Brendan Fevola's arrival in Brisbane amid much fanfare has seen optimism abound amongst Lions fans ahead of the premiership season.
But Brown warns the trade week flurry of activity that also netted Brent Staker, Matt Maguire, Andrew Raines, Xavier Clarke and Amon Buchanan will not translate into wins if his teammates start to believe their own publicity.
"The thing we've got to contend with this year is the outside expectation," Brown said.
"We expect to do well, but how do we as a playing group cope with those outside expectations and make sure we don't get ahead of ourselves?
"There has been a lot of positive talk, especially with all the new recruits coming, but we can't fall for the trap that that's automatically going to push us into being a top-four side."
Brown has been delighted with Fevola's contribution to his new club both on and off the field despite the media storm that has followed the full-forward since his arrival in Brisbane.
He admitted he hadn't seen the same level of scrutiny since Jason Akermanis talked his way out of town, but said the club knew what it was getting when it chased the reigning Coleman Medallist's signature.
"That's all part of it and that doesn't affect the locker room and that's what we're worried about," Brown said.
"What we're worried about is how Fev fits in and how all the other players fit in with the locker room culture. Do they add to that? Fev's been tremendous with that sort of stuff. His teammates have really embraced him and he's embraced the club - he loves it."
Brown, who lives in the same neighborhood as Fevola, maintains he hasn't had to lay down the law to his new teammate despite a series of well-documented indiscretions.
"Fev's a grown man and he understands the reasons [why] he's ended up in Brisbane," he said.
