Ball and the Magpies meet St Kilda in a NAB Cup clash at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.
Brown, who will coach the senior side in Friday night's game, isn't so sure the game will be the fiery encounter many are predicting.
“I’m sure they respect him and they’ve got a game to win, as we do,” Brown said from Gosch’s Paddock following the Pies’ Thursday morning training run.
“So I don’t know if there’ll be too much of that going on. I think it’s probably the furthest thing from Luke’s mind.”
Brown believes the former Saints skipper - acquired with pick No.30 in last year’s NAB AFL Draft - is more intent on winning a kick for his new club.
“There are nerves for every player that changes clubs,” he said.
“Bally has had a fantastic pre-season, we’ve been so impressed with his professionalism, his diligence, he’s been fantastic for the young blokes … and for his football attributes as well.
“So he’s well and truly earned his stripes so far … but as normal you’ve got to continue to earn them.”
Collingwood has selected a near full-strength side - which includes former Sydney Swans ruckman Darren Jolly - to kick off its pre-season campaign.
Only a handful of regular senior players couldn’t be considered.
Brown said ruckman Josh Fraser was not quite ready as he progresses from a knee injury, while forward John Anthony is also recovering from a shoulder complaint. Sean Rusling and Brad Dick are also on the injury list.
Like last year the Pies will go all out in the NAB Cup in the hope of hitting the home and away season at full steam.
Collingwood officials voiced hopes of a premiership in 2009 but the club fell short at the second-last hurdle. Twelve months on, Brown said the aim hadn’t changed.
“I guess it’d change if you lose a lot of top-end players or a lot of experienced players but that goal doesn’t change,” he said.
“Every single club out there doesn’t do four or five or six months of pre-season not to come out and win a premiership; I mean everyone does it.
“Secretly, I think everyone is obviously out there to win a premiership and I don’t think we’re any different this year to last year.”
Luke Ball is a $366,500 midfielder in this year’s Toyota AFL Dream Team.
