MELBOURNE coach Simon Goodwin provides an update on all 44 players in the lead-up to the 2018 season. Be sure to check back each day for much of January, as we present this year’s squad …

Mitch King
After missing most of 2016 with a knee injury, and returning in April last year, Mitch continues to build his game. He is in a similar position to Lochie Filipovic, and has been working incredibly hard at his ruck craft with Max Gawn and Greg Stafford. Mitch continues to emerge in the full ground drills and has shown he is a really competitive big man.

Jake Lever
Jake arrived at the footy club from Adelaide in the off-season. He comes to Melbourne after playing 56 games with the Crows in three seasons and having been named in the All-Australian squad in 2017. He has been outstanding in the way he trains and his leadership within the group. Jake hasn’t missed a beat since joining the club.

Jordan Lewis
I don’t know how he does it, but Jordan simply doesn’t miss a session of pre-season. Now entering his 14th AFL season, he continues to show great leadership with the playing group and has been working with the backline throughout the early part of pre-season. Again, a highlight of his work has been his leadership with the backline group.

Corey Maynard (rookie)
Corey made his AFL debut in 2017 against GWS Giants in Canberra, and impressed in his first year at the club, particularly in the VFL finals series for Casey. He continues to show genuine improvement, especially around his fundamentals. Corey continues to evolve as a player through the midfield and we’re also looking to play him forward at times this year.