COLLINGWOOD defender Nathan Brown has revealed he contemplated accepting a lucrative contract offer from Gold Coast at the end of 2011.
Brown had just finished a frustrating year where he had torn the ACL in his left knee in the pre-season and cracked his right patella in Arizona in June, before the Suns came knocking.
"I'm not going to lie, I did consider it and it did cross my mind," Brown told AFL.com.au.
Collingwood played Geelong in the Grand Final that year and Brown, who played a pivotal role on Nick Riewoldt in the 2010 decider and replay, could do nothing but watch the Cats raise the premiership cup for the third time in five years.
He was frustrated and could not help thinking about what might have been. But he felt he and his teammates could atone for the disappointment and heartache they experienced against the Cats
"I made a decision at the end of that year that I was fully committed to Collingwood and the guys that we had and I knew we were going to push really hard in the next couple of years for a premiership," Brown said.
Brown turned down Gold Coast's offer and signed a new two-year contract with the Magpies, now set to expire at the end of this year.
Despite putting contract talks on hold, the former first-round draft pick insists he wants to stay, preferring to focus on the team's upcoming finals campaign.
"I'm a guy that likes to put that towards the end of the year," Brown said.
"I really want this side (to succeed), and I know we can push really hard deep in to September.
"Contract talks are second for me at the moment. We've got to find consistency in our side and that's 100 per cent what I'm focused on.
"Towards the end of the year, hopefully we'll get something done."
Brown has now played 85 games in the black and white and become a permanent fixture in the Magpies' back six.
Brown has taken it upon himself to help develop a cohesive defensive unit. He has made a point of developing an affinity with young defenders Marley Williams and Ben Sinclair to better understand their game styles.
Those around the club say the 24-year-old is using his voice more and becoming a commanding player as a result.
"I've always been one of those players who likes to take in situations and really sort of think about it," Brown said.
"Before I blurt something out I always try to think about it before I say it.
"That's something that I've developed now and worked hard on this year – once I've thought about it and had a really good take on a situation, I'm coming out and saying it."
Ben Guthrie covers Collingwood news for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter @AFL_BenGuthrie
