Something of a double-act during the late 1980s and 1990s with fellow champion Eddie Schwerdt, South's other greatest player of the modern age unquestionably is Jeff Brown. Although originally from CDFA club Elizabeth, he became one of South's most longserving players, coaches and true clubmen. His credentials and record speak for themselves.

Brown arrived at South Gawler after serviceable tenures with Central Districts under 17s and 19s in 1985 with Graham Schultz. He immediately was instrumental in the watershed Double Premiership of the GDFL in 1986, before an outstanding career of 213 A Grade games (an automatic regular in GDFL and BLGFA representative sides) until 1998.

While still playing himself, Jeff reluctantly first coached the B Grade in 1989. He then Vice Captained the 1990, 1992 and 1993 A Grade flags under Malcolm McGrath before managing the A Grade himself between 1994 and 1998. During this first stint as the head coach he led South to our last Grand Final appearance in 1996 as a playing Captain-Coach.

Brownie took out the A Grade best and fairest in 1988 and 1996, and was runner-up to his good mate Eddie Schwerdt in 1989. His outstanding 1996 season saw him nearly also take out the BLGFA Linke and Mail Medals. He also collected the 1989 Most Constructive and 1991 Best Team Man A Grade trophies along the way.

After retiring from playing in 1998, Brownie began to realise his coaching aspirations would take him further and beyond the club. So in 1999 and 2000 he decided to accept the challenge of going outside to coach - to Freeling, albeit with limited success, before returning home to South again for rebuilding in one last season at the helm in 2001. Then in 2002, he went back to Central Districts to be a runner and selector, eventually becoming coach of the Bulldogs' Under 19s since 2003.

His remarkable junior coaching record down at Elizabeth Oval includes a premiership in his first season and making the finals every season since. Brownie has been instrumental in the recent dominance of the SANFL by the Bulldogs, and directly responsible for the emergence of South sons in this big time - the likes of Sam Butler, Yves Sibenaler, Kane Officer, Alby Obst and Brodie Hudson.

Jeff might have been an imported player, but he soon was and always will be a dedicated clubman whose involvement with the club spanned much further than his herculean efforts on the field. He was always heavily involved with social and centenary committess, organised the preservation of the club's historic photographs in the Blue Room, enjoyed acting as MC at many functions, and was an active administrator of the cricket club. Brownie received the Club Person of the Year award in 1990 and was honoured with the Club Player of the Year not once but twice, in 1990 and then 1995.

While today he is back at the Bulldogs pursuing a professional coaching career at SANFL level (and may well be South's first league coach), Brownie still refers to South as his true home, having contributed so much to our history and tradition, and gets back to the club whenever he can during a busy footy season at Centrals. South are very proud of this adopted son and will always regard him as one of our own. One of the greatest.