Well before he’d played 100 AFL games as a bustling young Lion, Jonathan Brown was an accomplished triple premiership player.
Now entering his 100th match as Brisbane captain, Brown admits any dreams of a fourth are unrealistic and making finals can’t be contemplated for a while yet.
There in highlights the feast-then-famine career of one of the game’s best power forwards and proudest clubmen.
“I love leading the boys out every week,” said Brown, who barracked for the Lions throughout his childhood as father Brian played for Fitzroy.
“It’s probably been a rough 100 games but there’s been a few highlights along the way.”
The best was a thrilling elimination final win over Carlton in 2009, coming from five goals down at three-quarter time.
Unfortunately, since then Brisbane have been rooted near the bottom of the AFL ladder.
But Brown adamantly believes there’s light at the end of the Lions’ tunnel despite their 3-6 record in 2012 – and still harbours a desire to lead the club back into the finals in his twilight years.
The 30-year-old looks enviously at Sunday’s opponents West Coast and fellow ladder leaders Essendon, clubs who were both below Brisbane in 2010, but have shot back to the top quickly.
He said a first win over a top-eight side in two years was the current primary goal and a crucial one for the confidence of his young outfit.
“This game can turn around quick,” the 217-game stalwart said. “It’s just a matter of having a healthy list … and then having the development of the younger guys which I know is happening.
“It’s hard to see from the outside but we see it internally and we have to keep chipping away.
“We haven’t been able to beat a side ahead of us for (two years) and if we can get that I’m sure you will see the guys skip ahead quickly.”
Brown joins captaincy predecessor and current coach Michael Voss (210) and Roger Merrett (125) as the only men to have led the Brisbane Lions for 100 games when he runs onto the Gabba against the Eagles.
He’s also relishing the prospect of playing on West Coast skipper Darren Glass, a former Teal Cup opponent who joined him in the 1999 draft.
“He’s definitely in the top handful of defenders I’ve played on throughout my career,” Brown said.
“He’s just dour, very determined and never gives up – they’re always the toughest defenders to play on.”