THE BARRAGE of injuries to Hawthorn’s big men was never more evident this year than when Campbell Brown briefly manned up on Fremantle giant Aaron Sandilands in round eight.
With 34cm and 40kg separating the two, it was comical to see Brown taking on the AFL’s biggest player but at the same time it was a reflection of Hawthorn’s lack of tall personnel.
But Brown, who is no stranger to playing on much bigger opponents, says he is happy to rise to the challenge of punching outside his weight division.
“It can be pretty daunting sometimes. It’s never usually too long. We get match-ups pretty right after a while,” Brown said
“A lot of being a backman depends on how the pressure is further up the field. If there is pressure on the kicker coming in to the forward line then anyone’s a chance to get it to ground and defend well.”
Brown is the true utility, capable of playing on any sized player in any part of the ground.
Far from feeling unsettled at having no one set role, he says he is happy to do whatever the coaching staff asks him.
“Wherever the coaches really need me in any particular week or quarter, I’m happy to do that as long as it gives the side the best opportunity of winning,” he said.
“It doesn’t faze me. Being forward, being back. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I’m just happy to play the team role.”
Most of the injured players have returned and the Hawks are looking far more settled. They are now just outside the eight on percentage and many are tipping them to be in the finals action.
But Brown said the team had its work cut out if it was to be a player in September.
“That’s our aim but we know now that because of the slow start and the way we’ve played this year that we’ve put ourselves in an awkward situation,” he said.
“The best part about it is it’s up to us. There are five games to go and we’re going to have to win at least four of them.
"We are going to have to bring the same attitude and approach to the next five weeks as we have in the Collingwood and Geelong games. If we do play like we have been, there is no reason we can’t be really competitive.”
The 25-year-old is now in his eighth season at AFL level and is one of the Hawks’ more senior players.
While he still has plenty of games left in him, Brown has been keeping an eye on life after football by boosting his media profile with appearances on The Footy Show and, at the urging of former teammate Shane Crawford, showing his commentary talents.
He says he would love to get in to sports commentary when his days with the Hawks are done.
“It’s a bit of fun. I’ve always taken off Billy Birmingham from the 12th man and Ray Warren, just mucking around,” he said.
“It probably wasn’t until Crawf said I should try to expand on that and do a bit more that I really considered it.
"It is something that is enjoyable and I love all sports. It is sports-related and something I’d be keen to get into once I finish footy.”
