Riley Brown


Riley Brown is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who last played for the Gold Coast Titans in the National Rugby League. He primarily played as a Hooker.

Background

Brown was born in Bundaberg, Queensland. He was raised in the town of Singleton, New South Wales where, at 17 years of age, he represented Singleton Greyhounds at first team level.

Playing career

Brown made his NRL debut on 4 April 2004, for the Newcastle Knights against the St George Illawarra Dragons at WIN Stadium. Brown made 7 appearances for Newcastle the following season as the club finished last on the table claiming the wooden spoon.
After playing 40 games for the Knights, Brown was told to look elsewhere after coach Brian Smith's clean-out midway through the 2007 season. Brown was signed by the Sydney Roosters for the 2008 season.
In his first game for the Roosters, Brown infamously injured South Sydney player Craig Wing in the 8th minute of the match with a shoulder charge into Wing's back while Wing was being held up by two other players. Brown was not charged over the incident.
Brown broke his arm in the Roosters' 2008 qualifying final loss to the Brisbane Broncos. He did not return to the NRL until round 21, 2009. Brown made a total of 6 appearances in 2009 as the Sydney Roosters had a horrid season on the field finishing with the wooden spoon.
Brown joined the Gold Coast Titans in 2010. Brown's last game in first grade was a 16-12 loss against Manly in Round 10 2011. At the end of 2011, Brown was released from the club as the Gold Coast finished with the wooden spoon. It was the players third wooden spoon in his career.

Personal life

On 2 June 2000, Brown's mother Judith was murdered in her Anna Bay home. Brown's father, Ross, was convicted of the crime but Brown believes that his father is innocent.