It has been a whirl wind few years for former Werribee player Ben Brown.
Just two years ago the lanky Tasmanian was representing the Tasmanian State League against the VFL.
In that game he caught the eye of then Werribee recruiter Mark Stone, who was instantly drawn to Brown’s athletic ability below his knees for a player 199cms tall.
When Stone contacted him about a move to the VFL, the time was right for Brown to cross Bass Strait and follow his dream of an AFL career.
After a season playing for Werribee, the Tigers AFL affiliate North Melbourne saw enough in the 21 year old to draft him at pick 47 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft.
Last Sunday Brown made his AFL debut, kicking his first AFL goal along with eight disposals, five marks and more importantly 100% efficiency, completing what has been a long journey for Brown.
"I had it in my head that I wanted to play AFL football, and thought I had the capability to do it.
"It was probably the thing that made me look at moving (to Werribee) in the first place. Once I got to Werribee it was about enjoying my football and trying to improve in every way I could," Brown said.
While it seems like a quick move through the ranks, Brown had to overcome initial disappointment at not reaching his AFL dream.
"I missed out on three successive drafts when I was a 17/18 year old. I then had a knee reco and a few years playing state footy, so it (has) seemed like a fair while in the making.
"The belief was always there that I could do it and had the support from those around me saying that I could make it, so it is great to finally get my opportunity and hopefully I can keep on doing my best to give my best to the team. "
Having reached the AFL, injury again struck, with Brown having to overcome early setbacks.
"I have had a few injuries along the way, and to have a foot injury then a knee arthroscope at the start of the year after a training injury, it was pretty tough," Brown said.
"The rehab group is tougher to be in than the main group at AFL level because you are constantly doing all the conditioning stuff and not very much out on the track.
"It was difficult to get back playing, but I just tried to do everything right that I could, and learn along the way to get used to the way that North play their football."
Brown made his return through Werribee in Round 7 against Sandringham, and after a consistent month of football with the Tigers kicking nine goals from four games in a dual ruck/forward role, he was given his AFL debut against Melbourne. The message given to him in his debut was to keep it simple.
"It was just a matter of keeping it simple and doing the team things right. I needed to run to the right places, and follow the leading patterns like we do at training all the time," Brown said.
"Drew Petrie, Aaron Black and all the coaching staff said it is like a game of VFL, it is like we do at training - just run to the right spot when you need to, pressure hard, and do all the team things well and the rest will follow.
Brown was the sixth VFL draftee from 2013 to debut this year, following on from former teammates Luke McDonald (Werribee/North Melbourne) and Ben Ross (Werribee/Hawthorn), plus Sam Lloyd (Frankston/Richmond), Zac O’Brien (Essendon/Brisbane) and Patrick Ambrose (Essendon VFL/Essendon AFL).
CLICK HERE to hear the full interview with North Melbourne's Ben Brown.
Last Modified on 26/06/2014 01:25