St Kilda
After crossing from Collingwood at the end of 2016 as an unrestricted free agent, the 29-year-old played every game in his first season at the Saints.
Speaking from St Kilda’s weeklong training camp at Geelong Grammar, Brown said a combination of the workload and the weather made the first month of the year the toughest month of the pre-season.
“It’s by far the hardest month,” Brown told saints.com.au from Geelong Grammar.
“The conditions are really hot and dry. Typically you do a lot of running to a high standard and introduce tackling, high speed and game simulation as well.
“So you’re getting a bit of a taste of footy, while still getting those big running sessions in so it’s definitely tough.”
After taking last year to adapt to St Kilda’s training program and game style, Brown said himself and the clubs other recruits from the 2016 trade period – Koby Stevens and Jack Steele – have been able to leave their mark this summer.
“Coming across to the Saints, the training program is a lot different to what I’m used to and others too (Stevens and Steele),” he said.
“Last year was that transitional year where you try and get up to speed with the St Kilda style of play; the quick bursts; running type of game.
“Whereas this pre-season, I feel we’re up to speed with the rest of the boys and we can lead from the front and be confident in the way we play and our fitness level."
Brown, who finished 10th in the Trevor Barker Award last season, is at the back end of his 12th pre-season and knows if he can complete the majority of the summer it will set him up for the year ahead.
“For me, it’s about ticking off every session and feeling great with the body,” he said.
“I find that if you tick off sessions – you don’t have to be a superstar in every session – you generally don’t get injured throughout the year. Touch wood when I say that, but that’s my mantra.
“The more you’re amongst the boys and amongst the hard work and the more you get to practice the game plan, the more confident you go into the season.”
