Former Melbourne midfielder Kynan Brown has signed with VFL outfit Sandringham for 2026 following his Demons delisting.
Brown spent two seasons in the red and blue after being recruited as a father-son selection in 2023, following in his father, Nathan’s, footsteps in playing for the club.
The hard-running wingman managed two AFL games in his maiden season at Melbourne, making his debut against North Melbourne in Round 15 of that year.
2025 saw Brown spend the entirety of his second campaign in the VFL, representing Casey on 20 occasions, including two finals.
The 20-year-old will remain in the VFL for at least next year, joining the Zebras after exiting the AFL, with his dad a member of Sandringham’s coaching group under the newly-appointed Daniel Ward.
“I’m excited to be part of a new chapter at the Club and keen to see what we can achieve,” Brown said in a club statement.
Brown was one of 10 Demons players to leave the club this off-season, with Jack Billings (delisted), Tom Fullarton (delisted), Marty Hore (delisted), Judd McVee (Fremantle Dockers), Clayton Oliver (GWS Giants), Christian Petracca (Gold Coast Suns), Oliver Sestan (delisted), Charlie Spargo (North Melbourne Kangaroos), Will Verrall (delisted) and Taj Woewodin (delisted) also departing.
Melbourne Demons player Kynan Brown during the 2024 pre-season (image via Melbourne FC)
The Zebras have had a busy off-season of recruitment ahead of their first season since ending their partnership with St Kilda as the AFL club’s affiliate side.
Sandringham have managed to sign Andreas Stefanakis (Box Hill), Adrian Cole (Dandenong Stingrays), Brodie Findlay (North Adelaide), Jhett Haeata (Richmond VFL), Ben Hopkins (North Melbourne VFL), Mitchell Kirkwod-Scott (Casey), Darcy Chrigwin (University Blues) and Nathan Philactides (Box Hill) ahead of the new year.
The Zebras managed just three wins in 2025, finishing 20th on the VFL ladder, coming ahead of just the Northern Bullants.