MELBOURNE co-captain Jack Grimes believes he couldn't have timed his arrival at the club better and is certain the worst times will soon be behind the group.

His optimistic appraisal comes at the end of a year of turmoil and change that saw the club win just four games and finish 16th on the ladder.

And it is tempered by Grimes' admission that the high hopes he took into this season weren't realised.

However, Grimes says the environment is completely different one year after Mark Neeld was appointed coach, and it feels like the club is planning and building to be a successful club rather than "hoping to get better".

Grimes has played in just 13 wins and two ties in his 53-game career that started in 2008 but he says the benefits of the pain will become evident at some stage.

"I feel like my timing at the club is perfect," Grimes told AFL.com.au.

"I feel like I have experienced as hard as it can be and I know that we are going to have that feeling like we are never going back there ... this club is never going back to those days.

"As hard as it was, I'm really glad I've been through that ... you learn so much about yourself and the club."

Ten things we learnt about Melbourne

Grimes said he had never trained as hard as he did during 2012, with sessions as tough as games. The demanding sessions hardened the body and the mind and tested the resolve of some players.

Those demands are not expected to decline but Grimes says at least everyone will know what they are in for when they enter this year's pre-season.

"(There will be) a much clearer picture in the whole group's head as to what it is going to take to be a top four team," he said.

"It is going to be a shock to a lot of people I think. It's not for everyone and lot of guys won't be there for the whole ride - a lot of the boys will - but it is fair to say there is still a fair bit that has to change, but we are so confident it will."

Grimes admitted he wasn't so confident when he had to provide feedback to senior players about what was expected from them soon after taking over as captain. 

"I was pretty nervous about how they would respond because I was, to be honest, a little bit uneasy about the position I was in and how it sat with everyone," Grimes said.

He said the senior players soon put him at ease and from that point on he gained confidence in what he was doing.

He uses on-baller Colin Sylvia as an example of one player whose consistent performance from midway through the year reflected his response to any feedback.

"His response has been amazing and his buy in has been awesome. It has shown on the field, which is great for him, and I have no doubt Colin will come back firing for pre-season," Grimes said.

Grimes played 21 games in 2012, his first full season of football since he joined the club via the 2007 NAB AFL Draft when he was chosen with selection No.14.

He plays with a wobbling gait that wills him to contest after contest, his clean hands and courage suggesting he will become a very good player.

He played mostly in the midfield, enjoying the opportunity to push up the ground. Although he only kicked one goal for the season, he was among the team's best performers and should finish in the top three of the club best and fairest.

But his main impact was on the culture as it drives towards becoming harder and more ruthless.

"I learned a lot this year. I guess it will be one of those things soon where I will sit down and reflect on the whole year. I have not thought about it too much," he said.

?The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.