BRAYDON Preuss didn't make the move to Melbourne just to be Max Gawn's understudy and believes there is room for the Demons to play both big men.

Preuss, 23, was traded from North Melbourne in exchange for midfielder Dom Tyson and pick No.62 in the upcoming NAB AFL Draft after seeking more opportunities to play at the highest level.

Joining a side that has the best ruckman in the AFL left some commentators questioning the move, but for Preuss the factors in making the decision were clear cut.

"I want to play beside Maxy. Everyone thinks I want to play as his back up, but I want to play beside him," Preuss said as he joined his new teammates for their first session of the pre-season on Monday morning.

"I feel like I can develop it (ruck craft) a lot more than it is now. Training against and with the best you seem to get better [and that's what I hope to do].

"At North we tried it in a few (pre-season) games last year and I thought it worked OK, so hopefully we can make it work here."

Preuss played eight games for North Melbourne in 2017 but could not force his way into the side last season as Todd Goldstein was preferred as the No.1 ruckman.

Gawn was part of the Demons' presentation to Preuss – a rugby convert – as they looked to recruit him in the off-season, and the former Roo is confident they can develop a good rapport.

"We got along pretty well," Preuss said.

"He was all for playing the two big men and I think he's 27, so he's old as.

"I wanted his thoughts on it because he was the most important voice to hear, and he was all for it."