Sydney Swans Hall of Famer Mark Browning was awarded the Queensland Government Service to Sport award late last year at the annual Queensland Sport Awards and Hall of Fame Presentation.
Browning, the current AFL Queensland State Talent Manager, has played a pivotal role in blazing a path for players and knows the background story of every Queensland player who made it, and countless more who didn’t.
Since taking charge of the Queensland talent pathway in 1996, there have been one hundred and thirty-one and a total of 197 Queenslanders to play in the AFL. There are currently more than 50 Queenslanders playing in the AFLW.
Over the past 26 years, he has demonstrated a remarkable ability to innovate and challenge the status quo to identify and develop first choice talent in playing and coaching.
It’s through his leadership and innovative approach in the talent space that the AFL Club Academies and the Allies programs are in place today. For the very first time in Under 18 National Championship history, this year the Allies shocked the country by winning the championship.
Mark’s passion and advocacy for the growth and development of the game in Queensland has been critical in the game’s successful expansion.
He said, “When you see the other people who were recognised for their contributions, I’m in elite company, so it’s great recognition for me, but also the programs we’ve run for a long time.
“I’m thankful to my family, my mum and dad, and the team I work with at AFL Queensland. I’m grateful to have been trusted to lead the talent pathways in Queensland.”
Mark Browning
1975-1987
251 games
138 goals
All-Australian 1983
Captain 1984-1985
Best & Fairest 1983
Browning was inducted into the Swans Hall of Fame in 2009.
Recruited to the Lake Oval under the father-son rule, in 1975 Mark Browning started his career with the Swans playing on a wing, a half-forward flank or in the centre. Later he was moved to a regular half-back flank position, where he became a brilliant running defender. Until his retirement at the end of 1987, he played 251 games and kicked 138 goals for the Club, and was one of the original Sydney Swans, playing in the first home game at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Having been appointed vice-captain in 1980, he captained the Club from midway through the 1984 season to the end of 1985. Best and Fairest in 1983, he was named All-Australian in the same year. Mark is truly representative of both incarnations of our Club, as he has the distinction of being the only player to have played 100 games for South Melbourne and 100 games for the Sydney Swans.
