The Jonathan Brown tribute lunch at Crown last Friday was, as expected, a packed house full of wonderfully brave stories of the Brisbane Lions champ.
Everyone had a story to tell, from Dermott Brereton to Chris Johnson, but it was the legend Leigh Matthews who had the crowd spellbound.
Matthews listed his five favourite Brown moments and it’s fair bet no one will pick his No. 1.
No. 5: The 2003 Grand Final v Collingwood
It was the centre bounce to start the game and Brown came off the square and Magpie Scott Burns went at Brown. Down went the big guy with, half unconscious and he didn’t even get a free kick. “You got up,’’ said Matthews. “You go up.’’ Brown responded: “I wore it as a badge of honour, you always had to get up.”
No. 4: Round 20, 2001, v Sydney
The Swans lead by six points with 30 seconds to play when Brown took a leading chest mark. The runner, Shaun Hart, told him to have shot because there was not time left. From 60m, Brown kicked the drop punt from one of those galloping Brown run-ups. “You looked like you were born to take the pressure,’’ Matthews said.
No. 3: Round 6, 2005, v Essendon
Brown was suspended for five games resulting from his fracas with Port Adelaide in the ‘03 Grand Final and met Essendon first-up. He booted eight goals and was rested for the last 20 minutes of the game. “That was the best game you played,’’ Matthews said.
No.2. Round 17, 2002, v Hawthorn
We’re talking the mark, when Brown ran back with the flight of the ball and not only marked the Sherrin but pulverised Hawk Jade Rawlings coming the other way. “You conquered your fear,’’ Matthews said.
No.1. The 2002 Grand Final v Collingwood
There was 95 seconds to play in the third and the Lions were down by seven points. Brown took a mark on the Southern Stand flank, city end, and from 45m near the boundary kicked truly. Voss follows 30 seconds later with another. “It was the best goal of my career,’’ Brown said.
And to make it even more historic, Brown’s wet-weather boots were left in Brisbane and 10 minutes before the game he chose to wear Justin Leppitsch’s boots after Leppa opted to stay with the mouldeds.
