JEREMY Howe says the young Melbourne players are pushing their more experienced teammates as the club starts building its pre-season.

Howe said it was one of the noticeable differences early in Melbourne’s campaign for 2015.

“I think the boys have come back and their running times are a lot better,” he told Dee TV.

“The younger guys are probably pushing the more senior guys so far, which is a good thing and what we want.

“In the gym, there are a lot of leg weights going on, so expect the boys to be a lot stronger over the ball this year.”

Howe said training had been a “solid workout” for the players so far.

“Monday, Wednesday and Friday are the main days, so we’re out on the track training and we’re doing running and conditioning,” he said.

“We’re probably [out on the track] for two hours and then we go inside and have a bit of lunch together and then there is a solid weights session in the afternoon and then we catch up with the coaches.

“Tuesday and Thursday are our lighter days where we’re off legs with boxing and swimming.”

Howe said former Giant and first-year Demon Sam Frost had made an impressive start at the club.

“[He’s going] very well. He had a pretty good off-season as well and he’s in good nick. He’s a big boy, so he’ll be important down in defence, so hopefully he can throw a few of the big forwards around and help us smaller backs out,” he said.

Howe has also made a strong start this pre-season, having finished third in last Friday’s three-km time-trail at Princes Park.

“I felt like I ran pretty well. We could have gone out … quicker to get the times down a little bit, but I was pretty happy with the times at this stage,” he said.

“I think I can better it as we go on.”