He started the year without a guaranteed start.
Now rejuvenated Gold Coast Suns veteran Campbell Brown is seriously considering at least another season with the AFL’s rising stars.
Despite his pedigree as a Hawthorn premiership winner, Brown was told by coach Guy McKenna that he had to earn a Suns nod in 2013 after missing the first six weeks due to suspension.
But as he approached his 200th AFL game ahead of Saturday’s Gabba derby clash with Brisbane Lions, Brown did not sound like a man winding down his career.
“I’m feeling fantastic,” he said.
“If I can finish the year off really strongly the way I’ve been playing, I’ll certainly look to play on next year.
“It’s a pretty big nine weeks for the footy club and myself and there’s a few other guys in the same boat.
“I’m not going to rush the decision and just keep plugging along the way we’re going because I think it’s working.”
Brown, 29, will no doubt pose some problems for the Suns as they assess a player list that features fellow off contract veterans Nathan Bock and Michael Rischitelli.
But Brown sounded like a rookie ahead of their derby clash.
“Bluey (McKenna) says a famous quote all the time – ‘don’t count your games, make your games count’,” he said.
“I did a power of work over the six-week break (ban) and I knew my body was physically capable of playing good footy this year and mentally I certainly haven’t lost any of that drive and hunger to be out there in the contest.
“It’s been really good since I’ve come back and the side’s playing well.”
Gold Coast (13th; 5-8 record) are daring to dream of a maiden finals campaign in just their third year but missed a golden chance to move up the ladder with last week’s 28-point loss to Adelaide.
In contrast, Brisbane (14th; 4-9) have been wildly inconsistent.
Still, Brown was not taking anything for granted against a Lions side that has won the last four derbies.
“We understand that Brisbane have got the wood over us,” he said.
“While everyone has been giving us a pat on the back because we’ve been pretty competitive against some good sides, the facts of the matter are we haven’t got the four points on many occasions.
“This is a huge game for the club if we want to continue to playing later in the year, and finals in September.”