The Answers - BILLY BROWNLESS

What material possession couldn't you live without?

My car keys. I drive a Ford. I drive a lot. Work, pleasure - just drive everywhere.

What book do you return to most often?

Every AFL and VFL player since 1897. It's like an encyclopaedia. I refer to it for work - probably every second day.

If money were no object, where would you live?

In Geelong still. Just in the new part, where all the groovy people are. A house with a pool and tennis court - that would be nice.

What would your last meal be?

Steak - well done - and chips.

What do you love about Melbourne?

The highway leading to Geelong. I'm down in Melbourne three or four times a week but it's always great to come home.

And hate?

The traffic jams. It's not that bad in Geelong. You can waste a lot of time just stuck in traffic.

What has been the happiest day of your life?

Grand Final day, which is happy and sad because we lost it. And my wedding day. There were four Grand Final days. They all started off happy. The wedding day started off happy too.

What do you regret?

Not winning the Grand Final. That's my one and only regret.

Where do you escape to?

My family and I escape to Lorne. Probably two or three times a year. We've got a holiday house there. It's beautiful.

What are you afraid of?

Spiders - the big, black, hairy ones - and clowns at the circus. When I was a little kid I saw a clown at the circus and it really scared me.

What's your favourite sound?

Well it's not the final siren at the Grand Final because we didn't win. My favourite sound is the roar of the crowd after the national anthem at the Grand Final.

And smell?

Coffee. I drink two or three a day. I start the day with one.

What makes you happy to be alive?

My three kids. Lucy, 7, Ruby, 5, Oscar, 3. They keep me going. It's changed my life, for sure. There's no doubt it makes you see things differently. It's hard work but it works both ways.

When did you last cry?

At the birth of Lucy. Just the first one. It was just unbelievable - how it happened. Really unbelievable.

What was the last thing you bought that you shouldn't have?

A vacuum cleaner because we had in-house, ducted vacuum cleaning. That was three years ago. I was a bit dopey. We got our new house and I was going to surprise my wife with the new vacuum cleaner. Then she told me about the ducted vacuuming.

What are you good at?

Making babies and being able to enjoy myself.

Have you ever had a mentor?

No, not really. I don't think you have to but for some people it's obviously very important.

What's your favourite piece of music?

The Gambler by Kenny Rogers. I know the words.

When did you last get drunk?

On Friday, August 15. I've bought a pub in Castlemaine and I went up to meet the natives. It's the Cumberland Hotel. It's the first pub I've bought. I'm going to try and get up there as much as I can but it's hard during footy season.

Who did you last kiss?

My wife Nicky, every day.

-- Claire Halliday