YOUNGSTERS Jesse Hogan and Angus Brayshaw have stepped up over the summer and have been among the most impressive players this pre-season, says Brendan McCartney.

The player/coach performance manager said they were two of several improved performers among the squad.  

“I think the natural progression of some of our younger players, like Angus Brayshaw and Jesse Hogan have shown they’re progressing, as are a lot of the younger players,” he told melbournefc.com.au.

“Sometimes when they’re young, they’re OK in some drills and not so good in other drills. But as they mature and get better, they stand out in every drill and they actually do every drill well.

“It might be a kicking drill at the start and they do that well and then there might be some contest work and decision-making and they do that well. Then they might do a ball movement or defending drill well. When you do every drill well and you see that happening with the young players, you see them progressing.”

McCartney has also been most impressed by the club’s key recruits.

“It’s been enjoyable watching Jordan Lewis and Michael Hibberd come in and just show that they understand the game and know what to do and adapt really quickly to things,” he said.

“I’ve seen almost every player take another step forward this year with their learning and development, and their ability to hone in on a brand of footy that we’re working very hard to instill.”

McCartney said the draftees were at different stages.

“You generally get a really good feel for first year players late January/early February. You see the ones who are going to be ready to play, the ones who might need a full year of development at Casey and others that you think ‘they might be right in the first five or six weeks’,” he said.

“It’s too early to tell yet, but based on the character they’ve brought with them, and how willing they are to mix it up and crack in – and have a crack at things – they’re standing up to the recruiting motto of ‘they’re competitive young kids, they have lots of character and fight about them’.”

McCartney said the recent Christmas/New Year break was also important for all involved in the game.

“You can never control what all of them do, because they all go to different parts of the world and parts of Australia and that’s important that there is a break and they enjoy some time with their family,” he said.

“For a lot of people in AFL footy, it is really the only time you get with family. Holidays fall at an odd time – partners are working, mums and dads are working or friends and other members of families are working – so it’s the one time of the year where you do get a chance to catch-up with everyone. I know the coaches value it and I value it – more highly than a spell at the end of the season to be honest.

“By mid-January – in the blink of an eye, you’re back and you’re playing games. Once you start playing games, you’re in it up to your eyeballs for about 10 months.”

McCartney said the club was now entering “a really exciting phase”.

“Having been here two years now, there has been incredible growth in the playing group and I’ve seen the staff really learn to work together and support one another. [It’s] a coaching group that’s heavily invested in the players. Our medical conditioning group is heavily invested and works very well with each other to give the players the best opportunity to build their bodies.

“From that point of view, the harmony in the workplace, the unity and the desire for us all to get better and enjoy something is very evident to me. 

“I know the players are definitely responding, but it’s going to be a challenging future because the AFL system is a challenging environment. More of me thinks that it’s going to be really exciting. We won’t lack for talent, we won’t lack for preparation, we’re really confident we won’t lack in intensity and we won’t lack for effort.

“We won’t win every game, but our gut feel is that we’re going to be very competitive. The overall aim is to strive for another level of improvement and understanding of how we want to play footy at the Melbourne footy club.”