THE 2016 season has been a “really well planned” season, according to game analyst and education coordinator Craig Jennings.

Jennings, who has almost completed his first season with the club after 10 years with Essendon and a year with the Western Bulldogs, said Melbourne had carefully monitored its young players to run out the season.

“We’ve rested players all the way through and we’ve put out the youngest team [in the competition] for at least 12 or 13 weeks and averaged about 60 games [per player],” he told Melbourne TV.

“Six or seven of our defenders combined have only played about 120 games, so there are some real challenges in that.

“The coaches in match committee – they’ve known that and they’ve planned for it, and rested players and brought players back in, so that they’re ready to have an impact.”

Jennings highlighted the management of young forward Sam Weideman, who made his AFL debut against the Hawks, as an example of showing some patience with its emerging talent.

“You saw that with Sam Weideman on the weekend. He took a long time to get his first game, but when he came in, he was able to perform,” he said.

“We’ve said all of the way through that we want to have a really strong 22 weeks – not just a good start to the season or middle part.

“But the proof will be in the pudding at the end of the year, so we’ll see how we go.”