The last thing Chris Dawes wants to do is add to the massive AFL expectation surrounding his young Melbourne teammate Jesse Hogan.

But Dawes admits to having no doubts that the 19-year-old will become a star.

While back stress fractures stopped Hogan from making his senior debut this year, Dawes is confident that the young key forward will be ready for round one next year.

Dawes pointed to the pre-season game in Alice Springs earlier this year, where Hogan made an immediate impression with his prolific work rate.

“It’s so hard to say and probably not even my place to say it,” Dawes said of what Demons fans could expect from Hogan next year.

“I don’t want to build up expectation, but nor do I want to place any limits on him.

“The thing that makes me so confident that he’s going to be a genuine star of the competition is he has that competitiveness and that aggression and that willingness to use his body against big guys.

“You usually see it takes key position players a few years to develop.

“He has that almost innate in him.”

Dawes, himself a key forward, has a mentoring role with Hogan and has no doubt about his AFL future.

One of his on-field roles is to physically protect younger players, but Dawes said that is unnecessary with Hogan.

“I think there will be a few centre half-backs in need of protection,” Dawes said.

He also stressed that Hogan will take time to develop.

“I have no doubt he’ll be a star in years to come,” he said.

“All I hope is – and I don’t think it will affect him – but this massive expectation that’s put on him, is realistic.

“People (need to) understand that, yeah, he’ll probably play round one next year, but he’s still 19, maybe 20.

“You don’t need to expect the world from him just yet.”