WITH the New Year here, melbournefc.com.au takes a look at each player’s key stats entering 2016, as coach Paul Roos provides a pre-season update on every squad member. Be sure to check back each day on melbournefc.com.au, as we present all 45 players in the first half of January …

BEN NEWTON – No.19

Date of birth: 8/8/1992 (23 years old)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 85kg
AFL debut: 2014, MFC debut: 2015
AFL games: 15 (Port Adelaide 4, Melbourne 11), AFL goals: 11 (Port Adelaide 0, Melbourne 11)
Position: Midfielder
Recruited: Mundijong Centrals (WA)/South Fremantle (WA)/Port Adelaide Drafted: 2010 NAB AFL Draft (No.35); 2014 delisted free agent

“Benny was training the house down. He was running really well, as he identified that area as a weakness and went away and did something about it. But unfortunately through that process, he just aggravated an ankle injury and had to have an operation. But hopefully with that bank of training behind him – when he starts running again, he’ll return really quickly.” – Paul Roos

CLAYTON OLIVER – No.13

Date of birth: 22/7/1997 (18 years old)
Height: 187cm, Weight: 85kg
AFL debut: yet to debut
AFL games: 0, AFL goals: 0
Position: Midfielder
Recruited: Mooroopna (Vic)/Bendigo Pioneers (VIC)/Murray Bushrangers (VIC)
Drafted: 2015 NAB AFL Draft (No.4)

“Young Clayton has come down from the country. He’s got a good size AFL body, which gives him a bit of an advantage over some of the first-year players. He looks like he’s going to be a good runner too – he burst out of the blocks in a 300-metre run. But he’s learning good habits, like all of the young kids.” – Paul Roos

CAMERON PEDERSEN – No.21

Date of birth: 17/3/1987 (28 years old)
Height: 193cm, Weight: 98kg
AFL debut: 2011, MFC debut: 2013
AFL games: 52 (North Melbourne 16, Melbourne 36), AFL goals: 45 (North Melbourne 20, Melbourne 25)
Position: Key forward/key defender/ruckman
Recruited: Mooroolbark (Vic)/Box Hill Hawks (Vic)/North Melbourne
Drafted: 2011 NAB AFL Rookie Draft (No.17 – North Melbourne); 2011 NAB AFL Draft rookie elevation (No.84); 2012 NAB AFL Draft traded by North Melbourne for Jordan Gysberts and No.61 (Taylor Hine)

“Pedo has shown that he can play some good AFL footy. It’s a real key pre-season for him, because spots are open. We want to pick a really good, competitive team for round one. He’s the type of player who needs to do everything right. He trains really hard, but he just needs to continue with consistency of performance. If he plays at a high level, he’s a good player.” – Paul Roos