GENERAL manager of football operations Josh Mahoney says Jack Viney’s new contract is “recognition” for his rapid improvement.

Viney signed on with Melbourne until the end of 2020 this week, following an impressive start to the season.

While the midfielder has a strong family connection to the club, Mahoney said Viney’s new contract was based upon his form and scope for further development.

“When we went to him [to negotiate a new contract], it was more recognition of the improvement he’s shown and the development that he’s got, we were comfortable to give him a long-term deal,” Mahoney told SEN Afternoons on Thursday.

“There was obviously a family connection there and he’s bled red and blue for the whole time, so it’s got a different element to it, but we certainly didn’t want to take advantage of that.

“We think the deal he’s got is good recognition for the player he’s become.”

Viney currently sits equal-second in the AFL Coaches Association player of the year award after several standout performances in the first seven rounds.

The hard-nosed midfielder is ranked first in the competition for centre clearances, averaging 4.6 per game and equal-third for overall clearances, with 53 in total to date.

Viney is also ranked equal-third in total contested possessions (105) and equal-fourth in total handballs (114).

However, it’s Viney’s ability to win more uncontested possession that’s also catching the eye.

Through 2015, the midfielder averaged 10 uncontested possessions per game. This year, he’s averaged 14 across his seven appearances.

Viney has also increased his inside 50s from two per game in 2015 to five per outing this season, while his four goals to date in 2016 already surpass last year’s total of three (from 16 games).

Mahoney said Viney’s decision to work with elite performance manager Dave Misson and strength and conditioning manager Rob Jackson to improve his running and leg strength contributed significantly to his improvement.

“He’s determined young guy and he identified through discussing with the coaches that for him to take his game to the next level, he couldn’t just be a contested ball player,” Mahoney said.

“He needed to add other elements to his game and [said] ‘I want to design a program so that I can spread better, run better and kick better and get more outside ball’.

“He stuck to that program over pre-season and it’s showing the benefits right now.”

Viney was named in Melbourne’s leadership group for the first time in 2016, his fourth season of senior football.

Mahoney said the 22-year-old’s maturity and professionalism played an important role in both his own improvement and the development of his younger teammates.

“What he does really well and what he’s learned is he drags people along with him,” Mahoney said.

“Right now at the footy club he’s sitting down with Christian Petracca and going through his tape and … he’s [also] working with Clayton Oliver and Angus Brayshaw on how they can improve and how he coped with his first couple of years.

“That’s the sign of a great leader and that’s where he’s developed really strongly and he’s in our leadership group now.

“It’s not all about him and his own improvement; he knows that for him to improve, it’s going to be dependent on how well the team improves as well.

“He wants to be involved in that successful team and he’s dragging guys with him.”