Brisbane Lions co-captain Nigel Lappin is happy to have his first AFL game in more than a year under his belt, even if the consummate professional was unable to hear the cheers that accompanied each touch in Saturday night's 25-point win over Hawthorn.

The unassuming Lappin accumulated 21 possessions before a knock to the leg cut short his first regular season game since breaking a leg and dislocating an ankle against Sydney in round 20 of 2005.

"The support I've got the last week or so has been great," Lappin said.

"I don't tend to get recognised too much, but I think the captaincy thing has meant a few more people have recognised me. I've had people coming up to me and say ‘Great to have you back’. The support has been fantastic from the public in general.

"It's certainly a different feeling when you are suddenly the oldest guy at the club. Chris Scott, Chris Johnson and myself are the only guys aged over 30. You generally feel the more time you spend around the footy club, the more it feels like your place, to an extent."

After the Lions hung on in a largely unattractive game, Lappin said he and his teammates had to work hard not to give it to powerhouse centre half-forward Jonathan Brown every time they attacked. Brown is one of the competition's most dynamic and dominant players but even he was tested when double-teamed on Saturday, an important lesson for the Lions according to Lappin.

"It’s a hard situation because you've got this massive forward. The two weeks we've had him back, we've probably tried to play through him a bit too much," Lappin elaborated.

"That's why we couldn't break the game open, because we kept playing to him. He's that kind of player – you always want the ball going to him. But on the nights when teams are playing back, we've got to go to the guys running through."

Lappin has a corked thigh but is expected to be available for selection against St Kilda on Thursday night at the Gabba.