2003. Touted as the next Wayne Carey early in his career, Brown was an unspectacular but consistent contributor during his first few seasons and, at 195 cm and 105 kg, was an imposing target across half-forward. In Round 6 of 2001, Brown kicked seven goals and amassed nine marks and 19 disposals in his first dominant performance in front of goals. For the season, he averaged six marks, 14 disposals and 1.5 goals per game. His season tally of 157 marks was a team-high, and his total of 38 goals was third-best of Brisbane players. Brown was well renowned for his bravery, often putting himself in reckless situations that put the mission of the team before his own physical well-being. An example of this was when he took the 2002 Mark of the Year by running with the flight of the ball and launching into the oncoming Hawthorn player Jade Rawlings. In an interview with Mike Sheehan for Open Mike, Brown acknowledged he was running towards the pack blindly (i.e. with his eyes only on the ball, not the players converging on the pack) and committed fully to the attempt. Such efforts earned him numerous titles for courage during his career, including three Robert Rose Awards for being voted the most courageous player of the league in 2007, 2008 and 2011. Such acts of courage caused recurring injuries, especially during the past few years of his career, including four facial injuries between 2011 and 2014. Plagued by injury and regular meetings with the AFL Tribunal during the next three seasons, Brown's development was hampered until 2004, when he had the best season of his career to that point, averaging an impressive eight marks, 16 disposals, and 2.3 goals per game. Despite missing eight games through injury and suspension, Brown kicked a career-high 39 goals and again led the Lions in marks, with 140. His progress was punctuated in the Qualifying Final against St Kilda when he achieved a best-afield six-goal performance. The season, however, ended on a sour note for Brown, as he was reported for striking Port Adelaide's Josh Carr during the Lions 40-point Grand Final loss. The report saw Brown suspended for the first five games of the 2005 season. Reaching peak form: 2005–2006 In 2005, Brown was promoted to the Lions' leadership group. He made his return from suspension in Round 6 of 2005 against Essendon and