MELBOURNE’S Paul Wheatley says a move to the midfield was the catalyst for one of his most successful seasons.

While the Demons endured one of their most woeful campaigns in their 150th year, Wheatley’s move from the backline to the wing saw him become one of the side’s most valuable players.

The switch resulted in a career-high eighth in the club’s best and fairest after nine seasons in the AFL.

“It was probably my most consistent season I think. I was happy I got more of a run on the wing. I’ve played a lot down in the backline and sometimes got stuck there,” Wheatley said.

“I’d say I was consistent and hopefully I can continue playing on the wing … next year and another couple of years after that.”

The 27-year-old said his leadership responsibilities noticeably increased throughout the season as veterans David Neitz, Adem Yze and Jeff White left the team.

He soon found himself in unfamiliar territory as one of the old men of the Melbourne side.

“With a lot of the older guys going down early I guess you’ve got to step up and I hope we showed the way and helped out the younger blokes as much as we could,” he said.

 “You don’t really think it until someone says it to you. I remember Colin Garland was cheeky when he said ‘you realise you’re the fourth oldest player out there this weekend?’ I had to stop and think about it and I realised I was,” he said.

Wheatley acknowledged the Demons’ season was largely disappointing but in keeping with the common theme at the best and fairest night, he drew comparisons with the Hawthorn side of 2004.

“People probably don’t even remember four years ago when Hawthorn was battling. I’m sure the Hawks people do but most don’t because they’re premiers now,” he said.

“With a young list and a few of the older guys retiring it is going to be like that for the next couple of years. We’ll get some good young draft picks in and young kids. We might be a couple of years away but we’re heading in the right direction.