On the same day an induction camp began for AFL draftees, Brisbane Lions captain Jonathan Brown admitted Brendan Fevola provided a timely warning to youngsters of the potential pitfalls that await them.

After conceding that the Lions had no idea if or when the controversial forward would return to the field, Brown believed the 126 draftees who entered the AFL players' association induction camp on Monday could learn much from Fevola's situation.

"It is (timely). I don't think it is as bad as it used to be (but) certainly the temptations are there," Brown said on Monday.

"The AFL has a pretty good system at the moment with constant education for not only the first year players but also the seniors.

"Unfortunately there is the odd player that slips through the cracks.

"It only takes one slip-up to tarnish your reputation and that of the AFL.

"That's why it (education) is so important."

Fevola could be released this week from a rehabilitation clinic to help address his fragile state of mind after taking indefinite leave following his New Year's Day arrest.

But Brown said the club had not factored Fevola into their 2011 plans as yet.

"If he is healthy he is a great player, a matchwinner but in the time being it is such a major issue we haven't really given much thought to the playing side of things," he said.

"The club just wants to give Fev time to get his personal issues sorted out - he can sort his football out on a later date.

"At the moment there is no time frame, it is up to how Fev is going.

"Everyone at the club has given him his space to go away and get sorted out and hopefully he will come back with some good news.

"We all wish him the best - he knows the club's thoughts are with him."

Fevola was the integral part of a recruitment policy that exploded in coach Michael Voss' face last season.

This time last year the Lions were talking finals.

Following their disastrous 3-15 run that relegated them to 13th place in 2010, all Brown wanted from his club this season was "decent footy".

"It was a big learning year, 2010," Brown said.

"We had a lot of external expectations coming into last year but I don't think we have those now - maybe the pressure is off a little bit there.

"Hopefully we can get back and play some decent footy.

"I always have high expectations for the group (but) I expect that a long way down the track we are playing finals football.

"We are not going to sit here and make predictions.

"We have to rebuild ourselves - we took a big step backwards last year."

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