Let’s start with some (untrained) financial advice: when investing in stocks, if you’re impressed by a new, young company, it’s best to get in early on the ground floor and watch your stocks — hopefully — skyrocket down the track.
A similar tactic exists in racing: punters “blackbook” horses they like so that in future races, they know to load up on them in an attempt to win big.
At the upcoming Under-15 Schoolboy Football State Championships, AFL recruiters will be sure to blackbook one name for future investment: Lincoln Brand.
At 188cm tall at 15 years of age, Brand seems destined to become what is known as the “modern-day midfielder”.
Tall, powerful, explosive, unstoppable.
Playing for Shepp-Notre Bears Maroon in the under-16 Goulburn Murray Junior League, Brand has been a dominant force for his side, kicking 24 goals from nine games as a midfielder — featuring in the best eight times.
His consistent performances, combined with his versatility to play practically every position on the ground, have seen Brand selected to represent Victoria at the upcoming state championships on the Gold Coast from July 27 to August 3.
Brand was one of only four regional footballers selected in the Victorian side, with the young gun not taking his selection in the representative team lightly.
“I feel very honoured,” Brand said.
“(I’m excited to) play against better opposition and showcase what I have got.”
The young gun is familiar with donning the famous Big V, representing Vic Country first when he was 12.
Although Brand enjoyed the experience, it was during the years impacted by COVID-19, and thus, Vic Country could only play Vic Metro.
However, this time, Brand and his Victorian compatriots will take on the best young footballers in the country, with the Shepparton native excited about demonstrating what makes him special as a player.
“(I’m) dangerous and explosive,” he said.
“(The coaches) liked my explosiveness out of the contest and my aerial — like my marking.
“There is definitely more to come in my game as well.”
In terms of inspiration, Brand need not look any further than the towering twins from Shepparton, Jack and Matt Whitlock.
The Whitlock boys were at a similar height to Brand at the same age and, now in their draft year, Jack and Matt have been floated as potential first-round selections in the 2024 AFL Draft later this year.
One person Brand said had been guiding him through what it takes to become a professional footballer was former Shepparton United player Oscar Ryan.
Adelaide selected Ryan with pick 27 in the 2023 AFL Draft.
Throughout last season, Ryan assisted Brand with his gym work and preparation as a footballer.
Despite now being in different states, Brand said he remained in close contact with his mentor Ryan.
A passionate Carlton supporter, Brand has a clear role model for his football in Blues star captain Patrick Cripps.
As a big-bodied midfielder, Brand’s positioning in games this season has even mirrored Cripps’ role for Carlton.
“(I play) more midfield and then I have been switching up forward for a bit of a chop out,” he said.
At the championships, Brand’s coaches have warned him that they may need him to play a variety of roles.
“(I will be) playing more everywhere,” he said.
“I think more off centre half-back and centre half-forward and then a little bit in the midfield as well.”
The Victorian side will play five matches across seven days, with games against South Australia, ACT and Queensland before two guaranteed finals.
In the past, young gun footballers such as Brand would have just focused on playing football; however, the Shepp-Notre star is part of a modern wave of junior footballers who understand that what they do off the field strongly impacts what they can do on it.
“I’ve been going to the gym a heap and doing a heap of running over the pre-season,” he said.
“Definitely trying not to overdo my body as I had been (previously).
“Just trying to keep my body right and make sure I recover as best as possible.”
It’s a modern-day approach for a modern-day midfielder.
Note Brand’s name down in your blackbook, because he is one to watch over the coming years.