In the 13^th of a Bingle Recruitment Zone special series focusing on 20 highlights from Richmond’s trade/draft history during the off-season, we examine Nathan Brown’s much-publicised move to Tigerland.

Nathan Brown was one of the leading players of the AFL competition, when he decided, at the end of the 2003 season, to quit the Western Bulldogs, where he had played 137 games and kicked 206 goals in a stellar seven-year career.

Brown’s decision attracted plenty of publicity throughout the football world – and no shortage of attention from rival clubs, keen to secure his services.

After due deliberation of the offers put in front of him, Brown opted to continue his league career at Richmond.

“My plans were to stay in Melbourne, and I wanted to go to one of the big clubs, so I could play in front of big crowds, in the big games, and entertain people at the MCG,” Brown said.

“I looked at Richmond’s list, the fact it was 6-2 eight rounds into the 2003 season, plus the passion and aura that came with the Yellow and Black association.  

“In my mind, there was something special about the Richmond Football Club, its history, its supporters, and its song.  

“I wanted to be part of something big being built and, through Greg Miller (the Club’s Director of Football), I felt this was underway at Richmond.

“A few calls from Wayne Campbell, Matthew Richardson and Darren Gaspar got me over the line, and I became a Richmond player.”

The Dogs were extremely reluctant to release the star medium-sized forward, but eventually relented, receiving National Draft picks 6 and 20 from Richmond in exchange for Brown.

Greg Miller rated Brown highly and was extremely confident he would provide a significant boost to the Tigers’ talent stocks . . .

“Nathan’s a quality player who’s ready to take another step in his league career,” Miller said.

“He knows he’s got an important role to play and he’s ready – and really keen – to do it.

“If we can get him back to his All-Australian form, then, along with his experience and leadership around the place, he’ll certainly add a lot to our mix.

“He can be extremely creative in the midfield and has the ability to score goals as well . . .”

Brown had an instant impact with the Tigers, collecting the three Brownlow Medal votes for best afield in their big Round 1, 2004 victory over a Collingwood team coming off a Grand Final appearance in 2003.

The silky-skilled left-footer had a fairly impressive debut season for Richmond, finishing with 26 goals in his 20 games, and polling eight votes in the Brownlow Medal.

It was in the first half of the following season (2005), however, where Brown took his game to a breathtaking level.

Going into the Round 10 clash with Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, Brown had 32 goals on the board - 19 of them coming in a stunning display over the previous four weeks.

Brown had booted six goals against Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium in Round 6, four goals v Carlton at the MCG in Round 7, five goals (all in the last quarter in the wet) v Collingwood at the MCG in Round 8, and four goals v Brisbane at the Gabba in Round 9, to be widely acclaimed as the best player in the competition at that point.

His brilliance up forward provided the catalyst for Richmond to win all four of those games and, by the time the Melbourne game came around, the Tigers were third on the ladder with a 7-2 record.

Sadly, it all came to an abrupt halt that fateful late May Friday night under the Etihad Stadium roof . . .

Brown kicked two goals early in the game before suffering a severe, season-ending broken leg in an horrific incident.

Although Brown did return to the playing field in Round 1 one the following season, he was never the same again, with subsequent complications from the broken leg hindering him for the rest of his AFL career.

He did, however, manage to kick 21 goals in 2007 and 35 goals in 2008, before retiring from league football in 2009.

Despite Brown’s nightmare injury run, he had thrilled the Yellow and Black faithful with his repertoire of silky on-field skills.