From SCG to back fence at Brookie

On Friday night at 4 Pines Park, against the same opponent, he will play his 200th NRL game.

An elite cricketer in his teens who played with the likes of Aussie quicks Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, it was fitting that Brown's first taste of first grade was on the hallowed turf of the SCG.

“I remember running out, obviously I watched and played a lot of cricket back in the day,” recalls Brown.

“It was a special day for the Tigers and Dragons, the national anthem was being played, I remember just looking around, it was a surreal moment.”

Alongside Brown that day, also making his NRL debut, was current Manly teammate, Luke Brooks. 

A couple of years younger than Brown, the 18-year-old halfback had a dream debut, scoring a try and setting up a couple of others in the Tigers’ 34-18 win.

It was obviously a special moment and to debut with Brooksy, was great.

Nathan Brown

“I was on the bench for most of the game, but I remember watching Brooksy carving up, it was great.”

Brooks spent a further ten seasons at the Tigers before making the move to Manly, where he played 65 straight games before a serious knee injury in Round 17 this year.

For Brown, the road after that SCG debut took a few turns.

A Rabbitoh, then an Eel, a brief stint as a Rooster, and now in his third and final year at the Sea Eagles.

Arriving at the Eels in 2017, Brown spent six seasons at the club and played 109 games, becoming one of the most feared and respected forwards in the competition.

That form saw him earn the State of Origin call-up he had dreamed about, playing off the bench for NSW in the 2020 series.

His time at Parramatta also included a Grand Final, where the Eels lost to the Panthers in 2022.

After a short stint with the Sydney Roosters, Brown arrived at Manly at the same time as Brooks, on a train-and-trial deal in 2024.

They both played their first game for Manly in the first round of that season against the Rabbitohs in Las Vegas.

Displaying the same qualities that had defined his career - energy, aggression, toughness, and an almost complete disregard for the size of the opponent standing in front of him, Brown’s contract was extended.

He didn't just earn a contract. He earned a following. Enter ‘Back Fence Brown’.

Standing 185cm, and weighing 104kgs, Brown is one the smallest middles in the game. But what he may lack in size, he more than makes up for in courage.

While Brown has been taking the tough carries out of yardage for years, it’s been at Manly where that duty has been most admired.

“I’ve been doing it my whole career, but I think here at Manly the fans have hyped it up a bit more and the nickname has kind of stuck,” he said.

Most of us would shy away from running into brick walls, but believe it or not, this fella enjoys it.

You think of the worst and you expect the worst, but whatever happens happens, I love the adrenaline.

Nathan Brown

“I love the feeling of lifting my players and I love the feeling of the crowd getting behind you. I secretly love it, so it's good.”

Now, with 199 NRL games behind him, Brown is preparing for the 200th.

And fittingly, it comes against the Dragons.

Watching Brownies final home game will be a host of Manly legends whose nicknames roll off the tongue, the likes of ‘spud’, ‘cement’, ‘beaver’, ‘cliffy’ and ‘tooves’ to name but a few. 

Most of the players who defeated the Dragons in the 1996 Grand Final will be in attendance on Friday night, 30 years on from claiming the Club’s sixth premiership.

Importantly, so will Brown’s family.

“I don't really like too much attention on myself, but it is a privilege to bring up the 200 at Manly,” he said.

“It’s going to be a special day for my family as well. They’ll obviously be here supporting me, and I know they’re very proud.”

“For me I’ll try and treat it like any other game.”

That being the case, the brick wall had better be ready.

Another victory over the Dragons will keep Manly’s finals’ hopes alive.