AFL legend Jonathan Brown announces shock brain tumour diagnosis after undergoing surgery

AFL legend Jonathan Brown is recovering after requiring surgery to remove a brain tumour.

The three-time Brisbane Lions premiership player went under the knife on Wednesday before sharing the news alongside wife Kylie on Friday night.

Watch the video above: Channel 7 AFL team pays tribute to Jonathan Brown

The 44-year-old, a prominent commentator since retiring in 2014 following a concussion, said the tumour was uncovered following a routine scan, and he will now prioritise his recovery.

“After undergoing a routine scan, I was recently made aware of a shadow on my brain that turned out to be a low-grade brain tumour,” Brown wrote.

“I underwent surgery Wednesday with a positive outcome.

“I understand a surgery of this nature creates interest and once I have recuperated, I will share my experience but for now I need to take some time to rest and recover.”

High-profile names from around the AFL immediately rallied around Brown.

“Rest up big fella, thinking of you guys,” wrote Sam Docherty, who overcame testicular cancer twice while playing for Carlton.

Collingwood great Anthony Rocca, who entered remission last year following a battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, said: “Best wishes for a speedy recovery!!”

Brown’s TV colleagues paid tribute live on air.

“To Jono, his beautiful wife Kylie, their kids and (father and former Fitzroy player) Brian, who will be watching at home, and the brothers, we wish them well from everyone here at the Seven Network,” James Brayshaw said.

Long-time sparring partner Garry Lyon said Brown was in good spirits on Friday night.

“We’re throwing our thoughts out to one of our great mates, Jonathan Brown, who sits on this panel and has done for a long, long time,” Lyon said.

“He’s at home watching this making a nuisance of himself with the beautiful Kylie, but he’s had a pretty challenging week or so.

“I spoke to him about two hours ago, he was in the car and full of beans — bouncing around, talking to Kylie and annoying her.

“On behalf of all of us and the broader footy community there’s been few more popular players than Jonathan Brown and few tougher.

“We send you our love, big fella. Take it easy, rest up, recuperate and we look forward to seeing your big ugly mug in the not too distant future.”

Brown presented the Lions with the premiership cup after last year’s grand final and was involved in the flag unfurling in Opening Round two weeks ago.

The 256-gamer was one of the youngest members of the club’s 2001-03 premiership hat-trick before going on to lead Brisbane’s goalkicking five times and captain the side for four seasons.

He retired in 2014 following the last of multiple sickening concussions and facial injuries.

Brown had 15 plates and 64 screws in his face and suffered “about 20” concussions by the end of his career, while he also dealt with headaches and balance issues.

7NEWS.com.au is not suggesting a link between the concussions and his brain tumour.

But the head knocks defined the latter stages of his stellar career as he bravely fought on for a Brisbane side now struggling to contend for finals.

His last concussion came from a knee to the head in an accidental collision with GWS player Tom Bugg.

Despite friends and premiership coach Leigh Matthews urging him to retire, the decision only came when Brown asked his then four-year-old daughter Olivia about whether he should keep playing.

“She looked at me in the eyes and said ‘no, you can’t play footy any more. You can only play footy if the Lions come down and play on the grass with us at our place’,” Brown wrote in his autobiography.

“That’s when it finally became real that I was going to retire. I finally acknowledged that I was still forgetting stuff, still had headaches and still had problems with my balance.”

Brisbane doctor Paul McConnell had previously feared for Brown’s life when he suffered a friendly-fire concussion in 2011.

“I honestly thought he was going to die. Thankfully an ambulance arrived very quickly. He didn’t move at all until we started moving away from the Gabba,” McConnell said in the book.

“I would say he was totally and utterly unconscious for at least five minutes, maybe six or seven. It was one of the worst injuries I have seen in my life.

“In all honesty I wasn’t confident that he was going to survive until he started moving his limbs as we were driving up the ramp into the Princess Alexandra Hospital.”