Click here to watch Nathan Brown speak to CTV after training on Friday

Making up part of the nucleus to Collingwood’s back six in 2010, Nathan Brown believes he is heading into his fourth season with a stronger understanding of what it takes to play a consistent brand of football at the highest level.

The key position back has already amassed an impressive 37 games since he made his senior debut in 2008 and has made his mark as an old-style backman who thrives in one-on-one contests.

The 21-year-old is boasting a noticeably leaner and stronger body, a credit to the amount of work he has endured since the end of the 2009 season.

“Its very important to find that balance between strength and fitness,” Brown told CTV inside the Lexus Centre after training.

“Last year I got up to 100 kilos and put on a lot of strength. This year I have dropped a lot of puppy fat and have toned it down to about 98 or 96 kilos.

“I am a lot fitter and it’s easier to run along the ground but I have been able to maintain the strength.”

The Magpie defensive, which gave up the second least amount of points in 2009, has a slightly altered look to it under the guidance of new assistant coach Scott Watters.

Watters, who played four seasons under head coach Mick Malthouse for the West Coast Eagles (1989-92), is coaching at the AFL level for the first time after enjoying successive premierships as a head coach in the WAFL (2007-08).

“Scotty is adding more strength to the group.  It’s now been a couple of years since Jimmy Clement and (Shane) Wakelin have stopped playing so we have only had a few years to get to know each other and Scotty understands that.

“He has been great out on the track getting us to form as a strong and connected unit.”

While on-field success plays an important part in Brown’s 2010 goals, he is also focusing on emulating the passion and pride his teammates, namely Nick Maxwell and Harry O’Brien, display every week.

“That’s going to be another one of my goals this year is to leave everything out on the field and give 100%.  That’s what I would like to do this year.  Play with passion.

“That’s what those guys are able to do week in and week out and that’s what I aim to do.”