Former Eagle is on AFL radar

FORMER West Coast big man Mitch Brown could secure an AFL lifeline after an outstanding season playing amateur football at St Kevin’s.

Brown moved from a key defensive position into the midfield in the second half of the season and finished runnerup in the Victorian Amateur Football Association best and fairest.

He was also best on in the Grand Final leading St Kevin’s to the VAFA premiership.

His excellent form has attracted interest from club recruiters, prompting the 195cm utility, who has also dropped a few kilograms, to nominate for this year’s draft. The Ballarat product was hard hit by injury in his nine years at West Coast, suffering two left knee reconstructions and, in his last season there, a debilitating torn finger tendon.

But Brown, 28, said this season helped rekindle his love and enjoyment of the game and that he would relish another opportunity at the top level.

“This year was the one of the most enjoyable years of footy I have had and I think the midfield role in the back half of the season really gave me a new lease on life,” Brown said.