Nathan Brown

Selected with pick 10 in the 2006 National Draft, Nathan Brown entered the league alongside his twin brother Mitch, quickly establishing himself as a cornerstone of Collingwood's defence. A traditional lockdown full-back, Brown was tasked with nullifying the competition's most dangerous key forwards, playing a crucial role in the Magpies' 2010 premiership triumph where he was instrumental in curbing St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt during the Grand Final replay. His tenure at the Pies was frequently interrupted by injury, most notably a knee reconstruction that wiped out his entire 2011 campaign, but he remained a preferred selection whenever fit due to his discipline and ability to execute a strict defensive role.

Seeking a fresh start and greater security after a decade in black and white, Brown crossed to St Kilda as a restricted free agent at the end of 2016 to add experienced grit to a developing backline. While rarely a high-possession winner, his value lay in his stoic, body-on-body defence that neutralised contests and allowed intercepting teammates to peel off and attack. He served the Saints as a reliable defensive anchor and veteran mentor for four seasons before returning to Victoria from the club's Queensland hub to retire in mid-2020, departing the game as a respected premiership player who built a career on doing the unglamorous work deep in defence.