days than others … you play footy to win premierships and play finals footy and that’s what we’ve done this year – we’ve put ourselves in a position to do that and that’s what makes it more exciting.
“We’re a close-knit group, a young group, but we’ve got some real talent and there’s exciting times ahead of us.”
