But Brown is set to play the rest of the pre season competition after enjoying a longer than usual lay-off over Christmas.
“I’ve probably gone a little bit slower this year, I had a hip operation in the off season but it’s been more just a concerted approach, just to have a slower build up,” Brown said.
“I feel good for it, that’s for sure, and an extra few weeks off for my honeymoon was probably why I’m a little bit behind as well, eating pizza and having a few beers overseas.”
Brown has slipped seamlessly into the sole captaincy role after two seasons of sharing the job with Luke Power and Simon Black.
He now has four vice captains at his side: Power, Black, Jed Adcock and Daniel Merrett.
“It feels pretty much business as usual,” Brown said.
“I don’t think a lot has changed, just trying to keep the group tight.
“The players enthusiasm towards training and all those sorts of things have made it a pretty easy job to be honest, so just looking forward to really getting into the season to show how tight knitted a group we are.”
Brown has earmarked Jared Brennan and Michael Rischitelli as ones to watch in season 2009.
Brown also expects rising stars Lachie Henderson and Mitch Clark to become valuable contributors to the seniors.
The Lions pre season has had a different feel about it this year, with rookie coach Michael Voss drilling plenty of skill work into the team.
“When you’re learning a new system, there is an enthusiasm to it, even for the older guys that have been in it for eight, nine, 10 years like myself, so that’s probably why it feels a little bit different,” Brown said.
Brown has also welcomed the rule paying a free kick against defenders who rush behinds.
“I don’t think it looked great in the grand final last year when Hawthorn, and credit to them cause they were the rules, but Hawthorn rushed all those behinds.”
“I think you work very hard to get the ball down to your forward line.”
