Leigh Brown – The Magician | Thebigtip

Those were the words Bruce McAvaney blurted out last night when ‘Leroy Brown’ kicked a torpedo from 70 metres that somehow bounced on its point and went through for a fantastic goal. Shane Warne was famous for turning the ball at the MCG but this was unbelievable. From that moment on it was certainly ominous that it would be Collingwood’s night.

I am a North Melbourne supporter and when Leigh Brown came to the club back in 2002, I thought he would be a pretty good pickup if he could keep fit but during his time at North he was the most frustrating player to watch. He had patches of brilliance, kicking 6 goals against Adelaide in 2004, taking big pack marks and kicking long goals, but inconsistency was his nemesis. Fans would cry out for him to use his body as he was so big but this seldom occurred.

He was later in the leadership group, but that was as high as he went in the club. Most North Melbourne supporters were glad to see the back of him when he got delisted at the end of the 2008 season.

Many  supporters were bemused when Collingwood read out his name at the draft but Mick Malthouse ‘the master class’ coach knew what he was doing.

His first season at Collingwood was a bit up and down, it saw some moments of brilliance and some unforgiveable moments but supporters and coaches alike  would probably have given it a pass. Brown kicked an important goal late in the semi final against the Crows in 2009, and played a better than average game in the Cats clinical thrashing of the Pies the following week, kicking numerous goals.

This season Brown has been fantastic. He has stood up in big games and delivered when Collingwood needed a lift. He is the ultimate utility player; he can play back on the champions like Jonathan Brown, play in the ruck and hold his own on the likes of Brad Ottens, play in the forward line and provide a target and kick numerous goals. earning him the title "Mr Fix It" from Malcolm Blight and numerous footy commentators. Perhaps his best effort came against St Kilda on a Saturday afternoon, earlier this season when  he booted 3 clinical goals(one from 50 metres out, one on his left non preferred foot  and one from the boundary) to lead his team to the top of AFL ladder heading into the Finals series.

His kicking was a strong point when he was at North Melbourne, he was a great kick outside 50 metres but the problem was he never got much of the ball. This season he has been taking one handers, kicking miracle goals and providing a solid presence in the ruck. Mick Malthouse is a genius, as much as opposition supporters hate Collingwood, all would probably agree that Mick Malthouse has done a great job to get ‘used players’ like Brown, Ball and Jolly to the club. Their contribution to an almost flawless season has been truly remarkable.

As an opposition supporter, if Collingwood does in fact win the premiership, I hope Leigh Brown alias ‘Boggler’ ( a nickname from his time at North Melbourne, when he was responsible the kids part of the Roos News magazine) has a good game and possibly wins the Norm Smith Medal.

An interesting fact about ‘the Anvil’ (the Collingwood nickname for him) is that he has played over 200 games and if he keeps up this form, he could be a possible 300 game player. Who would have thought ‘Browny’ would be going so well when his career looked certain to finish when North Melbourne delisted him,

All kudos to the Anvil or Boggler, or whatever you want to call him. Keep up the good work and if worst comes to worst and Collingwood does win the flag, let’s hope that Leigh Brown wins the Norm Smith and has a fairy-tale end to the season.....and this North Melbourne supporter would love to again see him in a blue and white striped footy jumper.