REVITALISED Demon and former Bomber Jake Melksham says the game means more to him now than it ever has.

After being signed by Melbourne at the end of 2015, Melksham was forced to sit out last season as part of the fallout of Essendon's supplements scandal.

Now, just two weeks away from his first pre-season match, the 25-year-old told Melbourne radio station RSN927 that he'd learnt a lot in the past 18 months.

"I took a lot for granted when I was younger," Melksham said.

"When you're young, you're free and don't really give a stuff.

"Now I'm a little bit older, something I love has been taken away from me for a year.

"When I play that first home and away game for the club, that'll be a pretty special moment for me.

"It does mean more to me now. When something is taken away from you that you love, you don't realise how much you miss it until it's gone."

Melksham played 114 games in six years for the Bombers before signing his four-year deal with Melbourne.

He said new coach Simon Goodwin would likely play him in a mix of roles, including half-back, wing, midfield and half-forward.