MELBOURNE'S Dean Kent hopes the club's talented youngsters can stick together so it can develop into a great team.
In a week where Tom McDonald and Dom Barry committed to the club until 2016, Kent told AFL.com.au the Demons' youngsters were bonding well.
He said highly rated forward Jesse Hogan's decision to extend his contract until 2017, announced last week, was another positive step in the club's quest to become one of the AFL's better teams in the next few seasons.
"The vibe among the boys is really good and we're looking forward to the next seven games and the pre-season with Roosy (coach Paul Roos)," Kent said.
Kent, who is tied to the club until 2016, has been a solid performer in the past month after an interrupted pre-season, with injury and suspension restricting him to just two senior games before round 13.
Two of the three goals he kicked have been running, bouncing goals as he outsprinted opponents charging back into a vacant forward 50. Roos described his goal in the last quarter against Essendon as the best goal he had seen all season.
"I like taking the game on and having a run," Kent said.
Kent is being developed as a high half-forward, a very demanding role under Roos as it requires an enormous amount of two-way running. Kent said it is getting easier as his fitness grows.
He is excited at the prospect of playing alongside Hogan, a player he has become good friends with since joining Melbourne although he emphasises expectations surrounding the 19-year-old should be realistic.
"He has definitely got the talent but talent just gets thrown out the window in AFL footy," Kent said.
"You have got to work hard and keep your fitness. He has got a big frame but he needs to keep building on his muscle and get stronger so that will be good for him."
The two were opponents playing colts football in Western Australia and played together at Casey Scorpions last season when Hogan won its best and fairest and goalkicking awards.
A back injury has seen Hogan have to wait to make his debut but he is still a chance to play senior football before the season ends.
Until the curtain closes on 2014, Kent said the team is intent on improving further. He said it was disappointed with its performance against Fremantle.
It hopes to make a better fist of the game against Geelong this Saturday at the MCG.
"We're looking for the next seven weeks to improve," Kent said.
"We know we have talent. If 15 or 16 can play our role we'll put it up to Geelong."
