Luke Brown leading the Hawks out. Rugby League is one of, if not, the most brutal contact sports in the world. To play the game at a high level often sees professional players end careers early due to the rigours of the game. The game has changed a lot over the last 20 years, with the shoulder charge outlawed, punching taken out of the game via huge penalties and other bad behaviour erased to where the game now has a flourishing female component in league tag and where the contact game for women is quickly evolving.
For our very own Luke Brown, playing footy has al- ways been close to his heart. He first pulled on the maroon and white jumper over 30 years ago in the U6s, and he continued through the junior ranks to break into first grade when only an 18 year old in the Group 9 competition. He faced his current coach Nick Hall back then, when Nick was in his prime and Brown was just starting out. Some 19 years later they have joined forces again at Harden and continue to do so in 2023 where Luke’s involvement culminates in his 200th game this weekend against competition front runners Bungendore, a team he helped defeat in the 2009 Grand Final.
Luke would have reached his 200th game earlier if not for a couple of years travel around Europe. He also played for the Red Devils where he was part of premiership sides in both reserves and first grade in 2006. He has always been a first grader, however, trying to make it to four training sessions in the one week made things difficult at Times.
In the mid 2000s, Luke would line up for the Devils on a Saturday, before turning out for the Hawks on Sunday. Something only the young and fit can do and something that he relished with a sound understanding of each game.
However, in the mid 2000s, Luke nearly didn’t get to play footy anymore at all. In a life changing moment, a freak workplace accident occurred. It was not his fault in any way, however, he was electrically shocked for a period of time which resulted in the electricity blasting out of his feet leaving burn marks and he had to be placed in an induced coma after he basically flatlined on several occasions and had to be revived.
Taken a couple of years ago. Halle, Liam, Luke, Phoebe and Josie Brown at McLean Oval.
He spent time in hospital recovering, and, when he woke to the Doctors, they let him know how lucky he had been. They said if Luke had not been so young and more importantly fit, he wouldn’t have had a chance of making it. He pulled through, was released from hospital and has not looked back since. When asked what he remembers he said, “I don’t remember anything really, I was gone. I had to be revived a couple of times and spent 10 days in hospital.”
Luke’s game over the years has transitioned from playing some Fullback in juniors, in the Halves as he got a little older and then in the forward pack in his early 20s. He would have made a great Centre also, but admitted he wouldn’t get his hands on the ball as much in that position, something he relishes.
Luke could have played and probably still could play numbers 1-13 such is his athleticism and his knowledge of the game, although playing Lock and Hooker is where he finds himself the most. He swaps from Lock into the Hooking role to mix it up with the highly fancied Will Hills. Will who is distinguishable in the 9 jumper with his shaved head is a talent to be seen, however, Luke and him play slightly different styles which keeps opposition teams guessing, something Harden hopes to achieve in what will be an out and out bumper day of footy against Bungendore at McLean Oval this Saturday.
The Times went through their archives recently and we have compiled a photo tribute for Luke on our Facebook page. We have been covering the Hawks for nearly 10 years and in that time, have dozens of photos of Luke for the club’s supporters to go down memory lane with.
We sat down with Luke on Tuesday after- noon for a chat about footy and what makes this 37 year old still head up to McLean Oval from his family home in Binalong street, like a moth to the light every footy season. And will he play on in 2024? He still loves the footy but has stated this will be his last year. Wife Kristy has been the mainstay of Luke’s success, supporting him in the early days and also heading off in another direction more recently with their four children for junior league and league tag, meaning that the family doesn’t always get to watch him play as Luke often works on the Saturday mornings and then gets ready for footy.
She said, “At the end of the day if you are physically able to still do something you love, you should. I’ve been with him for 19 years and he was playing before that. We will be there on Saturday with the kids sport at Boorowa this weekend, it should be fine.”
Kristy joked that he would rather eat than train these days. She has enjoyed the ride with Luke over the years but went on to joke, “If he signs again he can sign the divorce papers while he is at it, just joking.”
Luke has thought about retirement a couple of times, however, He said, “You are a long time retired, you have to enjoy it while you can.” These words have rung true for Luke. He still loves the game and enjoys his training sessions.Luke said, “It’s just good fun. I’ve met a lot of blokes playing footy from Canberra and all over. They become your best mates, you train with them two nights a week then play on the weekend.”
Luke came up against current Coach Nick Hall as an 18 year old when taking on the Cherry Pickers. Hall was glowing of his now veteran. He said, “He is a legend in the town and he loves the game to its core. I’m glad he gets to have this day. He can lead with his words and his actions. It’s rare to have guys with vision and he can verbalise that. I often leave him out there five minutes more than I should especially in the crucial parts of the game. He is still in our top couple each week and the top couple in the comp.”
Luke listed a number of former Harden players off the top of his head who had influenced his career and left a lasting impression when playing for the Hawks. They included former Canberra Raider Mark Hardy, as well as stalwarts, Chris Ward, Danny Carter, Peter Pobjie, Brendon Ford and Mick Quinn to name just a few. Luke said, “It was good fun. They were obviously very handy footballers so it was good to learn a lot of stuff off them.” Luke joked that he has lost some of his speed these days, but footballers get smarter as they get older and read the game better, often a couple of plays in ad- vance. He said, “We played in a lot of Grand Finals, I’ve won a couple. The team is going well this year, hopefully we can get there this year. I’ve always liked train- ing but I’m getting a bit over it as you do when you get older.”
Luke highlighted that he wouldn’t be able to play without the assistance of wife Kristy. He now has four children in Halle, Phoebe, Josie and Liam. Liam being a car- bon copy of Luke. All of the girls play league tag and Liam has started league. He said, “Without Kristy it wouldn’t have been possible.”
Luke isn’t sure who is coming on Saturday, but notes his parents and some aunties and uncles will be there.
He has been lucky with injuries and touch wood he will get through this game and the rest of the year. Father Time hasn’t caught up with him just yet.
Committees over the years have always been important to ensuring that clubs are able to continue and operate. Luke said, “Without people doing barbecues and raising money there wouldn’t be a club.” His mum Wendy is often greeting people at the gates and has done so for years.
Former team mate and Hawks President Jason Pollard was glowing of Luke’s contribution over the years. He said, “Luke’s a match winner, he always had that ability to score a try, beat a tackle or bust a tackle and find the try line. He has been out- standing for us. He is great to have around the club and happy to help out in any way. He always said if we couldn’t get a coach he would do it. He is a good leader and sets a good example on the field and goes at it one hundred percent with whatever he does.”
Congratulations to Luke on this mile- stone. Make sure you head to McLean oval on Saturday to watch 3 Hawks games and the Red Devils in action and to cheer one of Harden’s best on. No doubt there will be plenty of past players and team mates cheering for Luke.
