MELBOURNE great Todd Viney says he is “super excited” about his son Jack joining the club via the father/son rule in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft.

Viney said that, from a romantic perspective, the thought of Jack playing for Melbourne was enticing. But, from a parental point of view he couldn’t be happier about his son joining the club.

“The club has gone through an enormous transition since I left,” the recently appointed general manager of player development said.

“So really, it was about me taking a backward step and letting Cameron [Schwab] and Chris [Connolly] and the club introduce the club to Jack and selling the story of the Melbourne footy club, which Jimmy [Stynes] started to put back in a really exciting way.

“He (Jack) really made the decision about wanting to play at the Melbourne footy club.”

But Viney said, had the club not undergone a significant transition in recent years, he may have had concerns about Jack joining the Dees.

“Going back two years ago, the club was in enormous difficulties, before Jimmy came on board - with $5 million in debt and without a base,” he said.

“But there are fantastic facilities now at AAMI Park, [as opposed to when] the club from a directional point of view was struggling.

“Since Jimmy has come on board and Cameron and Chris - there is fantastic momentum at this club now. We’ve been lucky enough to pick up some exciting recruits, so it’s a really exciting place. But two years ago it might’ve been different.”

Jack Viney said he was delighted to join the red and blue.

"I've always had a soft spot for the Melbourne footy club," Jack said.

"Dad played here and my uncle Jay [who played 23 matches] played here as well, so growing up I always had a massive soft spot for the Demons, so it wasn’t a hard decision to make.”

Schwab - who when recruiting for Melbourne signed up Todd on Stuart Spencer’s washing machine back in 1986 - said Jack was a highly talented prospect.

“We’ve got a very, very high regard for Jack as a player,” he said.

“He’s come through the system where he’s had to be assessed as a player along the same lines as a potential draftee.

“He’s been very much gone through what any of the players who were drafted on Thursday night went through - in terms of a rigorous process. And the good news is that he’s showing all of the signs of what we believe to have a long-term career in the game.”

Schwab said the club was confident of projecting Jack as an AFL player two years.

“It’s almost like what recruiting once was - the draft age not so long ago was actually looking at players of Jack’s age.

“The opportunity of bringing Jack into the system now, whereby he can establish friendships and a lot of the friendships you establish this age are the ones that do last forever … and the young guys are growing together, so Jack now has that opportunity.”