With six rounds left in the home and away season the Pies sit two points clear at the top of the ladder, however Brown said they could ill-afford to look to far ahead, with the side already focused on the clash with in-form Richmond next week.
> Watch Brent Macaffer speak to CTV in the rooms after the win“It’s six weeks before the end of the year and we need to knuckle down - there is still some improvement in areas we are working on week-to-week,” Brown told afl.com.au.
“We have a pretty solid draw heading home - we will look no further than Richmond next week and look forward to playing them at the MCG next Saturday afternoon.”
The 28-year-old was thrilled with the four-quarter performance of his teammates, with the Pies’ relentless forward pressure and domination of the tackle count (76-52) evident from the opening bounce as they ended the Saints seven-match unbeaten run.
“The most pleasing thing was the things we set out before the game - our structures and our team plans - came to the fore today and set us up and held us in really good stead. To do that for four quarters was really pleasing,” Brown said.
Brown, who stepped up in the absence of the suspended Travis Cloke to kick three goals, said the side would take great confidence from the victory over a genuine premiership contender which had won its past four encounters against the Pies.
> Watch Mick Malthouse address the media after the game“People say they have the wood over us, but we couldn’t have won that game in the NAB Cup and we didn’t kick that straight in round three,” he said.
“Obviously they are a quality side so there are a lot of areas we have to try and beat them at and work on their strengths and weaknesses and make it into our advantage - I think we really did that today.”
Brown says he has enjoyed his time in the black and white since changing his stripes and joining Collingwood from North Melbourne at the end of the 2008 season and is relishing playing a variety of roles.
“I’m helping [Darren] Jolly out in the ruck every now and then - not that he needs that much help [because] he is having a good season as well,” he said.
“[But] it’s always good to kick a couple when you’re playing forward - I’m really enjoying my footy.”
