The Demons have landed youngsters Jack Viney and Dom Barry - and 17-year-old Jesse Hogan, who will be eligible to be placed on the list in 2014 - plus players entering their peak years: Chris Dawes and Cameron Pedersen. Experienced duo Shannon Byrnes and David Rodan round out the three tiers Melbourne have looked to bolster.
Neeld said the Demons had also been eager to find players from successful clubs, such as Dawes and Byrnes.
“We’re really pleased with the youngsters we’ve got in. We’ve got Jack Viney, Dom Barry and Jesse Hogan in the shed and we’ve still got pick four,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“So we’re going to be able to bring in a minimum of four very young 18 year olds and Jesse is a 17-year-old.
“We were extremely keen to add some experience to our list from preferably clubs that had played finals from good cultures and strong footy cultures. We believe we’ve managed to do that with the players we’ve got to the club.”
Although 14 players have been removed from Melbourne’s list - for varying reasons - Neeld said it was not an unusual number, given he saw a similar number exit Collingwood, where he was an assistant coach, following its premiership season in 2010.
“We know that somewhere between eight and 14 seem to be the norm and that includes rookie list players,” he said.
“It’s been really interesting and you get to speak to all of the clubs and these are the guys that you’re in serious battles with over the course of the season. But sometimes with the trading, you almost find that you’re working with them on occasions and that’s an interesting experience.
“You go into the period with a bit of a plan of how you want your list to look at the conclusion of the list and we’re really pleased with our month at it.”
Free agents Jared Rivers and Brent Moloney moved on to Geelong Cats and Brisbane Lions respectively, while Stef Martin (Brisbane Lions), Cale Morton (West Coast Eagles) and Jordan Gysberts (North Melbourne) were traded.
Matthew Bate, Ricky Petterd and Liam Jurrah were among the others who departed the club.
Neeld said it was a difficult period for all concerned, but he was adamant change had to be made.
“All of the players that have gone to new clubs - they’ve served Melbourne and they worked hard while they were with Melbourne and we wish them all of the best. It’s about trying to get your list in a position that you want it to be in,” he said.
“The final conversation is tough for everyone involved - there’s no question about that. Footy clubs are particularly good these days. We’ve matured [as an industry] and now have player/coach conversations that happen regularly.
“There were no surprises at the end of the year. There were disappointments - no questions, but no surprises. As long as your communication lines are always open and regular and it comes to the end of the year, then people know. At the end of the day, most people involved in elite sporting competition are also realists.”
Meanwhile, Neeld said he was pleased with the way the players had returned from their post-season break, but it was time to up the ante.
“All of the players are back and these days they travel far and wide and they’re happy to share their experiences with each other and the coaching group and the rest of the club,” he said.
“But it’s time for them to get back to work.”
And that work will go to another level when the Demons head to the Northern Territory in December for an eight-day training camp.
“It’ll be a great experience and at times, it’ll be both mentally and physically challenging,” Neeld said.
“It’s going to be hot, but we’re really looking forward to training in the heat and humidity.”
