Talented, young Richmond defender Tom Brown continues to make impressive progress in his third season on the Club’s playing list.
Taken by the Tigers with their second pick (No. 17 overall) in the 2021 AFL national draft, Brown spent the entire 2022 season at VFL level.
He subsequently was sidelined for the first few months of the 2023 season because of a fractured wrist but managed to make his senior debut with Richmond in the final home-and-away round following a string of strong performances in the VFL.
The 20-year-old has made six senior appearances so far this season and he’s quickly become a fan favourite among the Tiger Army due to his composure, reading of the play and elite kicking skills.
Brown was one of the Tigers’ best in last Sunday’s loss to Fremantle at the MCG with 17 disposals, seven marks, five rebound-50s, three score involvements, three intercepts and 493 metres gained.
In his six AFL games this season, Brown is averaging 13.5 disposals, 4.0 marks, 5.2 intercepts. 2.5 rebound-50s and 308.7 metres gained per match.
He is ranked second among AFL rising star contenders in intercepts per game, fourth in total rebound-50s, fourth in metres gained per game, sixth in kicks per game and sixth in total contested marks.
Although they are good numbers for a player in the early stages of his AFL career, Brown is keeping his feet firmly planted on the ground (apart from when flying for marks on match day).
“I’m just enjoying playing every week . . . I want to get better every day and hopefully play the next week and then the next week . . . just taking it one step at a time,” Brown told Richmond Media after Sunday’s game.
As for his rapier-like kicks to teammates, Brown is similarly self-effacing . . .
“The boys are giving me some good leads, so I’ll honour their lead. That’s all it really is. I just practise that like I practise everything else,” he said.
