MIDFIELDER Angus Brayshaw says Melbourne is starting to display a more balanced game style heading into round one.

After working to build a solid defensive foundation over the past two years, Melbourne showed a clear focus on offense in its three NAB Challenge wins in 2016.

Brayshaw, who has been on the sidelines for a majority of those three wins after hurting his knee in the opening seconds of Melbourne’s first game, said the team’s progress was exciting to watch.

“I think the Simon Goodwin sort of coaching style is coming out a bit more and we’re still holding that Roos [style] and the lessons he’s taught us in defence and we’re marrying it up and becoming really balanced,” he told melbournefc.com.au.

“I think everyone can tell we’re still making some mistakes.

“I think we’ll continue to make mistakes but the endeavour from the boys and the game we’re trying to play has held us in good stead and we’ve been able to correct those mistakes and ultimately win games.”

Brayshaw said his rehabilitation from the medial strain in his left knee had “come along in leaps and bounds” in recent weeks.

The young midfielder is aiming to play for Casey this week and put himself in the frame for round one selection.

“I’ll play Casey this weekend and tick that game off and the main thing for me I think will just be playing games,” Brayshaw said.

“So regardless of where it is, I’ll just be happy to be back out there – whether it’s for Casey or for the Demons.”

Having previously seen teammate and close friend Christian Petracca tear his anterior cruciate ligament, Brayshaw said he’d initially feared a similar injury.

While his injury proved to be far less serious, the midfielder said it was still disappointing to have an interrupted start to the season.

“It was a really long pre-season and I’d come back and trained really well,” Brayshaw said.

“From where I was last year I’d taken some big steps forward and was super excited – it was my first NAB Challenge game.

“So I was super excited to be there and even more disappointed when I found out I’d done some damage and was going to miss a few games.”

Looking towards the season, Brayshaw said he hoped to quickly find form and play every game of the home and away season.

“First things first, [my plan] is to get back from this and make sure it isn’t a lingering issue – knees are nasty things – so if I can just knock this on the head early, which I’ve done, I’ll play hopefully a full season,” he said.

“I missed one game in round 22 last season against Fremantle – I was rested – so it’d be nice if I didn’t get rested this year.

“So I [would like to] play consistently at a high level that I think I can play at and then finals hopefully, would be incredible.”

Having played in all seven of Melbourne’s wins last year, the 20-year-old said he expected more winning performances to come with the team’s ongoing development.

“[Finals are] a bit of a future outlook and hopefully the boys can continue in the vein of form we’re in at the moment and we can maybe get there,” Brayshaw said.

“But it’s a long way ahead and I think we’re focused on the process and the game style we’re trying to develop at the moment.

“It’ll be a week at a time sort of thing, [we’ll] try and develop every week and hopefully that will take us to good places.”