The Brisbane Lions are mourning the loss of Fitzroy great and Club Hall of Famer Norm Brown, who sadly passed away yesterday at the age of 79.
Brown played 181 senior games and kicked 77 goals throughout a playing career with Fitzroy that spanned 12 seasons (1962-73).
The North Heidelberg recruit was one of few shining lights for the ‘Roys in the 1960s and early 1970s, winning three successive Best and Fairest awards between 1965 and 1967 and representing Victoria on eight occasions.
He might not have enjoyed a great deal of team success – in fact, he celebrated just 47 wins throughout his 181-game career and never played in Finals – but Brown’s impact on a struggling side was enormous.
“I played (at Fitzroy) for about 12 years and had a terrific time,” Brown was quoted as saying in Chris Donald’s book – ‘Fitzroy: For the Love of the Jumper’.
“The downside of it was that that we never made the Finals. I would have loved to play in a finals series with them – it would have put the icing on the cake.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Fitzroy, I met an awful lot of terrific people, both on and off the field. I’ve gotten terrific memories and mates out of it.”
At just 191cm and 82kg, he was used largely as an under-sized ruckman, and proved as strong and courageous as any of his opponents.
“I virtually rucked all day, and that can be good or bad for a big bloke,” he said.
Brown spent six of his 12 seasons a Kevin ‘Bulldog’ Murray’s Vice-Captain at Fitzroy and was selected to represent Victoria on eight occasions.
After hanging up the playing boots, Brown switched his focus to coaching and led Port Melbourne to three VFA premierships in 1974, 1976 and 1977 before spending a short stint back at Fitzroy as an Assistant in the early 80s.
He remained involved with the Club off the field as an active member of Fitzroy’s Past Players & Officials Association – and served as President for many years after the 1997 merger.
He played a key role in helping integrate Fitzroy’s history into that of the newly formed Brisbane Lions and helped champion support for the merged entity from his fellow ex-players.
Brown was a popular member of Fitzroy’s Team of the Century – which was revealed back in 2001 – and was formally inducted into the Brisbane Lions Hall of Fame in 2014.
CLICK HERE to watch Norm Brown’s Hall of Fame induction video.
His VFL/AFL legacy will now forever live on through the Brisbane Lions.
The Club extends its sincerest condolences to Brown’s family at this difficult time.
