MELBOURNE’S Jack Viney was all smiles after his side’s 109-point win over Carlton at the MCG on Sunday afternoon – and for good reason.

The co-captain was finally able to take to the park with the team, returning from a lengthy stint on the sidelines with his troublesome foot.

Playing out the game’s entirety, Viney said it was a fantastic feeling.

“It was very good to be back,” he told Melbourne Media.

“The boys have got their mojo, so I just had to slot back in and play my role.”

In what was his first game for the Demons since round 21, last season, Viney finished with 12 disposals, three marks and six tackles.

The 24-year-old said while he was pleased with his impact, he is looking forward to building back up to AFL level.

“I think I was solid, without doing anything special,” Viney said.

“I think it’ll take me a couple of weeks just to find my feet again, but in terms of my role and executing it, I think I did it to the level the team required.

“I’m very happy finishing the game.”

Coach Simon Goodwin was equally thrilled to have one of his leaders’ back.

When asked what he thought of Viney’s run-with role on the Blues’ Patrick Cripps, Goodwin said Viney’s initiative shone through.

“It certainly wasn’t a plan – I think Jack might’ve just taken that on himself,” Goodwin said.

“Just to have him back out there as a captain of our footy club, I thought him and Nathan [Jones] were terrific around the ball today.

“Jack’s working his way back into AFL footy.”

Melbourne recorded its greatest winning margin in 25 years, jumping to third on the AFL ladder and increasing its percentage from 113.2 per cent to 127 per cent.

Viney said despite a close contest in the first quarter – along with Carlton’s five scoring shots to three in the latter part of the third term – his side’s persistence paid off.

“It was a bit of a slog early on, but we kept working on it and we kept hunting them,” he said.

“Towards the end of the third quarter, I thought we were tested a little bit.

“The boys dug in again and broke it open again, so all in all, it was a really pleasing result.”

Melbourne will now have a seven-day break, travelling to Alice Springs to take on the Adelaide Crows next Sunday.

The red and blue will be looking for its fifth consecutive win, with Viney looking forward to going again.

“The foot feels good – 100 per cent fine,” he said.

“It was probably more the lungs that got me more towards the end there.

“All in all, it was a very good day – a good win and the body’s pulled up fine, and I’m looking forward to backing it up and going up to Alice.”