A RELAXED and confident coach that recognises the importance of downtime, and a foot that now feels great, has former Melbourne co-captain Jack Trengove back to his best pre-Christmas.

It is a different tale to this time 12 months ago when Trengove was in a moon boot after suffering a stress fracture to his navicular bone.

On Tuesday he admitted it was a tough time, sitting at the AFL Players' Association delegates meeting nursing that injured foot while his teammates were on a camp battling Darwin's heat and humidity.

His efforts to be right for 2013 pre-season had taken their toll and he was not able to show his full capabilities until late in the season.

What he did demonstrate was resilience, somehow making it back from that low-point to play in round two before tallying 20 games for the season.

Now Trengove has re-set himself.

He has agreed to let go of the captaincy and concentrate on becoming as good a player as he can.

Former Dees skipper Jack Trengove enjoying the pre-season. Picture: AFL Media

He hasn't changed the way he applies himself but he expects removing the title, and the duties that often come with it, will take a bit of pressure off his shoulders.

Not that he has noticed a radical change yet.

"It's hard when you are in training because there is not a whole lot of pressure during pre-season training from the outside world," Trengove said. "I might notice it in the coming months."

So far what he has appreciated is Paul Roos balanced approach.

"When it comes to training he is hot on your hammer and drives really high standards but he gives you that downtime as well because he knows that is really important," Trengove said.

He says Roos still emphasises winning contested ball and the importance of tackling but keeps reminding the players that they need to be able to score.

Trengove returned to pre-season training this year with the first to fourth year players, having just completed his fourth season.

A natural midfielder, he will appreciate the extra numbers recruited by the Demons to lend some support. 

In 2013 he averaged just under 18 touches per game but when he had the ball, good things tended to happen for the Demons. He tallied 5.1 possessions per game that had a scoreboard impact.

Trengove knows he has improvement in him and he knows he can play several roles.

Injury free and with his mind clear, his chances of success suddenly seem higher.