MELBOURNE player/coach performance manager Brendan McCartney provides an update on all 45 players in the lead-up to the 2017 season. Be sure to check back each day for most of January, as we present this year’s squad …

Alex Neal-Bullen

Alex came back from the post-season break fitter and stronger – and more dynamic. He’s into this third season now, so he’s more confident in himself. He showed great signs in the VFL last year, where he dominated games and had some mixed success at AFL level. He’s built a little model of how he wants to play, with the help of the coaching group. He’s working towards having the body and the tank to be able to deliver that.

Clayton Oliver

Clayton’s a high talent and as the summer’s unfolded, you notice him more and more in drills at training. His ground play and ability to extract the ball are quite extraordinary for a young player. At the moment, we’re just adding different levels of fitness to him and some education around what to do when he’s not near the ball. By gee, when he’s near the ball – look out! He wins it more often than not.

Cameron Pedersen

Cam had shoulder surgery at the end of the last season and was just starting to get into full training pre-Christmas. Cam will be Cam – he brings experience and a strong body in a young forward group. I’m sure he’ll play a valuable role through 2017.