THERE'S an old adage that says, 'the apple doesn't fall far from the tree', and it certainly applies to Collingwood father-son prospect Tyler Brown.
Much like his dad, Magpie great Gavin Brown, the 17-year-old is a skilful wingman who isn’t a big talker.
The Eastern Ranges product has been giving the Pies' recruiting staff plenty to think about in his first season of TAC Cup football, with the late developer's form across half-back likely to see him join his brother Callum at the Holden Centre at the expense of a late pick in November's NAB AFL Draft.
The softly-spoken Brown told AFL.com.au the chance to play with his sibling at the club he loves would be a dream come true.
"It would be great to play with Callum," he said.
"He's has been a pretty big influence on me by showing me what it takes to play league footy.
"He's told to enjoy my draft year because it's my last year of junior football.
"He motivated me to go down the same path."
A man that knows the Brown family well is Ranges coach Darren Bewick, with the Essendon premiership hero playing many games against Brown snr during the 80s and 90s, and then mentoring his sons in junior footy.
While he says the brothers are "poles apart" in personality and playing styles, Tyler has many similarities to his father.
"He's very much like Gavin, in that he's a shy boy, very introverted in the way he goes about his business, but like his old man, he has a lot of ability," Bewick told AFL.com.au.
"I think he'll end up playing on the wing like Gavin because he's got some attributes that really stand out.
"He's got good pace, he's a good size, a beautiful step and (has good) awareness.
"He's just needs to be a little more consistent but once it all comes to together he's going to be very good player."
"This time last year he wasn't on our radar but he just developed over the past 12 months, and we've seen a few games this season where he's put it all together."
When reflecting on his season, Brown agrees with Bewick that his form fluctuated, but the guidance of his father – an assistant coach at North Melbourne – and the inspiration provided by his brother has given him the belief he can blaze his own AFL trail.
"I had a slow start to the season and then towards the end of the year I started to put a few solid games together," Brown said.
"Dad has been a massive influence on me because he's always helping me with what I can improve in my game.
"I don't feel any pressure being a father-son prospect, and no one is putting any pressure on me to be someone I'm not."
