MARK NEELD has no doubt Melbourne supporters will jump on board for 2012 and beyond as he takes control as senior coach.

Neeld is convinced that the red and blue faithful will get right behind him and his charges - once they see his style unfold.

“The supporters, when they see the game plan and the way we go about it, I’m very confident that they’ll get on board,” he said.

“And they’ll be there passionately supporting Melbourne from round one of the NAB Cup - I have no doubt.”

Neeld, who was unveiled by the Demons as their new senior coach at the MCG on Saturday, has now ended his time as senior assistant/midfield coach with Collingwood.

He confirmed that he will not take any further part in Collingwood’s quest to go back-to-back premiers.

Neeld will attend Melbourne’s best-and-fairest count this Friday night, instead of Collingwood’s preliminary final against Hawthorn at the MCG.

The 40 year-old is now fully entrenched in the red and blue, and will meet the players for the first time at the Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy dinner at Crown.

He said it will be his first opportunity to meet the group, as they are now on annual leave. But Neeld said he had received several messages from the players since his appointment.

“I’ve had a number of text messages - all positive, and all looking forward to meeting me and rolling our sleeves up and getting the hard work started,” he said.

Neeld said his initial thoughts on the club, as a whole, had also made an impact on him.

“The pride and the passion that these people have for the Melbourne Football Club … so far I’ve met a number of people from different parts of the club … I’ve been extremely impressed,” he said.

Meanwhile, Neeld said a pre-season start date had yet to be confirmed.