Jesse Hogan in line for big pay rise as battling Demons look to lock in star in making

MELBOURNE forward-in-waiting Jesse Hogan is in line for a huge pay increase as the Demons attempt to re-sign the youngster to a long-term contract.

MELBOURNE forward-in-waiting Jesse Hogan is in line for a huge pay increase as the Demons attempt to re-sign the precious goalkicker to a long-term contract.

The club has already begun preliminary talks with Hogan's management on a new contract that could earn the hulking forward more than $500,000 a year from 2016 onwards.

A lucrative new deal worth roughly double the average player wage would be hard to resist for a man yet to play his first AFL game.

But it is likely Hogan, 18, will wait until after the club completes a restructure of its football department to make a decision on his future.

Hogan, who must play out this season in the VFL, is already tied to Melbourne until the end of 2015.

But it is understood the club is intent on extending the aggressive spearhead's deal in line with Jack Martin at Gold Coast, who committed to the Suns for five years early this season.

More talks are scheduled for later in the year between the club and Hogan's Perth-based manager Jason Dover, who also handles the Suns' Martin.

Hogan is critical for the Demons, as the 195cm power forward is set to become a key public face of the club's rebuild from next season.

He has been repeatedly referred to by Melbourne officials in public speeches and media engagements as a silver lining to a dark season.

His signature would be a coup for a club in desperate need to keep its talented youngsters after a horrific start to a season.

A lack of star power in Melbourne's line-up means the Dees will be able to easily accommodate Hogan's steep pay rise.

Players are locked into minimum wages for the first two years of their stay at an AFL club, ranging between $70,000 and $100,000, depending on match payments.

But a rich new deal for Hogan would put the powerful marking target's value on a par with Greater Western Sydney sensation Jeremy Cameron.

Melbourne paid a high price for the West Australian, handing over picks 3 and 13 in exchange for Hogan, speedster Dom Barry and pick 20 last year.

But the under-18 All-Australian has so far delivered upon the hype, dominating in the VFL, providing a ray of hope for the success-starved Demons.

The ready-made AFL forward has kicked 20 goals from eights games in the VFL, the eighth most in the competition.

A source said Hogan could "write his own cheque".

"Every club in the land will be out to get him if he's out of contract, let alone the WA ones," the scout said.

"For Melbourne, he is as important as they get."

Melbourne traded with GWS for Hogan as part of the 17-year-old mini-draft.

The Giants were able to trade access to the four best 17-year-old players in the country born between January and April 30 in 1994 and 1995.