At some point in Sunday's clash with Cronulla, the Brookvale Oval faithful will take part in one of their favourite new pastimes.

Nathan Brown will line up on the back fence for a kick-off, the ball will come to him and he will run it back as hard as any man ever possibly could.

It sounds basic, and it is, but that's what's great about it. Manly is a classy football team that can score beautiful tries, but there isn't a fan alive who can't see the joy of indulging their inner meathead by hooting and hollering as a big fella carts it up with no regard for human life.

Brown, who has rebuilt his career since joining the Sea Eagles over the summer, makes it sound very straightforward — which it is, but only if you take it literally.

"I just prepare for the worst. If I get smashed, I get smashed, but it can gee the boys up and give them some energy," Brown said.

"I enjoy it. If I get smashed, it doesn't really bother me. I'm just trying to lift the team."

There might only be a few chances left for Brown to unveil a back-fence special at Brookie this season. 

Manly must win if they are to earn a home final next week, and with Tom Trbojevic out, that's far from a guarantee.

But the fact Brown is here at all is a triumph. After leaving Parramatta for a short spell with the Roosters midway through 2023 – where he was sin-binned seconds into his debut, against the Sea Eagles, no less – Brown's career was at a crossroads.

He began a train and trial with Manly with no guarantees and few expectations. He admits there were times he thought he would never make it back to the NRL.

But inspired by the birth of his son, Luca, Brown has formed a crucial part of Manly's top eight charge, with his energy, physicality and underrated passing game coming to the fore — enough for him to ink a new deal with the club until the end of 2026.

"There were, definitely [times I thought it was over]. But the birth of my son Luca at the start of the year gave my career new life. I'd put it down to him," Brown said.

"I had to do it for him and now I'm here for a couple more years, it's exciting.

"My career, from the start, hasn't been easy. This was just another hurdle I had to overcome. You look back at everything you've been through, it was all for a reason.

"I thought I'd give it one more shot – I had to fight for it, but that's all I know.

"I fit in from day one. Everyone made me feel welcome and that plays a big part. Once I earned their respect I had to give it back to them and perform well.

"I started enjoying my footy and that's when you play your best."

If the NRL had a comeback player of the year award, Brown would be a fine winner. 

He is averaging 118 metres per game, his best mark since his halcyon Parramatta days, and is hitting top form at just the right time.

Last week, Brown played his best game of the season as he charged for 188 metres in Manly's mugging of Canterbury, where the 31-year-old and fellow middles Matt Lodge and Taniela Paseka outmuscled the Bulldogs in a fine display of rugby league brutalism.

"We know we have a big, powerful forward pack, so why not use it? It's a strength and we have to play to it," Brown said.

"When we play that power game and work together everything becomes easier."

The team will look to repeat the dose against Cronulla but should it lose, it will be its last home game of the season. 

And while they are outsiders without Trbojevic, the Brookvale factor — and Brown's role in it — can't be underestimated.

"The crowd, the history of the place, the passionate fans — as a player you're so grateful for that," Brown said.

"It's sold out nearly every game this year. It gives us an advantage. Whenever you need some energy on the field, you just have to listen to the crowd."