MELBOURNE has elevated Jack Viney to co-captain alongside Nathan Jones for the 2017 season.

Former Hawk Jordan Lewis has been voted straight into the Demons' six-man leadership group.

Veteran Colin Garland has made way, while Tom McDonald, Max Gawn and Bernie Vince make up the rest of the group.

Having just taken charge, coach Simon Goodwin insisted appointing co-captains was a long-term decision.

"This is a model that we think we might have for a number of years moving forward," Goodwin said.

"We think together they are super strong in what we resemble as a footy club.

"This model could last for three, four, five years, it could last for 10 years. We're not sold on this being a one-year thing.

Incumbent skipper Nathan Jones said he hadn't seen the change coming.

"I was surprised early, but obviously you hear Goody speak then, and being able to digest it over the last few days, I'm really confident Jack's a capable young leader, and a terrific talent and player and he's really developing along nicely," he said.

Viney's ascension to the role means he follows in the footsteps of his father Todd, who captained the Demons from 1998-1999.

"It hasn't really sunk in just yet," Viney said.

"I'm so proud to be co-captain of a footy club that has such great history. With my old man as well, there's a bit of sentimental value.

"Dad was obviously pretty proud and so was Mum."

Lewis' elevation to the leadership group is no surprise, but Goodwin was reluctant to admit to securing too much Hawthorn intelligence from his star recruit.

"He understands what's required to be successful," Goodwin said.

"We are different to Hawthorn, we play a different way, and he's really embraced that."

Melbourne is holding an intraclub match at Olympic Park on Friday afternoon.