“Looking at empty grandstands just felt funny from an energy point of view,” the former Brisbane Lions champ says.“And I felt sorry for the players – I mean I know they are professionals, but it still must have been hard going with no crowds or smaller crowds.” He adds with a laugh: “It’s like my last couple of years at the Brisbane Lions …”Fox Footy launched its new line-up of talent and programs last week and taking centre stage was new recruit Nathan Buckley. Brown’s full of praise for the former Collingwood coach. “He’s going to be great – he is really insightful,” he says. “And even though Bucks comes across as a serious cat when he was coaching, he knows how to have a laugh and have plenty of fun.” We all saw a different side of Buckley on Ten’s I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Here! earlier this year, and Brown thinks further layers will be revealed as the Brownlow medallist settles into a mixture of serious hosting and fun roles for the network. “I reckon he’ll enjoy the time and space to have a bit of fun and the analytics of the game,” he says.“He’s the only former coach on our books and he’s just so fresh out of the game so he will have the best insight.“Our game moves so fast and quickly and there’s always new things going on behind the scenes which not even us commentators know about.” Buckley will also headline a new live entertainment show, Best On Ground, airing on Saturday nights after the final match.Launching in round 3, it will be filmed in front of a live studio audience each week and will take a lighthearted look at the major storylines of the day. It will also include comedy sketches featuring some of the biggest names in the game. Brown will join Buckley, host Mark Howard and other Fox personalities, including Nick Riewoldt and Kath Loughnan. “Nick’s been pushing hard for a band – I’m not sure if he’s trying to turn us into the David Letterman show,” Brown says.“I’m getting a bit nervous, so I’ve got a couple of songs up my sleeve just in case.”Listen to Jonathan Brown by searching for Browny’s Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts, the latest episode is here:That is the greatest thing that’s happened on this podcast…The songs – for those playing along – are Billy Joel’s We Didn’t Start The Fire which he and daughter Olivia nailed in 2020 on his breakfast radio show with Chrissie Swan and Sam Pang. “That was a massive challenge – there’s a lot of lyrics,” Brown says.Another new show is Face-To-Face, in which Fox Footy’s team of experts will sit down with the biggest stars and personalities for intimate interviews. The new format opens with Brown talking to great friends, former teammates and now coaches Craig McRae (starting his senior coaching career at Collingwood) and Carlton’s Michael Voss (back in charge after coaching Brisbane and being the senior assistant at Port Adelaide). “They’re both great mates of each other coming through footy together and now they are coaching two of the greatest clubs in Australia,” he says. “It was pretty cool to sit down and have a laugh with them. They eventually let their guard down – it did take me about 10 minutes to oil them up. “You know, a couple of Dorothy Dixers, couple of easy ones and then get them talking about the good old days of the Lions. Some of the shenanigans we got up to off the field.” Face-To-Face is a candid chat – more about people’s journeys and how they got to where they are now – rather than footy analysis and previewing games, mixed in with some laughs. “Craig always used to wear a hat at our social dos or in the locker room which said on it ‘minibus’ …” Brown says. “You know, because he’s only half a coach. And now he’s coaching the biggest team in the league, which is something I find quite ironic.” He’s got high hopes for McRae’s boys this season.“Teams often have a bit of a bump when they have a new coach,” Brown says. “There’s two parts to Collingwood – their starting line-up is very strong, while the rest are all kids. But I think they’ll go all right and better than most expect.” Returning fan favourite, AFL 360, was back last night, with a fresh set and two familiar faces at the desk. Veteran broadcasters Gerard Whateley and Mark Robinson will be joined by a rotating panel of players, including Christian Petracca and Jack Riewoldt, who will return each week for Players Night. Fresh into retirement, Eddie Betts will join Jordan Lewis every Wednesday on AFL 360 for Legends Night, with analysts David King and Leigh Montagna also adding their views on the game. Brown can’t wait for the season to start and he hopes his mates can fire their teams up for a finals berth. And his tip for premier on that one day in September?“I’m going to go out on a limb and say Melbourne still look the best team.”Face-To-Face, Tuesday, 8.30pm; Best On Ground, Saturday after the footy, Fox Footy
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