Brisbane Lions star Jonathan Brown has his sights on a big 2007 AFL season after wiping away any doubts he had over returning from injury.

Although he could not inspire his side to victory in the NAB Cup grand final against Carlton on Saturday night, the powerhouse forward got through his first game since halfway through last year and was satisfied with a match return of 11 marks and two goals.

"It was good to be back," Brown said after his Lions lost 2.12.7 (97) to 0.10.12 (72) at Telstra Dome.

"I didn't set the world on fire but I expected I was going to be a bit rusty and I couldn't quite stick them in the first half and it started coming a bit in the second half.

"I was pretty happy with the hit-out though.

"By the end of the game I felt like I was starting to get my rhythm and now I've just got to do a little bit of work in the next few days and then taper off and freshen up for round one."

After being plagued by hip and back problems since round 10 last year, Brown was "blowing hard" at times through the grand final decider, but felt good physically afterwards.

"The main thing was for the body to get through the night and not to walk off feeling like I'm an old man," said Brown, 25.

"I walked off feeling pretty good, so that's hopeful."

Brown, who is this week likely to be named either skipper or co-captain of the Lions, was pleased to wipe away any lingering doubts he had about returning after two injury-affected seasons.

"Just because of the time frame of being out for bordering on nearly 10 months out before round one," he said.

"It's a long time to be out of football and you do have a little bit of doubt, firstly on how your body's going to hold up and how you're playing the game.

"I'm certainly a lot more confident now after that game.

"It was nothing special, but I got to have a crack at about 40-50 contests and really, that's my game. The more contests I can get the better you're going to get."

Brown plans to train normally until Thursday and then restrict himself to light duties to freshen up before the round one clash against Hawthorn at the Gabba on March 31.

Despite the defeat, coach Leigh Matthews was pleased with the Lions' pre-season after watching his young side three times beat more fancied opponents.

Younger players Michael Rischitelli, Cheynee Stiller, Scott Harding and Matthew Moody are some of the Lions to have stepped up behind their more illustrious teammates.

"We know what Brown and (Simon) Black and (Luke) Power have done, but it's three quarters of the team that have either just started playing or are doing their apprenticeship are hopefully going to get better," he said.

Matthews said forward Daniel Bradshaw needed another week of training before he was right to resume after a hamstring injury, while ruck Jamie Charman (Achilles) should also play the Hawks.

But Matthews is unsure exactly when veteran midfielder Nigel Lappin will return to full training.

Lappin is being prevented from contact work because he cannot fully extend his arm due to nerve damage in his elbow.

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