Lilydale, Old Scotch playing third Keian Brown Memorial Match in NTFA

He and long-time mate Keian Brown had devised a plan ahead of the 2019 season to help the Dees taste the ultimate success.

But then Brown passed away from cancer in February 2019.

"Keian was going to come out and I was going to coach," Deane said.

"I took on the coaching role for three years and he and I pretty much swore we'd get a flag in three years and that would tie it up. I was lucky enough to get one last year so it was a pretty proud moment. It knocked me around a bit emotionally and whatnot for him."

Deane, who was playing-coach last year, explained the pair had wanted to draw some old faces back to the club from their junior days.

"The goal was winning one as a coach with him playing alongside me because he was going to assist but then obviously he went downhill pretty quickly in the last few months which was bloody sad," he said.

Deane reflected this week as Lilydale and Old Scotch prepare for the third Keian Brown Memorial Match on Saturday at Lilydale Recreation Ground.

The day is a fundraiser for Carrie's Beanies for Brain Cancer. There'll be donation tins on the gate and around the ground and $5 from every Lilydale beanie sold goes to the charity.

Brown, who won premierships with both clubs, tragically died when he was 26.

His mum Mel Roughley is grateful the clubs have started the tradition.

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"I don't think a mother could be any more proud," she said.

"This doesn't happen for everyone. For it to actually happen and for two teams that are pretty good rivals to keep it happening, it's a very proud moment."

Roughley said she wanted to support cancer research into numerous areas.

"Keian didn't actually die of brain cancer," she said.

"It was melanoma cancer that had travelled to his brain. So I eventually want to be supporting more cancer research.

"So that it's supporting all cancers, not necessarily melanoma or brain or blood. We also did the Greatest Shave. I think we raised about $18,000 for that. As long as it's going to some form of cancer research, I'm happy. That's all that matters."

Roughley will present a medal and trophy.

"I find it hard watching football now that he's not on the field," she said.

"To come down and watch this game, it's pretty much the only one I do because he's not out there but they're doing it for him."

The trophy combines the seniors and reserves teams' scores with the highest aggregate taking home the cup.

Roughley awards the memorial medal to a player from the four sides which she feels resembles Brown's spirit on the field.

Deane said the club had also introduced a new initiative in Brown's honour.

"We've got a memorial bar getting built around the side of the clubrooms at the moment to really help drive the memory of Keian," he said. "It's going to have the Keian Brown memorial sign up above it as well."

Deane said the bar would operate this weekend but the sign would be added at a later date.

"We've got a license for it. So pretty much we're running it as a memorial bar, obviously based off Keian for all of our home games," he said.

Old Scotch senior playing assistant-coach John McKenzie said Brown was also a valued member of the Thistles' community.

Brown played in Old Scotch's 2016 senior flag and 2017 reserves premiership.

"I didn't know him personally but I understand and appreciate how important events like this are and community footy allows his memory to continue," McKenzie said.

"Credit to Lilydale and Zach and the team to continue doing this because this sort of stuff is really important. It's raising awareness for an important cause and Old Scotch is more than happy to be involved."

The game itself is set to be a ripper.

Both sides had wins last weekend.

"The rivalry's been massive for a very long time," Deane said.

"Scotch were the cream of the crop, they sat on top of the table in every asset and no one could really get near them. The playing field has leveled out the last five years which is good."

McKenzie spoke up the rivalry. "It's fiercely competitive with two good-quality teams going at it," he said. "There's a lot of pride involved in a game like this and for both home-and-away games this year."

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