EMERGING Melbourne midfielder Simon Buckley says teammate Brent Moloney has been somewhat of a mentor for him since he walked into the club.

Although Buckley feels several Melbourne players had helped him along the journey, he made special mention of the input Moloney had given him since he joined the Demons via the 2005 NAB AFL Draft.

"Probably the one stand-out when I came to the club was 'Beamer', who's only 24, but he took me under his wing and now we're nearly best mates and we get along really well," Buckley said of Moloney.

"He's always giving me advice and now that he's moved into the leadership group – it really means a lot when he [speaks].

"I really listen in, so he's been a great help."

Buckley, who has played eight matches this season and has impressed since returning to the side in round 14, said Melbourne coach Dean Bailey had put great faith in him since the transition of the coaching staff took place last year.

"It's always difficult because we've got a whole new coaching staff and a young group, so it's going to take a couple of years before we all jell together and it starts to work," Buckley said.

"But 'Bails' has been great and I get along with him really well.

"He really does help me out a lot actually and he calls me in every week or two. I sit down in his office and we go through the vision and he tells me what I'm doing well and what I need to improve on.

"The good thing is he tells you straight out and he doesn't beat around the bush, which I think is a really good thing."