CTV > Post-match interview with Nathan Brown
CTV > Watch Nathan Brown get soaked as he sings the club song


Nathan Brown described winning his first game of AFL football as one of the best feelings of his life.

The 19-year-old key defender admitted to getting a little emotional as the reality of having been part of a victory set in as he left the ground following the Magpies’ 26-point opening round triumph over Fremantle .

“One of the best feelings of my life, it was really emotional coming off the field, it was really good, a dream come true,” Brown told CTV immediately after singing ‘Good Old Collingwood Forever’ for the first time.

But despite the euphoria of experiencing win number one, Brown is keeping his head down as he embarks on a mission to cement his place in the side for the duration of 2008.

“Now I’ve got to back it up for 22 weeks, it’s really exciting.”

Brown, drafted from North Ballarat with the 10th overall pick in the 2006 draft, was thrust into the limelight when told to stand Fremantle star Matthew Pavlich, but the youngster certainly didn’t look overawed, keeping Pavlich to one goal and playing a significant role in the win.

While Pavlich worked hard to try and have an impact on the game, Brown was able to stay with him and apply immense pressure, particularly when Pavlich got himself into dangerous positions.

His attitude, however, isn’t one of being overawed by his big name opponents, rather his focus was on beating the player and not the name, and getting the defensive basics right.

“Just another player to get on top of. All I want to do is get the ball out of the backline, that’s the aim of the game for me.”

Brown finished with three kicks, five handballs and four tackles, and while he didn’t set the stats sheet alight, it was his effort, intensity and willingness to keep Pavlich in check that were most impressive.

Collingwood went into the game with a great deal less experience than their counterparts from the west, but the young Magpies never buckled even when Fremantle kicked ahead in the third term, eventually running over the top and booting six final-term goals.

Even after just one game, Brown has clearly been inspired by the Collingwood ethos.
“That’s the Collingwood thing, the passion we have, we stick it out, we never give up, we end up never losing the fight.”

Over the past 12 months the Magpies have blooded a large number of youngsters, with many exceeding all expectations, and Brown looks to be another quality youngster the club has unearthed.

“It’s a credit to the staff at Collingwood, they prepare us. Richo (development manager Alan Richardson), with the development program, he prepares us for the game, we’re ready to go, and we don’t let the team down.”