Ex-roo Tries Out With Pies

The Sunday Age

Sunday November 16, 2008

By DAN SILKSTONE

DISCARDED Kangaroos defender Leigh Brown is training with Collingwood, hoping to trade blue stripes for black through the national draft.

Brown was officially cut by North Melbourne on Friday, but had known for a fortnight he would be let go. He learned his career at Arden Street was over while holidaying overseas.

Upset at first, the 26-year-old took a couple of days to think through his future, but said he knew instinctively he wanted to play on.

"Collingwood would be an unbelievable club to get to and play for," he said.

"My fingers are crossed, but you have to put your name in the draft and I want to keep playing AFL footy. I'll play anywhere."

While the bulk of Collingwood's squad is doing altitude training in Arizona, Brown is part of a 12-strong group left behind that also includes Brisbane Lions discard Colm Begley.

Chosen with the No.5 pick in the 1999 draft, Brown has been remarkably durable, playing 181 games - more than all but one of his fellow 1999 draftees.

But the big-bodied key defender fell out of favour with coach Dean Laidley this year, managing just nine games for the season.

He now hopes to join a Collingwood back line weakened by the retirement of Shane Wakelin.

"I wouldn't be out there training if I didn't think I had something to offer Collingwood," he said.

"It has been good to get back out there in a team environment, even though lots of the guys are overseas."

Brown said he had been disappointed to be cut by North Melbourne, but was not surprised when the bad news arrived.

"When you only play 12-odd games and you've been around footy as long as I have, you know that it might be coming," he said.

"Now I just need to put my head down and train hard and show everyone I have something to offer."

Brown said he was in good physical shape with no niggling injuries or post-season surgery needed.

"Now I am just keen to show what I can do, keep my fitness high and show Collingwood and any other team that I can put my best foot forward," he said.

© 2008 The Sunday Age

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