MELBOURNE continues to bolster its midfield, signing Ben Newton as a delisted free agent, as forecast by AFL.com.au last week.
The 22-year-old broke through at AFL level for four games in 2014 with Port Adelaide, but with a squeeze likely for opportunities with the Power, he chose a longer-term arrangement with the Demons than was on offer at Port.
Melbourne general manager of player personnel Todd Viney said the club had been watching Newton for a considerable time and had scouted him heavily last season.
"He was one of those players that we identified to watch after being an elite junior [footballer]. We watched him pretty closely and monitored his form over the last period," he said.
"He did some things that really caught our eye."
The Demons particularly rate Newton's ability around stoppages and at clearances.
"He's got a great ability to take the ball cleanly from stoppage and get out of traffic well," he said.
"He's a left footer who has a bit of time, he has some nice foot skills and he's a goalkicking mid, which is always a good attribute to have. But he's a natural finder of the footy – he can find the ball well."
Newton is originally from Western Australia and was selected by Port at No.35 in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft. He is also a graduate of the AFL-AIS Academy.
