AS A young leader of a football club trying to establish itself as a legitimate finals contender, Melbourne co-captain Jack Viney has been forced to experience hardships well outside his level of expertise for the job. 

The Demons have lost key personnel – their two most important players Max Gawn and Jesse Hogan have played just seven games between them – which would have been crippling for the success-starved team in past seasons. 

Melbourne has been without a recognised ruckman for a good part of the season, following injuries to Gawn and Jake Spencer; Hogan experienced the loss of his father to cancer and then just weeks later was diagnosed with the disease himself and experienced players Jordan Lewis, Bernie Vince and Hogan have missed games through suspension. 

"Being exposed to those kinds of challenges does make you grow up a bit," Viney told AFL.com.au.

"I'm sure I'll be better off for the future."  

Despite the difficulties that have emerged through the first half of the season, Viney – who was elevated to the co-captaincy alongside Nathan Jones at the start of the season – is relishing the opportunity to lead.

"I'm really enjoying it," Viney said. 

"Challenges have been thrown at our footy club all year, whatever it might be, we've had to face it.

"We've done it the hard way this year so far. To the boys' credit, we've made no excuses, we've just gone about our business." 

Viney was pivotal in the Demons' come-from-behind four-point win over Collingwood at the MCG on Monday, with his last quarter efforts decisive in the result.

The tough midfielder had nine disposals (three contested), three tackles, two clearances and three handball receives in the tense final term, ending his day with 25 touches and seven tackles. 

"I haven't been doing anything too special, but I feel like I've been able to do what the team requires me to do," Viney said. 

"I'm really confident and content with where my form is at the moment." 

Melbourne sits in sixth position on the ladder with upcoming games against the Western Bulldogs, West Coast and Sydney to shape its season and decide whether it makes finals for the first time since 2006.

The run of games over the next three weeks also includes three six-day breaks, making the contests more testing. 

"I've never been in the top eight in this part of the year during my career," Viney said. 

"It is nice, but there's still a lot of football to be played and the competition's so close at the moment you never who's going to win on the day."