WITH the New Year here, melbournefc.com.au takes a look at each player’s key stats entering 2016, as coach Paul Roos provides a pre-season update on every squad member. Be sure to check back each day on melbournefc.com.au, as we present all 45 players in the first half of January …

DEAN KENT – No.16

Date of birth: 24/2/1994 (21 years old)
Height: 179cm, Weight: 73kg
AFL debut: 2013
AFL games: 32, AFL goals: 24
Position: Small forward
Recruited: Federals (WA)/Perth (WA)
Drafted: 2012 NAB AFL Draft (No.48)

“Kenty has been very, very good. The game demands so much and he’s not a natural aerobic runner, but he’s worked really hard on that area. Some of his pre-Christmas running sessions have been fantastic. He’s probably really surprised his teammates and coaches. Hopefully he has an injury-free run-up to the season, because I think he’s going to have a good 2016.” – Paul Roos

MAX KING – No.47 (rookie – category A)

Date of birth: 24/9/1995 (20 years old)
Height: 200cm, Weight: 95kg
AFL debut: yet to debut
AFL games: 0, AFL goals: 0
Position: Key forward/ruckman
Recruited: Wagga Tigers (NSW)/Murray Bushrangers (Vic)
Drafted: 2013/14 NAB AFL Rookie Draft (No.19)

“Max is still a young kid who is trying to develop into his body by becoming bigger and stronger – and he’s doing that. His training habits are much better now and his consistency with his training and how he trains is also much better. He’s still got to work on the aerobic area of his game, but he’s working really hard on his game and he’s certainly giving himself a chance.” – Paul Roos

MITCH KING – No.34

Date of birth: 1/1/1997 (19 years old)
Height: 199cm, Weight: 91kg
AFL debut: yet to debut
AFL games: 0, AFL goals: 0
Position: Ruckman
Recruited: Wodonga (Vic)/Murray Bushrangers (Vic)
Drafted: 2015 NAB AFL Draft (No.42)

“Mitch is just a young kid who has come down from the bush. He’s got a skinny 18-year-old’s body and he just needs to build it up. He’s a super young kid and a good listener. You can tell already that he’s a good student of the game and he really wants to get better every session. But he’s just got to get used to what it’s like being an AFL footballer and what he does.” – Paul Roos