HARD-AT-IT Melbourne midfielder Brent Moloney says he is focusing all of his energies towards the start of the club's pre-season training, which is likely to start just four days after this year's grand final.

Moloney is sidelined for the rest of the season after injuring his shoulder against Collingwood in round 11, but he is set to start his rehabilitation program next week.

"It's the third week [since I injured the shoulder] and I start rehab next week, so I'm just looking forward to the pre-season," Moloney told melbournefc.com.au.

"I think we're going to be starting training on October 1 and that's all I can look forward to is 2009. It'll be my first full pre-season.

Moloney, who recently led the club's first year players to a boxing camp in Warrnambool, said he hadn't changed style, despite being recently elevated into the club's leadership group.

"I haven't changed anything I do – it's just a label that you're in the leadership group and I haven't changed a thing. I keep helping the young players out and whoever wants a chat and play the same role as I was earlier in the season," Moloney said.

"I think [co-captains] Cameron Bruce and James McDonald are doing a good job and 'Greeny' has stepped up and the way he's playing at the moment – he's playing super footy. Brad Miller has also come of age.  

"Me and Jared Rivers are obviously out at the moment, but Jared, with the backline group, has really helped out 'Frawls' [James Frawley], Col Garland and Matty Warnock."