JONATHAN Brown is eager to coach Hampden at interleague level beyond 2017.
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The Brisbane Lions triple premiership player, in Warrnambool for the league’s season launch on Wednesday night, said he wanted to help the Bottle Greens rise up the AFL Victoria rankings.
“It is a year-by-year thing. At the end of the day the league has to be happy with the way I go about it,” Brown said.
“But it is enjoyable. I do miss being involved in football at the coalface, so this is a great opportunity.”
Brown unveiled his one-week campaign plan which will include a Friday night training at the Holden Centre – Collingwood’s home base – the day before their May 13 match at the same venue at the launch. The Bottle Greens will stay at Crown too.
“It will be a very professional feel for the boys. We’re very serious. I know they’ve made a big commitment to get our league back up the state rankings,” Brown said.
“At the moment we’re ranked 11th and I think over the years the Hampden league has shown we have enough talent that we should be well and truly entrenched in the top five in the state.
“We’ll aim for a squad after round two, probably 35 to 40 players, and that will be who we think is the best candidates at that stage.
“Obviously we’ve got an eye for development in the future but the best players will play no matter what their age.”
The Coleman Medallist-turned-media personality said he was thrilled with his support staff.
“Leigh McCluskey is chairman of selectors, Adam Dowie is the greatest coach we’ve seen in this area, Aaron Sinnott has been a legend of the Hampden league and Luke Crane is a former Magarey Medallist as well,” Brown said.
“I don’t think you could have assembled a better group of guys to formulate a plan and help the players put that plan in action.”