JACK Viney has urged Melbourne's top draftees Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw to act like 'sponges' as they get set to enter their first seasons in the AFL.

Like Viney, Petracca, pick No. 2 in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft, and Brayshaw, pick No. 3, were both highly touted coming out of the under-18 system.

Viney, pick No.26 in the 2012 draft, played 13 games in his first year, with the Demons identifying that too much responsibility was placed on his shoulders, too early in his career.

Coach Paul Roos' mantra of not allowing the Demons' youngsters to be seen as saviours of the club means Petracca and Brayshaw will be allowed to develop at their own pace.

"My advice to them is to really be a sponge and to ask plenty of questions," Viney told AFL.com.au.

"They should sit down with a few of the older guys and see what their experience has been like within the AFL industry."

Viney's assured style of play has made him an important member of Roos' side, with the midfielder's uncompromising attack on the footy already a staple of his game.

The definitive step in Petracca and Brayshaw's development, Viney said, would be proving to themselves that they belonged at the top level.

"They've got to be confident and be confident in their own ability," he said.

"They've both been drafted for a reason, so they've just got to go out there and train hard and things will take care of themselves."

Already Demons supporters are salivating about how powerful the midfield will be with Viney, Petracca and Brayshaw joining the likes of Dom Tyson and Christian Salem in the near future.

However Viney has stressed the need for patience.

"After a couple of pre-seasons we'll really be able to see where Christian and Angus are at and what they're like," Viney said.

"It's a pretty big step up to playing under-18s."

It is sometimes easy to forget that Viney is still just 20.

He has already been pegged as a future leader at Melbourne, having displayed the kinds of qualities rarely seen in a young player.

But after a frustrating build up to last season, due mainly to niggling injuries, Viney is fighting fit and feels confident in his body as he approaches his third season in the League.

"I've been able to complete 100 per cent of the training so far, so I'm getting great confidence out of the training I'm producing at the moment," Viney said.

"It certainly makes me really excited to see what this kind of fitness level will allow me to produce."