There is an interesting statistic surrounding Melbourne key forward Ben Brown which could give Demons supporters further hope for Saturday’s Grand Final.
It took a little while for the prized recruit to hit his straps with his new club after crossing from North Melbourne prior to the 2021 season.
Brown didn’t play for the Dees until Round 7, stringing together three games, before he was again out of the side until his Round 17 return.
He has been a permanent fixture since and has played a pivotal role for Simon Goodwin’s side as a marking forward who can bring the ball to ground.
That element has been crucial in bringing small forwards Kysaiah Pickett and Charlie Spargo into the game, which Daisy Pearce highlighted in her assessment of the season-deciding encounter against the Western Bulldogs.
She outlined some key stats which have coincided with Brown’s presence in the Melbourne line-up.
“Ben Brown has played 12 games this year and Kozzy Pickett and Charlie Spargo, two really important small forwards in Melbourne’s side, they’ve played every game, so 24,” Pearce said on SEN’s Whateley.
“It’s perfect symmetry. They’ve played as many games with Ben Brown as they have without Ben Brown.
“In the 12 games they’ve played without him, those guys have combined for 22 goals between them.
“And in the 12 games with Ben Brown in the side, they’ve combined for 35 (goals) between the two small forwards.
“That’s more than a goal a game better from your two small forwards and then throw in the goals Ben Brown has kicked himself which is 22 from his 12 games.
“He’s having an impact.”
Brown did not play in the Round 11 win over the Bulldogs, but kicked two goals and took six marks in the Round 19 defeat.
The 28-year-old combined with Pickett and Spargo for seven goals in the Preliminary Final crushing of Geelong.
The output of the trio could be paramount in the Demons breaking a 57-year premiership drought.