CAMPBELL Brown is back for another rumble in the navy blue.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Hawthorn premiership player and former Gold Coast Sun is set to line up for Ballan in its home clash with back-to-back grand finalists Buninyong on May 31.
It will be Brown’s second game in Ballan colours after making his debut in a narrow loss to Waubra in round two. On this occasion, the 30-year-old had a limited on-field influence, but told The Courier after the match that he was keen to play again later in the season.
Brown’s former Hawthorn teammate and Blues’ senior coach Mark Williams has facilitated the return trip.
Ballan president Billy Smith said it was another exciting occasion for the club.
“He totally enjoyed himself last time he came up and was a bit disappointed we couldn’t get the four points. It’s good to have that relationship with Mark to be able to attract the bigger-named players,” Smith said.
Smith said Brown’s early-season appearance helped draw one of the biggest crowds to Ballan in some time.
“We were always hopeful he would want to come back again and he said he was keen to come back and play with Willow (Williams) and the boys. He really enjoyed the day,” he said.
Brown had always kept his options open for a return to the Central Highlands Football League following his appearance in April and will be cleared back to Ballan following a cameo appearance in Tasmania.
“The boys made me feel really welcome and they are a great bunch of guys so I really enjoyed it, but just a bit disappointed we couldn’t get the four points,” he said after the round two defeat.
Ballan, ninth on the ladder, will be chasing a fourth-straight win in Brown’s return after victories over Rokewood-Corindhap, Smythesdale and Creswick.
tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au