MELBOURNE coach Mark Neeld has hosed down expectations that exciting draftees Jimmy Toumpas and Jack Viney will be full-time regular senior players in 2013.

The pair both impressed in patches during Friday's modified intra-club practice match at Casey Fields, but Neeld is mindful that they be nursed through their first seasons in the AFL.

Toumpas ran through the midfield, recovering nicely after a knock to the leg kept him off for the entire second term. Viney was busy and creative at clearances and in his instance, the 12 months he has already spent at the club was clearly evident.

They may get a run in the NAB Cup openers against Richmond and North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Friday night. They may also be in the side for the season opener against Port Adelaide at the MCG on 31 March. Just don't pencil them in for 22 games this year.

"There's no external pressure," Neeld said. "We'll let them come in, adapt to being AFL players and see how they go.

"Our plan is not to play those boys every game, be it NAB Cup games or the home and away season. We get lots of information and among that the workload increases every week and every season. It's hard for an 18-year-old to come in and make an impact on every game.

"We want them to be long term players for the football club, so we don't want to kill them early," he said.

Toumpas was the fourth selection overall at last year's NAB AFL National Draft, while Viney was a father-son selection last year, having spent the year training with the club and playing for the Casey Scorpions.

Jimmy Toumpas is a $172,500 midfielder in AFL Fantasy in 2013. Register your team at our AFL Fantasy Hub.

Jack Viney is a $102,700 midfielder in AFL Fantasy in 2013. Register your team at our AFL Fantasy Hub.