MELBOURNE defender Jake Lever returned to training on Friday after a minor setback in his reconstructed left knee saw him leave the track early during Monday's session.

Lever was back running laps at Gosch's Paddock, building into his running stride after complaining of soreness in his knee to medical staff on Monday.

The issue related to irritation from scar tissue around where the ligament in Lever's knee was reconstructed.

Lever missed the Demons' one-hour 'craft session' on Wednesday as the medical staff monitored his training loads carefully.

But in a good sign that his recovery is back on track, the defender ran laps and did light skills – kicking and handballing – with rehab coach Daniel Cross.

The Demons' draftees were thrown into a number of drills in their first proper session at the club, with 'keepings off' style games in a reduced area.

Newly drafted rookie Kade Chandler stood out with his strength over the ball, especially with one piece of play where he got lower than his opponent and kept the ball in his area before scooping the footy up and dishing to a teammate in traffic.

The act won warm praise from Gold Coast recruit Steven May who patted his younger teammate on the back.

Top draftee Tom Sparrow looked powerful and confident as he acted as a conduit between defence and attack in one drill, while James Jordon's skills by foot were impressive.

The draftees were also taken through a contest tutorial, led by coach Simon Goodwin and VFL coach Jade Rawlings, with a focus on technique when breaking tackles.

Sparrow and Next Generation Academy graduate Toby Bedford, who has a reputation as a combative player, excelled in these drills.

At the end of the footy-specific training, most players put their runners on to complete a session around the Tan (Royal Botanic Gardens) running track while the draftees stayed out on the oval for a gruelling running session of their own.

Neville Jetta, Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver, Billy Stretch, James Harmes, Oscar McDonald, Jack Viney, Oskar Baker, Jake Melksham, Marty Hore and Tim Smith are among the players on modified programs.