Demons impressed by teenager Jesse Hogan's honesty and character as they look long term

MELBOURNE coach Mark Neeld is confident Jesse Hogan is a low-risk prospect, despite AFL history being littered with prime key position draft picks who were slow to flourish.

MELBOURNE coach Mark Neeld is confident Jesse Hogan is a low-risk prospect, despite AFL history being littered with prime key position draft picks who were slow to flourish.

The Demons parted with pick No.3 for Hogan, a 17-year-old not eligible to play AFL until 2014, but Neeld senses he is a blue-chip investment.

"It can be (a risk), but we're really confident with what we went through with Jesse and the criteria we went through," Neeld said.

"OK, some taller ones will take longer. History says that ... but in the end, the ones that make it are your competitive, strong characters."

Hogan has a strong frame and has been likened to Brisbane Lions key forward Jonathan Brown, but it was his tough talking as much as his attack on the ball that impressed Melbourne.

"You just sit down with them (competitive players) and you know," Neeld said.

"Ben Reid, Nathan Brown, who I have had the pleasure of working with before, you just knew with them, too.

"You talk to these guys, and they were taken high in the draft, and you just know they are natural competitive players and they're going to give everything they've got.

"We were really impressed with Jesse. You speak to him and watch him play ... he's really honest. We all loved the way he played."

Hogan will get a taste of high-level football in the VFL next year and Neeld is content that when he does push for senior selection in 2014 there will be plenty of support around him.

"We now believe with Mitch Clark, Chris Dawes and Cam Pederson, they can help Jesse's development without having to have him get in there and do everything for us from the word go," Neeld said.