By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
WHEN Inger and Simon Neylon were house-hunting two and a half years ago, a cute weatherboard in East Geelong caught their eye.
For dyed-in-the-wool Cats fan Simon, it had an added attraction as the former residence of Geelong and Australian Rules football legend Charles Brownlow and wife Matilda.
For US-born Inger, though, it marked a steep footy learning curve.
“It was actually advertised as the Brownlow house, so we knew what we were getting into when we purchased it,” she said.
“It had been passed down as the Brownlow house from owner to owner, so we were excited to be able to move in.
“When we mention to people where we live, 60 or 70 per cent of them recognise it and say, ‘Oh, that’s the Brownlow house’.
“I have been to games but I’m quite new to it, so it’s quite an experience,” Inger confessed.
“But I do understand the significant role Charles Brownlow played in the history of the game.”
Geelong Football Club approached the couple with the idea of placing a plaque at the front of the house and another inside.
They readily agreed.
