HERITIER Lumumba says he feels extremely positive about where Melbourne is heading, as he prepares to play his seventh match for his new club.

The 2010 Collingwood premiership player said this Saturday’s clash against Hawthorn at the MCG was another great opportunity for the Demons to test their game plan.

“I see this week as another opportunity to play against a team that’s had the experience and success that we desire to have,” he told melbournefc.com.au.

“There is no better indicator of where our strengths and weaknesses stack up in relation to the rest of the competition than to test that against the pinnacle of the competition.

“It presents a huge opportunity for us to learn and develop and to continue on the path that we have been on since this team was formed.”

Lumumba said he was very realistic about where Melbourne was at, even when he joined the club last October.

“I was very aware of the time it takes to develop the synergies when new players come into the club. But I know for a fact that the program and system, and the coaches we have in place will fast track that,” he said.

“We’re all learning about each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

“I have full confidence that we’ll continue to see our game plan and style develop throughout the course of the season and I think we’ll be playing our best football towards the end of the season.”