Rodan has packed plenty into his 176-game career, having played some eye-catching games and a grand final with Port Adelaide in 2007. He has also had knee reconstructions and was sacked by his first club, Richmond, before going to Port, from where he was traded to Melbourne.

''You obviously learn more on the down times than you do on the up times, that's what AFL footy is,'' he said on Friday. ''I'll be driving, with those guys, persistence. If you persist you'll override everything. They're training pretty hard at the moment. It's testing times but they're going to be better for it.''

Rodan, 29, said he enjoyed acting as a mentor to younger players and had found a group eager to learn, with the talent to ''go a long way''.

But given his history of injuries, the limited impact he had at Port this year and the challenge confronting Melbourne to rise again, there are doubts over whether the midfielder will still be with the Demons when, and if, they become a legitimate contender again.

''You could argue that,'' Rodan said. ''We're hoping to get some success as soon as we can. With the players we've got - experienced players - we can fast-track that. Hopefully I can see some finals and near-premierships coming soon.''

Rodan said he was impressed with Melbourne as soon as he met coach Mark Neeld and had already nominated an area where the Demons could improve. ''I feel we've got to take on the game a bit more. We've got some big forwards there and you want to get it to them and once you do it they'll do the rest.''