JACK Viney may have played his finest game so far for Melbourne against Richmond on ANZAC Day Eve at the MCG.

Certainly, statistically, it was a career-best performance.

The bull-at-a-gate midfielder amassed 37 disposals, including a whopping 23 contested possessions. He also had 10 clearances and five inside 50s.

It was just his 54^th game and he only turned 22 years old on April 13.  

Entering round five, Viney had 22 AFLCA votes, which included 10 the previous weekend against Collingwood.

He was equal with another hard-at-the-ball type, North Melbourne’s Jack Ziebell.

Only Sydney star Luke Parker (29 votes), Gold Coast goalkicker Tom Lynch (28) and Hawthorn great Sam Mitchell (23) were ahead of Viney.

That could change after this round concludes.

Viney may go up another notch – just as he appeared to on Sunday night.

It is not unrealistic to suggest that Viney is in All-Australian-like form at the moment, although we’re just five rounds into the season.

Those individual awards are something he’ll certainly take, but it’s not what drives the young man.

Success at Melbourne is at his forefront of mind.

Asked how he assessed his form after Melbourne’s 33-point win over Richmond and Viney was genuinely unsure.

He wasn’t trying to play it down.  

He thought about it, but quite simply, he understood he was playing at a high level. The question is: how much further can he go? It remains unknown, but it’s an exciting proposition for player and club; a frightening one for opposition teams.  

“I’m not too sure to be honest,” Viney told Melbourne TV.

“I’m just really trying to focus on going into each game with the same intensity and mindset, and that goes with the team as well.

“As for the other stuff (the AFLCA votes) … I haven’t been paying close attention, but it’s certainly a nice feeling when you’re playing well and the team’s playing well – you’re pretty happy with that.”

With the game still in the balance at three quarter-time, Viney was among the Melbourne players to lift again.

Although Richmond trailed at each change, it was still within reach.

The margin was 16 points at the final change, before Melbourne turned it on with six goals to three in the final stanza.

Viney was crucial in that period.

And it was the type of effort from Viney, which coach Paul Roos couldn’t speak highly enough of post-match. He went on to say that Viney “typifies where we’re trying to take this team”.

“Jack’s a really good student of the game. He loves footy and really works hard at his craft and so far he’s had an exceptional season,” Roos said.

“His whole game was fantastic, but his last quarter – he just willed us, along with a lot of other guys, over the line.”

Like his father did in 233 matches from 1987-99, Viney oozes toughness, a focused desire to win and a love of the red and blue.

And just as Todd Viney was named deputy vice-captain of Melbourne in 1988 – before he became captain in the latter part of his career – so too was Jack named as part of the club’s leadership at 21 years old this year.

The parallels – without trying to compare too much – are similar to say the least.

Despite missing six matches last year and playing as a substitute upon return (are you missing that part of the game?), Viney still stormed home to finished second in Melbourne’s best and fairest.

He was pipped by the narrowest of margins by Bernie Vince, who won his second AFL club champion award and his first with Melbourne.

The fact that Viney was able to come back and get within reach of the Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy, after fracturing his fibula, was a testament to his character and determination.

Melbourne is going places – make no mistake.

And it is the likes of Jack Viney who are making it happen.

He will be there when it does.