INJURED midfielder Jack Trengove says he has seen genuine improvement in the squad over the pre-season and is optimistic Melbourne will make inroads in 2015.
Although Trengove remains sidelined indefinitely with a foot injury, he said he was looking forward to “a really positive year”.
“It’s always a hard one [to know how the team will go], but it’s an exciting time of the year, always. We’re just looking for more improvement on last year and I think the players have come a long way,” he said.
“Even going out and watching training now – compared to a year ago, it’s a totally different team and I’m really excited. I think we’re going to take it [up] to a lot of big clubs this year and hopefully we can get our nose over the line instead of the opposite that happened last year.
“Round one is excited and the anticipation is right up there. All of the boys have been through a really hard pre-season and this is where they get to show their stuff on the weekend.
“I’ll be watching from the sidelines, but I’ll be trying to help out and support them as much as possible and I’d love to be out there, but I’ll have to wait for my opportunity to come later on.”
Trengove said he and No.2 draft pick Christian Petracca (knee) are working closely on opposition analysis, during their time on the sidelines.
“[We’re] helping out the coaches, scouting the opposition and watching them close to see what their strengths and weaknesses are,” he said.
“It gives us a bit of involvement and also helps us develop as players. [We also] learn what opposition teams are doing and watch individual players. It benefits us and that’s what we’re doing week to week.”
In regards to his foot injury, Trengove said he was progressing steadily.
“I’m going really well. I caught up with the surgeon last Tuesday,” he said.
“He had a pretty positive outlook on it all, but I’ve still got a long way to go.
“I’m showing the right signs at this stage and hopefully it keeps progressing that way. I’ve got a lot of walking and leg strengthening ahead, but it’s all good at this stage.”
