Melbourne midfielder Bernie Vince says young Demon Jesse Hogan “pretty special” AFL talent

MELBOURNE midfielder Bernie Vince has labelled young spearhead Jesse Hogan a “pretty special” talent as excitement builds towards his debut.

Melbourne time-trial at Princes Park

MELBOURNE midfielder Bernie Vince has labelled young spearhead Jesse Hogan a “pretty special” talent as excitement builds towards his debut next season.

The 195cm goalkicker sat out the Demons’ 3km time-trial on Friday but trained with the main group afterwards as he continues his comeback from serious back problems.

The Demons revealed slimmer figures in their return from the Christmas break after committing to a low-carbohydrate paleo diet until the end of the season.

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Fellow talls Chris Dawes, Mark Jamar, Max Gawn and Jack Watts (groin) also sat out the morning run around Princes Park, led home by Tom McDonald, Rohan Bail and Jordie McKenzie.

Demons recruit Billy Stretch, right, paces the group. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Second-year livewire Jay Kennedy-Harris continued his solid summer campaign placing fifth, with new recruits Heritier Lumumba finishing in 11th and ex-Blue Jeff Garlett in 30th.

Top draft picks Angus Brayshaw (No. 3) ran home in 17th and explosive midfield-forward Christian Petracca (No. 2) finished 27th.

Demon Jesse Hogan put through his paces last month. Picture: Colleen Petch

Vince said the results included many personal best times.

“There was a lot in that group,” Vince said. “It was pretty impressive the way they (teammates) have come back (to training), but we expected nothing less.”

Hogan, 19, remains on track to play in the Demons’ NAB Challenge series in preparation for the club’s first and second-round clashes against Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney.

Demons recruit Heritier Lumumba in pain crossing the finish line. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

While coach Paul Roos has vowed to protect his young players from premature exposure at AFL level, Vince said the Dees were looking forward to Hogan’s long-awaited debut.

“Jesse Hogan, I would love to have some of his talent and running ability,” he said. “I know everyone has been talking about it a lot over the last couple of years, but he is something pretty special.

“I can’t wait for him to get out there, but in saying that, he hasn’t played a game yet.”

Vince also said Watts was “not far off” rejoining the main group in his recovery from groin soreness.

“He was doing a heap of running earlier in the week,” he said.

“I thought he might have been running today, but over the Christmas break he was working hard, running pretty hard.”

Melbourne high-flyer Jeremy Howe sports new tattoo. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Melbourne will begin its NAB Challenge assault against Fremantle in the west on March 5, followed by the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat on March 14 and Essendon at Etihad Stadium on March 20.

Vince said the Demons were given “pretty specific” fitness programs to follow over the break, with many teammates gathering in cities across the country to train together.

Vince, 29, said the new diet had helped the group shed weight.

“A lot of guys have lost of a bit of weight and aren’t losing any strength, so I only see it as a positive so far,” Vince said.

“I don’t feel any less energised anyway and I’m a little bit lighter myself. Hopefully that can transfer into some good results come the season.”

Captain Nathan Jones is expected to rejoin the senior training group next week after sitting out the time trial due to a cut on his foot.

The recently re-signed skipper suffered the injury in a surfing accident.

Originally published as Melbourne midfielder Bernie Vince says young Demon Jesse Hogan “pretty special” AFL talent