Brown's 2011 season finished early, courtesy of a fractured cheekbone against Geelong in round 17.
After having his injuries attended to, he was able to join the Lions' pre-season campaign on day one - and he'll enter the Lions' NAB Cup campaign in the pink of condition.
"I've been doing pre-season for a fair while, which is unusual for me," Brown said on 3AW's Sports Tonight on Wednesday.
"I've been up and going since September. I feel now I'm ready to go and start playing games.
Brown in recent years has played only one pre-season match. This year he's looking forward to playing a handful of games together before the opening of the regular season.
"I haven't had much continuity in the last couple of years, with all the games I've missed," he said.
"I'm keen to get that match fitness and match awareness and build relationships with the midfielders."
Former Fremantle coach Mark Harvey has joined the Lions as an assistant coach and is looking after the forwards. Brown said Harvey had a big job because of the inexperience in attack.
"It's a challenge," he said. "It (the forward line) is the most inexperienced part of the ground apart from myself. We've got a lot of younger fellows in there.
"I'm looking forward to working closely with Harvs and making sure the forward line runs smoothly. And hopefully as time goes on I'll spend more time with him on my individual game."
The Lions begin their NAB Cup campaign against Gold Coast and Melbourne at Metricon Stadium on Saturday, February 25.
