Brown happy at full-back

Wests Tigers full-back Mitch Brown is relishing the challenge from fit-again team mates Wade McKinnon and Tim Moltzen for the number one jersey.

Brown, 23, was an integral part of the Tigers’ march to the finals last year, after deputising for McKinnon who fell victim to a mid-season hamstring problem.

Tim Moltzen meanwhile, missed the majority of the season with a serious knee injury sustained in round 5 against North Queensland.

After being handed the number one jersey by coach Tim Sheens, Brown excelled himself with some standout performances.

“I achieved more in 2010 than I did in the last few years. I never played semi-finals footy before and that was an unbelievable experience,’’ Brown said.

“The most fans I had ever run out in front of before the preliminary final against St George-Illawarra were around 20,000 so to run out onto ANZ Stadium in front of 72,000 fans was just the best feeling. It is one of the reasons why you play footy.”

Brown says he is ready to take on the challenge by McKinnon and Moltzen.

“It was good to play full-back during the finals and actually be working hard practising in that position at training,’’ Brown said.

“Playing in the one position enables you do the little things needed for each game and really practice them. When you are chopping and changing positions, you are practising slightly different skills at each session.

“By playing full-back, it enabled me to work hard on my catching and support play and being able to perfect it.”