The effort from ruckman/forward Paul Johnson has been one encouraging sign. His ability to compete and show intent at the highest level has been something that has not gone unnoticed among the Melbourne faithful.
And the 199cm tall is starting to gain the belief he can now match it in the big time.
"I'm 24 this year and I've nearly played 30 games, so the more time you spend out there, the more you feel comfortable at this level," Johnson told melbournefc.com.au.
"It's like moving into someone's house. The more you're out there, the more comfortable you feel and the more you think you deserve to be there.
"The first couple of games of your career, you think, s---, you're playing against [Graham] Polak. You then question yourself, saying: 'I'm not as good as Polak'.
"But the coaches here have been great and you start to believe them and that's the biggest hurdle with young kids – you play against guys like [Mark] Ricciuto and you grow up idolising these blokes and then you play against them, so it's about getting confidence."
Johnson, who was originally drafted by West Coast at No.24 in the 2002 NAB AFL Draft, played one match for the Eagles in 2003. But his time with West Coast was characterized by a broken leg, injured collarbone and shoulder problems.
And after debuting for Melbourne in 2005, Johnson was then sidelined for most of 2006 after he courageously put his body on the line against Sydney in round four.
The act resulted in another shoulder injury, forcing him on the sidelines for the rest of '06. But Johnson's effort earned high praise from then coach Neale Daniher.
"It did mean a lot [to me when Neale praised me publicly] and we sat down and spoke about it. In the end, you still want to be playing footy and I wish I'd never got injured," Johnson said.
"It was frustrating because I did another shoulder and missed the rest of the year, but it means a lot when someone like Neale Daniher, who has been around the club for 10 years comes down and says: 'It's a turning point in the year', which I don't think it was, but it means a lot."
Johnson said coping with injuries was something he learned to deal with, but he highlighted new recruit Jack Grimes, who is sidelined at the moment with groin and shin problems, as an example of a player having to deal with a similar situation.
"You've only got to look at 'Grimesy', who has come in this year, with his [injury] problems and you do feel sorry for him, because all I wanted to do when I got to an AFL club was be injury free and it knocks you six," Johnson said.
"You think: 'I've never had to deal with this before', so you learn to deal with it and be positive. The year I did my shoulder against Sydney, we played finals and although you miss out, you still feel a part of it."
Johnson again had shoulder surgery at the end of the 2007 season, but he said his body was now starting to strengthen.
"I had more shoulder surgery at the end of last year and I've put my mind to it and said: 'I'm not going to have another one'," he said.
"I've been going really hard at it with all of the exercises and making sure I'm strengthening it up, so the body is holding up really well. It's the best I've felt going into games, so hopefully we can have some wins instead of losses.
"My weight is about the same, but I've put a lot of effort in strength this year rather than bulk and I'm probably the fittest I've been for years."
Although Johnson conceded the start of the year had been "really tough" for the club, he said the club was remaining true to its core values.
"We've tried to focus on our club’s values – hungry, disciplined and united," he said.
