Brown missed all of the JLT Community series following knee surgery in January, but was one of 15 North-listed players to feature at Trevor Barker Beach Oval in front of the watchful eyes of Kangaroos coach Brad Scott.

The Tasmanian moved well and was particularly lively early as Werribee stormed to a 78-point win over the Zebras, who didn't have a single St Kilda-listed player after the Saints chose to give their entire list the weekend off before round one.

Speaking after the match, Brown said he was ready if, as expected, he is called on for North's season-opener against West Coast next Sunday at Etihad Stadium. "I pulled up really well," Brown said.

"It's down to the match committee to decide now. I think I've put my best foot forward today and hopefully that's enough.

"I think I put my name forward as well as I could have done. I've just tried to do everything I can in my rehab to make sure that when the time does come my fitness is right and I'm ready to go."

Brown - who was North's leading goalkicker last year with 41 majors - said he didn't expect to have any significant lingering knee issues this year, a season in which he is again likely to shoulder a significant burden following the departure of veteran forward Drew Petrie.

"The knee feels awesome, the body feels good. I feel pretty much as good as I could be after playing four quarters," Brown said.

"My knee's really feeling as good as it's felt for my whole career at the moment. Hopefully that will serve me really well for the whole year."

Brown was one of several experienced Roos to mount a case for selection, with Scott Thompson, Aaron Mullett, Sam Wright and Lachie Hansen all lining up for Werribee.

Brown said it would give the match committee plenty to think about. "A lot of guys putting their hands up, and there's going to be a lot of spots on the line," he said.

Fellow forward Majak Daw also played on Saturday and is expected to be ready to face the Eagles despite nursing swelling after being poked in eye.