COLLINGWOOD defender Harry O'Brien believes the Magpies' decision to throw experienced backman Leigh Brown a third AFL lifeline is one that will pay dividends.

Brown, 26, was recruited by the Pies at pick No.73 in Saturday's NAB AFL Draft, after being discarded by his second club, North Melbourne, at the end of the season.

O'Brien believes the former Kangaroo and Fremantle defender will slot in to the Magpies' back half well, and will lend a supporting hand to the club's crop of young backmen.

"He's fitted in superbly already, and it's like he's been there for more than the short amount of time he has," O'Brien told afl.com.au on Tuesday.

"I'm really looking forward to working with him in the backline. He's already shown us with his training that he's committed to success, which is what we're all committed to.

"Losing Shane Wakelin was a big loss for us, and to be able to replace him with someone who's played 181 games is a big gain for us."

Brown was training with the Magpies in the lead up to Saturday's draft, which gave O'Brien the chance to get to know his new teammate having not travelled to Arizona.

The Brazilian-born 22-year-old missed out on the US trip owing to end-of-season knee surgery that required careful rehabilitation.

"There were about 10 of us that stayed back and we trained very hard while the boys were training hard overseas," he said.

"I stayed back and trained, as I needed to have a clean out on both knees.

"I could walk after about two or three days, so it wasn't too bad. Now, I'm back doing everything; it was just the type of hiking they were doing that would have put too much stress on my knees.

"I could probably have achieved the same if I was here, so I didn't go in the end."

O'Brien, who played every game this year, said he had been suffering from knee soreness for some time before the double hit of surgery.

"I carried them throughout the majority of this season, and a bit of last year," he said.

"It's just wear and tear, and part and parcel of football."

While he was sad to miss the trip to Arizona, he believes the training program he stuck to back in Melbourne will have him in good stead to take part in the NAB Cup.

"I've been twice before, and I was a bit disappointed not to be with the boys," he said.

"But, everything happens for a reason and I certainly believe I'll get the same results from training back here."

O'Brien said he is looking forward to 2009 after a strong season this year where he placed fifth in the club's best and fairest.

"For me, I just want to continue to improve on what I did last year and on what I've done over my four years at the club," he said.

"I also just want to see everyone else improve from the young group that we have. That will be very rewarding."