CO-CAPTAIN Jack Trengove says he is gaining belief in his game and as skipper every week.

Trengove, who suffered a foot stress fracture on the eve of Melbourne’s pre-season camp to Darwin last December, said it had been difficult coming back in round two this year after missing a significant chunk of training.

“I’m getting more and more confident each week,” he told melbournefc.com.au.

“Coming off the foot injury I did earlier in the year, I didn’t think much of it, having missed two and a half months of the pre-season. I thought I’d be able to cope fine, but it’s amazing how much it does rock you.

“Missing that big chunk of pre-season made a huge difference, and I feel as though I’m starting to find a great fitness base, which I’ve reached after a number of games.

“With the side getting more and more confident, I think that’s showed in the way I’m playing as well. Hopefully, I can build from there and finish off the season really strongly.”

Meanwhile, Trengove said coach Neil Craig had already made a strong impact on the players since taking over from Mark Neeld in the second half of the season.

“He’s a great mentor to a lot of the players,” he said of Craig.

“The way that he coaches and teaches us to play a certain way has been fantastic so far. He’s had a lot of positive responses, so that’s been great.

“He’s a quirky and different type of character, but he keeps everyone excited and he brings enthusiasm to the group. Hopefully we can keep progressing and taking steps forward as the season ends.”

Trengove said Melbourne faced a tough finish to the season under Craig, given it plays four of its final matches on the road.

“We’ve got to embrace the challenges,” he said.

“There is a lot of travelling in the last seven weeks, but with a young side like us, it’s a great opportunity to test ourselves, having to play in all types of conditions, climates and different grounds.

“We’re going to make the best that we can from it and we’re really looking forward to finishing off the season strongly.”