TALENTED young Demon Jack Grimes says he is relishing the opportunity to play a mentoring role to his first and second-year teammates.

Although he's just 20, has played 12 matches and is in his third pre-season, Grimes has been touted as a future leader at Melbourne and has made some early inroads.

"I remember when I first came to the club I looked up to the first and second-year guys," he said.

"I feel like the young guys … are looking to us for advice, because we've just been through what they're going through. It is good to have some guys come up to you and ask you for advice.

"I couldn't believe it when the new boys came in a few weeks ago - there are now blokes who are two years under me."

Melbourne continued its strong focus on youth by welcoming six new players, including top-two picks Tom Scully and Jack Trengove, at last month's NAB AFL Draft.

However, across last year's national, pre-season and rookie drafts, the Demons added nine - replenishing a fifth of the list - and gave a second opportunity to rookie Daniel Hughes.

"It's good because you don't feel like the new kid on the block all of the time now and now you have guys looking up to you a little bit, so that's good to have that bit of responsibility," Grimes said.

Grimes, who was selected at No.14 in the 2007 draft, has spent most of his fledgling career in defence but is looking forward to pushing into the Dees' midfield in 2010.

"It's a new challenge. It's good to be able to learn different areas of the game, so you can become a versatile player," he said.

"It's been exciting actually being in the midfield, because it is a different aspect of the game compared to the backline.

"Guys like Cameron Bruce and Brad Green have really helped me out. Nathan Jones has helped me as well in the midfield and has given me feedback."

After suffering groin and back injuries in his first two seasons in the competition, Grimes said his pre-season was progressing well despite a lower abdominal strain early on.

"Last year, I found it took so much out of you physically and when I got home I was sleeping so much," he said.

"Now I'm getting through [pre-season] a lot easier this year. My body is getting used to it better than in the past.

"There has been a lot more injury-prevention exercises. I've done core strengthening exercises and my recovery is really important now."