Since moving to Brisbane at the end of 2012, he has worked alongside one of the greatest centre half-forwards in the game’s history, Jonathan Brown.
Brown quickly took a shine to Close – maybe because he could relate to him being a raw 196cm product from country Victoria, or maybe he knew that his own time was coming to an end and that the teenager represented the future of the Lions’ forward line.
Regardless of the reasons, Brown has spent considerable time with his potential protégé both on and off the training track, to try and impart his knowledge.
It’s a luxury that Close hasn’t taken for granted.
And so it was fitting that Close produced the best game of his seven-game AFL career last Saturday against North Melbourne on a night when the Club celebrated the retirement of his mentor.
The Harrow product collected a career-best 18 disposals against the Roos, laid four tackles, kicked a goal, and took an equal game-high three contested marks.
Importantly, it was his first taste of success at AFL level, having been on the wrong end of the ledger in his first six games.
“It’s great. It took me seven games to get (a win), it took me a while, but it’s great to have that feeling,” Close told LIONS TV after the game.
“It was a close game and Browny’s send off which made it even more special.”
Close said the occasion helped lift the Lions over the line in those tense final minutes.
“We wanted it to be business as usual, but (Brown’s retirement) was always in the back of our minds,” he said.
“We just dug deep, and that’s what got us through the last quarter I suppose. In those heated moments, we thought of Browny.”
“I’ll miss him out there on the field, but at least he’s here on a Monday to help me out. He’s a great mentor for me, and is no doubt the reason why I’m playing footy at senior level today.”
