THERE is no point in Melbourne's Matthew Bate looking back.

Last season did not turn out how he hoped it would.

No drama from his end. He understands that's what happens in football.

In the end he learned a bit about himself as he turned the disappointment of just seven senior games (including the odd game where he started as a substitute) into good enough form at VFL level to run second in the JJ Liston Trophy and the Casey Scorpions' best and fairest.

By season's end, however, Bate thought he might be better off elsewhere. He was being pragmatic, not dramatic. 

However his new coach Mark Neeld wanted him to stay.

It was time for a chat between coach and player.

Bate made a commitment to give his best in the pre-season. Neeld outlined his plans for the group. No promises came from the coach except that hard work would be rewarded.

"Everyone was on a blank canvas," said Bate.

So Bate jumped back on the Melbourne train. His time on the possible trade platform was short-lived.

Right now, the Demons No. 6 is pretty happy with how things are progressing.

He faces the season with confidence, although he is well aware the real test comes when the games start.

Some things have changed. Bate has been training with the midfield expanding his football repertoire beyond the high half-forward role that has seen him kick 90 goals in 90 games and two top four finishes in the club best and fairest in five years.

The opportunity to be somewhat of a utility running through the midfield and the wing and across half-forward has added some pepper to his pre-season and acted as motivation as well.

"I saw that as a challenge (spending time in the midfield) to take my running to another level, to lean up a couple of kilograms and build a really good aerobic base," said Bate.

Bate said the training has been intense, mentally challenging but rewarding.

"The running that they put us through (pre-Christmas) demanded a high physical standard. It was a lot of gut running-where everybody was feeling the pain-to see how you could cope with that," said Bate.

As one of the more accomplished runners in the group the No.13 draft pick from 2004 has put his best foot forward during the running sessions.

The next challenge is to be part of a group executing the game plan according to the coaching group's wishes.

"It's our challenge to learn as quickly as possible because training is great and sets up habits but doing it in a game situation is a whole new thing," he said.

Bate is ready. Last year was not the wasted year many might think. He thinks he is better off now after his experience.

"You learn to put everything in perspective and I felt like I did mature as a person and a player last year," he said. "I am hoping I can take lessons I learnt from last year into this year and apply them well."