IT HAS been a frustrating two-year introduction to the AFL for Melbourne's Sam Blease, but finally, in his third season, he is showing signs of being the player the Demons were hoping he'd become.

Blease was selected by Melbourne at pick 17 in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft, but it wasn't until round 15 this season against the Western Bulldogs that he made his long awaited debut - a moment Blease thought may never happen.

Blease's first year with the Demons came to a sudden halt when he broke his lower leg having a kick of the footy at lunchtime during his final year of school.

The rehabilitation that followed was a long, tough journey for Blease, and it meant he missed the first 16 rounds of the 2010 season before resuming with Casey in the VFL for the final six games of the year.

Physically, trying to regain fitness and strength in his leg has been tough, but the mental toll the injury took on the 20-year-old was unexpected.

With his confidence shot, Blease sought help from a psychologist away from the club to help him deal with his mental demons.

"I guess some people don't realise how big a part the mind plays [in football]," Blease told afl.com.au.

"The worry I had was 'will I come back from it?'

"It was a really bad break and I suppose how it happened at school, wasn't a great way to do any sort of injury. I owe the club for keeping me on and showing me some faith.

"My whole first year was pretty much a write-off. Last year was just about getting back into footy and gaining some confidence. This year I've finally been able to break into the side.

"I suppose mentally it took a toll on me rather than physically. I had to see a few people just to get my mind right and I feel really good at the moment.

"It's been a long road but I'm just enjoying playing AFL at the moment."

Although his first two years at Melbourne haven’t exactly worked out the way Blease had hoped, the experience has made him a stronger person, and that certainly has shone through in his new role in defence.

"I am [mentally tougher]," Blease said after the win against Gold Coast.

"It's been tough but I've had some pretty good support from my teammates, family and friends.

"I've locked into [Melbourne assistant coach] Brian Royal and really tried to learn the defensive caper and that's still something I need to and want to work on. Hopefully next year I can have a more rounded game of defence and attack."

If Sundays' performance was anything to go by then the 20-year-old has a bright future ahead of him at the Demons.

He had 28 disposals, seven rebounds and four inside 50s in Melbourne's 30-point win over Gold Coast, and used his pace to burst off half-back to create opportunities for his teammates.

"I've sort of come into the half-back role in the last couple of years," Blease told afl.com.au.

"I've still got a lot to learn defensively but I suppose I just try to help the boys out and give them a bit of run of half-back when I have the chance.

"I played my junior football as a forward but I don’t mind going down back. I watched a lot of players from other clubs that play that role pretty well - when I got told I was going to be moved down there and I learnt a lot off them. I'm slowly understanding it a bit better week by week."

It seems he has the caught the attention of not only interim coach Todd Viney, but also the red and blue faithful.

"I was rapt with Bleasey's game," Viney said after the game.

"You can just hear the crowd get really excited when he starts to take off and you see him run and bounce and the path opened for him. He's going to be a really good player."