A NEW coach and a new teammate could mean a new role for Melbourne ruckman Mark Jamar in 2012.

Melbourne was one of the big winners during this year's Trade Week, securing ruck/forward Mitch Clark from the Brisbane Lions after he was almost snared by Fremantle.

Clark's arrival could prove beneficial to Jamar, who has shouldered the bulk of Melbourne's ruck load for the past few seasons.

"It might mean I can rotate forward a little more often with Mitch, or whether I continue to play the same amount of game time in the ruck," Jamar said.

"He is a great addition to our team and it is going to be really good for us."

A heart-to-heart with new coach Mark Neeld had Jamar, at 28 the third-oldest player on Melbourne's list, also thinking about his value to the team as a leader.

"I'm aiming to become part of the leadership group and I'm focusing on my actions and the way I present myself around the club and the way I train," he said.

"That's been my focus, I've been here 10 years now and this is my 11th pre-season, so that comes with more responsibility."

Neeld has made no guarantees that 2011 captain Brad Green will continue the role next season but Jamar was reluctant to put his hand up as skipper just yet.

"I'd like to establish myself as a leader before I looked at doing something like that," he said. "[But] who knows what can happen one day?"

Neeld has impressed many at Melbourne with his direct and demanding style of coaching. It is an approach that has appeals to Jamar's renowned competitive nature.

"It's been really good. He's straight to the point, you know exactly where you stand and we've all been challenged," he said.

"That's all part of footy. It's good for every single person to be challenged because you don't get comfortable. You're always looking to improve, always looking for that next thing to overcome."

Jamar said teammate Matthew Bate had been one of the most impressive pre-season trainers so far after coming close to leaving the Demons for the Western Bulldogs at Trade Week.

"Matthew Bate's come back really fit, he looks great and he's running really well, training really well. He's training with the midfield group and he's been very impressive," Jamar said.

Jamar also mentioned rookie midfielder Dan Nicholson - who played nine senior games last year - as another Demon who had shone on the track.

Luke Holmesby covers Melbourne news for AFL.com.au and melbournefc.com.au. Follow him on Twitter - @AFL_LHolmesby