THE DECISION from Melbourne midfielder Jack Viney to re-sign for the next four seasons leaves star forward Jesse Hogan as the Demons' most significant contract priority. 

Viney, who was already contracted to the end of 2017, announced a new deal on Tuesday night that will take him through to the end of 2020.

In career-best form and sitting second in the AFL Coaches Association player of the year award, Viney said he was "passionate and excited" about the direction the Demons were headed. 

The club is now likely to turn its attention to West Australian forward Hogan, who is also signed until the end of 2017, as more young players commit to the future under coach-in-waiting Simon Goodwin.

"I just believe the club is going in a terrific direction and the playing group and coaching group we have at the club is something I'm super excited about," Viney told the club's website. 

"Obviously I'm very passionate and excited about the direction that the club’s going and to know that I'll be here for a few more years is very exciting as well.

"It was a very simple decision, an easy decision for myself."

Hogan, who is central to the Demons' future and a looming star of the competition, put off contract talks until the end of this year to avoid ongoing speculation about his future.

Brisbane Lions premiership star Jonathan Brown this week said Fremantle should offer the 21-year-old a deal he couldn't refuse, such as a $15 million contract over 10 years. 

Viney's early re-signing further underlines his potential as a future captain of the club, for which his father Todd played 233 games from 1987-1999.

Already a member of Melbourne’s leadership group in his fourth season, the 22-year-old said captaining the Demons was not a priority.

"It’s not something that is a burning ambition of mine, to become the club captain," he said.

"I certainly want to be a leader amongst the group and have my peers vote me and see me as a leader of the football club in terms of driving standards and performing on the field and dragging other guys along for the journey.

"So if that day did come, where my peers did see me in that position, it’d certainly be very humbling and I’d be very grateful for the opportunity."

Viney is averaging a career-high 28.4 disposals and 15 contested possessions a game, while kicking 15 goals in his seven games.