While the additions of more experienced players in Nick Dal Santo and Robin Nahas will add to the club’s depth, it’s the club’s emerging youngsters that have the greatest upside.
“It’s a young group, but it’s growing. The Ziebell’s and Cunnington’s of the world have got a little bit more experience under their belt,” Brown from the club’s first-year players’ camp on Wednesday.
“The growth is going to come from underneath, and the expectations are that those players improve and as a club we improve.”
While the draftees won’t be feeling any pressure to perform so early in their transition to senior football, Brown has been impressed by their progress.
Spending the week in Hobart, Kayne Turner, Trent Dumont, Joel Tippett and local boy Ben Brown have enjoyed some unique forms of training.
“It’s been hectic and a fantastic experience for the first year players.
“It’s a good mix for the players because they work really hard but they also get to have a bit of fun.”
Mountain-bike riding early in the camp was followed by an obstacle course at Redbanks. Archery was also in the schedule.
“It’s all part of the players getting to know us and the coaches getting to know them. Even when you do the competitions, a bit of the competitive juices come out between everyone,” Brown added.
“They’ve been terrific. They don’t complain, they get on with it and they’ve been very coachable.”
Brown’s playing and coaching career has been largely spent under some of the game’s great coaches, from Leigh Matthews to Mick Malthouse.
It’s no surprise he is using the knowledge gained in a new role at North.
“Every coach you work under and play under is someone you can bring something from, as well as your own ideas.
“I would hope there would be some ideas from Mick and Leigh and particularly those two given I worked under them for so long.”
In a far cry from what would have been the case during Brown’s playing career, he has nothing but praise for his new surroundings.
“It’s a different environment (at North), but essentially all clubs are pretty similar – everyone’s working hard to win a premiership.
“The resources and the facilities are excellent and I’ve been really excited by the move.”
Check out some of the best photos from the first-year players' camp here
