Collingwood tall utility Leigh Brown says the reigning AFL premiers will not hold any leading players back in the re-jigged NAB Cup.

Brown predicts the Magpies will adapt well to the radical new schedule in place for the opening round, where teams will play two matches of two 20-minute halves against different opposition.

But he admits all teams will need to adapt quickly to the new rules which include a free kick paid against the last player to touch the ball before it goes out of bounds and penalties against players who drag the ball under themselves.

"It will be the same as we attack any game," Brown said on Tuesday ahead of Saturday's games against Carlton and Richmond at Etihad Stadium.

"In my time in footy the pre-season we've done thus far has been as hard as any.

"We're in good stead, we've had a couple of hit-outs internally which have gone well.

"We're looking forward as every other team is to testing your pre-season skills and your training up against some opposition and this week's a perfect opportunity."

Brown said Collingwood would not hold back any of their standout players, making a serious bid to win the leadup competition.

"Absolutely, everyone's up for selection - there are a couple of (fitness) tests, maybe, but that's about it," he said.

"We'll be at full strength or close to. There'll be no holding back, we'll send our best team out and we're looking forward to playing against some good opposition."

Brown said the new format should not present any problems for the Magpies.

"Obviously playing two teams is different but it's more the rule changes which will be the distinct difference," he said.

"Even in the intraclubs the lack of time that you get to recover - the game seems to be a lot quicker.

"The stoppages drop with the boundary rule being thrown out the door ... I think you'll see a lot faster games throughout the NAB Cup.

"It's something we've trained for and been a part of in our intraclubs so it will be interesting to see how it holds up."

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