While Fevola's former club, Carlton, seeks answers for a forward line without the Coleman medallist, Brown expects the 29-year-old to let his actions do the talking once the season starts.

After a low-key build-up in the pre-season, Fevola is due to line up against his old side in round two.

Brown said the forward had been ''loathe to go out in public and have a drink'' in the aftermath of his drunken Brownlow Medal-night behaviour, but had slotted into the club neatly ahead of his 12th AFL season.

''He hasn't been able to kick a huge bag [of goals] in the pre-season, but he's looking really good,'' Brown said at Thursday's meeting of all 16 AFL captains in Melbourne. He said the controversy around Fevola's trade and recent publicity surrounding the Lara Bingle photo had not impacted negatively on the Lions.

''There's been no gains for Fev since the Brownlow, all the way through he's been cannon fodder for everyone [and] hasn't had an opportunity to let his actions do the talking on the field,'' he said. ''He gets his opportunity next week [against West Coast] and that will be exciting.''

The Lions traded away forward Daniel Bradshaw in an aggressive strategy that brought ex-Swan Amon Buchanan, ex-Tiger Andrew Raines, ex-Eagle Brent Staker and ex-Saints Matt Maguire and Xavier Clarke to the club.

''They [recruiters] were pretty keen to try and balance up the list from an age point of view and experience point of view,'' Brown said.

He said Fevola's arrival had ''created a lot of interest'' in the code in Brisbane, but he'd kept a low profile.

''The thing we've got to contend with this year is outside expectations … we expect to do well, but how do we as a playing list cope with outside expectation and make sure we don't get ahead of ourselves?''

Carlton skipper Chris Judd said the club was intent on developing new forwards in the post-Fevola era. ''Certainly Fev was a great player for the club and both parties have moved on,'' he said. ''He's excited and looking forward to playing for Brisbane and we're excited and looking forward to our new forward structure in 2010.''