Nathan Jones joins Jack Grimes as co-captain of Melbourne for 2014 season

PAUL Roos says Melbourne's biggest challenge in his first year back in the coaches box will be burying the ghosts of seasons past.

Nathan Jones and Jack Grimes at training on Wednesday. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

PAUL Roos says Melbourne's biggest challenge in his first year back in the coaches box will be burying the ghosts of seasons past.

The Demons, who yesterday unveiled Jack Grimes and Nathan Jones as this year's co-captains, have won just 7 of their last 51 games.

"When you have struggled for a while obviously there are a lot of scars," Roos said.

"When you get beaten and only win two games and you lose 20 and you've had a couple of really bad years, there are some sort of scars there, it's only human nature.

"So I think that's our biggest challenge - just to get some real confidence and belief in each other."

James Frawley, Mitch Clark, Colin Garland and Jack Trengove, who relinquished the captaincy at the end of last season, make up a revamped six-man leadership group.

Asked about his expectations for the season, Roos said: "I think the expectations I have is just to set some really high standards and get the players more involved in what we are doing.

"I'm still learning about the players, I mean we've trained really well but how will we go in games? That is the unknown for me.

"But they are a really coachable group and a really good group of people. They want to learn, that's probably the biggest thing. They are frustrated for the fans and for themselves that they haven't had much success over the last two or three years."

Roos said the club brought forward yesterday's captaincy announcement because Grimes and Jones were the standout candidates.

MELBOURNE SUPERCOACH PRICES

Great for Nate Jones and Jack Grimes as co-captains. Why put pressure on a single captain at Dees? Both wanted it bad. Well deserved

— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) January 29, 2014

"Through the process it became more and more obvious both from the coaching point of view and the players' point of view that there were probably two standouts to lead the club," Roos said.

"Originally my thoughts were to go through the practice game situation but it became obvious that that wasn't necessary."

Jones, 26, a shining light and best and fairest winner amid the wreckage of season 2013, said there was a sense of hope on the back of the club's dramatic off-field rebuild. Melbourne's coach, president and chief executive were all removed during last year's upheaval.

"I think now we are on the right track," Jones said.

"In the past we have been through some pretty rough times but there is some real light at the end of the tunnel now. The footy club is really sorting itself out and to be at the head of that with Grimesy, I'm really honoured and pleased."

NEELD LANDS NEW FOOTY ROLE

Grimes, 24, a co-captain for the past two seasons alongside Trengove, said a focus on defensive pressure has been the priority during pre-season training.

"We can see the difference in training already," Grimes said.

"The difference in the intensity and how we go about our training ... and I think you'll really see a change in our defensive side to our game. It was clear that we had to improve in a fair few areas from last year, but a lot of focus has really been about nailing that defence and then all the offence will come from there.

"I guess I see myself as a much better captain today, than what I was day one. I feel like although you have been through a fair bit over the last couple of years as all these boys have ... I've learnt a lot from it and I really feel like I've grown as a person and a leader as well, so I was really keen to put my hand up.

"I've made it clear that there were times when I struggled, but at the same time they were the times that I developed most as a person, too."

Roos said Trengove, whose form slipped alarmingly after becoming footy's youngest ever captain at age 20 in February 2012, was keen to continue in the leadership group.

"When I spoke to Trenners I think he did find it (the captaincy) a bit of a burden," Roos said.

"He actually wants to concentrate on his game, which is the right thing to do and wants to develop as a footballer, but certainly there's no question that he is one of the leaders within the group."