Back on 14 July 2011, lions.com.au previewed the Brisbane Lions’ Round 17 clash against Geelong with a specific focus on Club Captain Jonathan Brown’s impending milestone.

Brown was just two goals shy of becoming just the 49th player in VFL/AFL to kick 500 career goals - having already surpassed Daniel Bradshaw’s previous record of 496 goals one week earlier to become the greatest goal-kicker in Brisbane Lions history.

But the achievement unfortunately never eventuated.

As history would have it, Brown was held goalless in the first half against eventual Premiers the Cats before attempting a typically courageous mark going back with the flight of the ball which would cost him the rest of the season.

The milestone remained painfully out of reach for another season.

Over the off-season, Melbourne-based Lions fans celebrated the scheduling of the Club’s season opener at the MCG, as it might give them a chance to witness Brown’s return - and potentially see him reach the 500-goal mark.

But a third facial fracture suffered during training put the skipper’s on-field return on ice for few more weeks.

Now Brown will get another crack at reaching the elusive target this Saturday when he lines up for the Lions against Fremantle at Paterson’s Stadium.

If he is unable to kick the two goals required to notch up the milestone this weekend against the Dockers, you could safely predict that his 500th goal would then likely be brought up back home at the Gabba in either Round 4 (against Gold Coast) or Round 5 (coincidentally against Geelong).

That is, of course, so long as there are no more unfortunate incidents.

As it stands, Brown's current tally of 498 goals ranks him fourth overall on the Club's all-time goal-kicking list (incorporating Fitzroy and the Bears) behind Alastair Lynch (633 goals), Jack Moriarty (626 goals) and Bernie Quinlan (576 goals).

Speaking at the Gabba on Monday, Brown certainly felt a strong sense of déjà vu when questioned about the impending milestone.

“I remember speaking about the same thing back in Round 17 last year. I only had two goals to go until 500 back then as well,” he said.

“(The milestone) isn’t something I’ve looked at a hell of a lot, but it would be nice to get that achievement and would be something to be proud of post-career.”

The 30 year-old forward did, however, express his disappointment that team-mate Simon Black probably won’t be playing when he eventually reaches 500, considering the decorated midfielder is expected to miss the next 3-4 weeks with a broken hand.

“My enthusiasm has been tempered somewhat because Blacky won’t be out there, and he’s put most of those 500 goals on my chest.”

“Knowing he’s not going to be there is a super blow for the Club. Obviously I love playing with him.”

Coincidentally, Brown’s opposing Captain this week - Matthew Pavlich - is just eight goals shy of the 500-goal mark, and is in line to become the first Docker to reach the major milestone.