FOUR-TIME premiership player Jordan Lewis has wasted little time making his mark at Melbourne, the Demons hoping his experience will help them return to the finals for the first time in 11 years.
Demons defender Tom McDonald said Lewis had been an influential figure during his first pre-season with the club since coming across from Hawthorn at the end of last year.
"He's already had a huge impact," McDonald told radio station SEN on Wednesday.
"We've already got a couple training drills named after him, the Lewis kick drill.
"He's already teaching our guys how to kick better.
"I think everyone has loved his influence so far."
Lewis played 264 games in 12 seasons with the Hawks in a period that included winning flags in 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
"Everyone knows he's been a super player and been at one of the most successful teams of all time," McDonald said.
"With that, comes a natural level of respect.
"He picks his places when he wants to talk, he doesn't want to be overbearing and feel like he's pushing himself on to other guys.
"The guys just love when he speaks about something that's happening at training or his experiences, everyone just laps it up."
The Demons haven't played in the finals since 2006, but they have progressed steadily in recent years, winning two games in 2013, four in 2014, seven in 2015 and 10 last year.
"I think we're definitely capable of playing finals," McDonald said.
"It hasn't been said as a group that we have to play finals or it's a failure or anything like that.
"I think progression for us is to be playing finals pretty soon and not just be playing, but to be doing well in finals.
"That's the next step for us."
McDonald expected there wouldn't be "wholesale changes" to the team's game style under new coach Simon Goodwin.
"I think he's imparted his own flavour," McDonald said.
"Simon is very, very open to trying new things and being a bit more adventurous with some things that might be considered, I don't know, a bit flairy in some ways I guess, but he's open to trying it.
"If it doesn't work, it doesn't work.
"I don't think there will be wholesale changes, especially on the defensive side.
"There will may be little changes on the offensive side of the game, but I think the basis will be the same."
One of those set to benefit from an additional emphasis on attack is running defender Jayden Hunt.
"I'm expecting him to take the next step," McDonald said.
"His attributes, his speed, his power, he has put on a bit of weight, especially through his legs, I think he's going to be one of the better half-backs in the League this year."
