JAY Kennedy-Harris says he has no doubt a frustrating 2016 season will only benefit his career.

Kennedy-Harris told melbournefc.com.au that it made him grateful for the opportunity to be on an AFL list and he was determined to make the most of every opportunity with the club he loves.

“In one sense, it was a seriously frustrating year, but in another sense, it might make me twice the player, if I hadn’t gone through it. I wish it’d never happened and I didn’t have to go through it, but it’s been a massive learning experience,” he said, reflecting on the multiple hamstring injuries he endured last year.

“I’ve had to learn how to look after my body and how to make it stronger.

“There will be little things that come out this year that will make me feel better for it. It’s made me really appreciate my job as a footballer and I think that’s come out this pre-season.

“I’m giving it everything I’ve got, because I really do love being around the club and I want to be out there on game day – not just watching on and supporting my mates.”

Kennedy-Harris has been particularly noticeable on the track during Melbourne’s pre-season camp on the Sunshine Coast. He said a specific program had helped his cause.

“It’s been really good. It’s been a lot more personalised,” he said.

“In the past, I’ve had big pre-seasons and then broken down during the season.

“Instead, we’ve taken a different approach and really built up my pre-season, especially my leg strength to give me every opportunity to use my speed and endurance throughout the season.”

Although known as a small forward for Melbourne, Kennedy-Harris is determined to spend time up on the wing this year.

“I’ve always seen myself as having the ability to going up the field and playing on the wing, so it’s certainly what Goody (Simon Goodwin) and Macca (Brendan McCartney) want me to do,” he said.

“Going up the wings and really using my run and ball use, and then playing forward and adding that pressure and finishing off skills, is what I want to do.

“You can’t play the game these days without being versatile and that’s what I’m trying to do best to make sure I can add it to our team.”