Ben Brown found himself a Melbourne footballer come the end of the trade period after a deal was struck between his new club and the Kangaroos.
Brown’s 2020 season was derailed by injuries, but the key forward kicked more goals across the previous three years than any other player.
The 27-year-old has explained the year that led his decision to move clubs, including the contract negotiations with North Melbourne that broke down early in the year.
“It was like any negotiation. You try to throw offers at one another. We had a particular stance of how we wanted it to play out, North Melbourne had another,” Brown told SEN Breakfast.
“We were progressing really well and coming towards a conclusion.
“The thing that got to us was the COVID-enforced contract freeze came up when talks were progressing really well. When that freeze ended, North Melbourne had changed their view on what they wanted to do and where they wanted to go as a club after what had happened this year.
“That’s in the past now. That’s happened and I’ve come to terms with it. I’m really looking forward to my new start now.”
Brown admits it was tough to swallow the Kangaroos’ sudden change in direction.
“When you put a lot of time into a club and poured a lot of yourself into it, to have to get used to the idea of being told you are no longer required and it’s best you look elsewhere, that is a difficult thing to come to terms with,” Brown said.
“But I’m pretty excited about the place that I’ve ended up.
“Even myself, from a mental point of view, moving on from what’s transpired this year and getting on with my footy and getting on with life is important for me.
“I’m looking forward to getting stuck in at Melbourne. I’ve got a bit of learning to do now so I’m going to go to work and try to be the best servant I can for the Melbourne footy club.”
Brown had knee surgery late in the 2020 season, but has assured Demons fans he’ll be right to go once pre-season kicks off.
“It was a really minor surgery. Even talking to the surgeon prior to doing it, he thought he could go either way in terms of whether we go for a conservative management approach or elect for surgery,” he said.
“That tells you it’s kind of a minor sort.
“I’ve been progressing really well. I’ve been running for weeks now and it will be good to transfer my programs to Melbourne.
“Barring any setbacks, I should be well and truly up and going by January and just join in pre-season as normal.”
North Melbourne received pick 26, pick 33 and a future fourth round pick for Brown, with Melbourne getting back pick 28 and a future fourth rounder of their own.