His output of 36 goals from 24 games leading up to the biggest game of his life was well beyond his years and even caused some to begin comparing him to North Melbourne gun centre half-forward Wayne Carey.
After a best afield performance against Essendon earlier in the season at the Gabba, the Bombers targeted Brown as one of the Lions’ key weapons. The young forward’s reply was simple - “bring it on!”
Brown booted his first goal of the 2001 Grand Final late in the second quarter, but Essendon quickly took control of the match with three consecutive goals within six minutes to open a slender lead at half-time.
The team responded after the main break and when Craig McRae speared a bullet-like pass onto the chest of Brown deep in the pocket 22 minutes into the third term, the Lions had an opportunity to reclaim the lead.
The composed teenager calmly booted the Lions’ ninth goal for the game, giving the team its first lead since early in the second quarter and a sniff of victory.
From that point the Lions never looked back, booting six of the next seven goals to set up a match-winning lead.
It proved a significant moment of the match that was shouldered by a player in just his 38th AFL game.
“In my second year of AFL football, a dream had come true and it was great to see all my team-mates who had been playing for years finally living their dream,” Brown said after the triumph.
“After the first touch of the cup, I didn’t want to let it go. None of the boys did. We were all trying to drink champagne out of it at the same time,” he said.
Share your stories from the 2001 Grand Final and go into the draw to WIN tickets to the Brisbane Lions' Premiership Anniversary Dinner and Season Launch on Friday 18 March.
Simply CLICK HERE and explain - in 100 words or less - what made the Lions' 2001 premiership triumph so memorable for you.
Entries must be received before Wednesday 9 March with the winner to be notified by Friday 11 March.
For more information about the Premiership Anniversary & Season Launch event, please click here
