Brown to play on at Lions in AFL

Brisbane have received a welcome boost in what is shaping as a difficult period, with Jonathan Brown to continue his decorated AFL career for a 15th season under new coach and triple premiership teammate Justin Leppitsch.

The power forward, who turns 32 later this month, agreed to a one-year contract extension after meeting with Leppitsch, who replaced another member of the 2001-03 Lions dynasty, Michael Voss, as head coach.

“I’ve still got the passion to play, but I was also mindful of the fact that the new coach might have other plans,” said Brown, whose 2013 campaign ended prematurely when he underwent minor knee surgery.

“But I had a good chat with Leppa and he basically laid out his plans and said he saw me as being part of them.

“I feel as though I still have some pretty good footy left in me, particularly after finishing last season earlier than I would have liked.

“Plus, with such a young group, hopefully I can play a role in helping to continue bring that next generation of Lions forwards through.”

The only other player on the Lions list to have played in their past three premiership teams, Brownlow medallist Simon Black, has yet to decide whether to continue in 2014 after battling knee and groin injuries this year.

Brown kicked 28 goals in 15 matches in 2013, lifting his career tallies to 573 goals in 245 games.

The triple best and fairest winner was the Lions’ stand-alone skipper from 2009-12 and co-captained the club with Jed Adcock in 2013.

Brisbane finished 12th in 2013, with Voss departing with three weeks of the home and away season remaining after learning his contract would not be renewed.

Young stars Jared Polec, Sam Docherty, Elliot Yeo and Billy Longer are all looking for new clubs next year, making Brown’s decision to play on even more significant for a club which has only reached the finals once in the past nine years.

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