Jack Viney says Nathan Jones still best man to captain Melbourne

MELBOURNE star Jack Viney has never been shy about his leadership ambitions, but he believes his AFL apprenticeship still has at least two years to run.

Jake Melksham and Jack Viney at training.

MELBOURNE star Jack Viney has never been shy about his leadership ambitions, but he believes his AFL apprenticeship still has at least two years to run.

Viney, 22, is the vice-captain to skipper Nathan Jones and the heir apparent for the role with the up-and-coming Demons.

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Jones will turn 29 in January, but Viney doesn’t see a leadership transition happening any time soon.

“He (Jones) has done a terrific job as captain and he’s still learning and becoming an even better leader every year,” Viney said.

“I think he’s definitely got a couple more years left in him at least.”

Jack Viney (right) hits the track for pre-season training with Jake Melksham.

The combative onballer enhanced his leadership credentials in September with his first best-and-fairest award. Viney, however, feels like he’s still got a lot to learn.

“I want to be seen as someone who lives the trademarks and the values our club upholds,” he said.

“For my peers to see me as someone who does that would be very humbling ... it means a lot to me.

“But I still feel like I’m learning about leadership, what makes a great leader, and I feel like I’m getting better at that.

“I’m just on the journey at the moment and really enjoying it.”

Viney had hip surgery two days after Melbourne’s season ended and has started his pre-season campaign on a modified program.

But he’s already about a week ahead of schedule in his recovery and expects to join the main group in early December.

The Demons are only weeks into new coach Simon Goodwin’s tenure, but Viney can already sense a difference from the past three years under Paul Roos.

“We’re definitely still on the same path that we’ve been going down for the past few years, but it does feel like a bit of a new era under Goody,” he said.

“He’s a different coach to Roosy and I can’t wait to have a full pre-season with him to see how he directs the group and the football club.”

Originally published as Jack Viney says Nathan Jones still best man to captain Melbourne