Melbourne Demons have turned the corner and want to be a tough, competitive and resilient AFL club — and Jake Lever can make that wish a reality.

Lever, the club’s boom backline recruit for this season, has adapted quickly to his new surroundings and coach Simon Goodwin believes the 21-year-old has brought a competitive edge to the Demons.

“He’s been terrific,” the second-year coach said.

“We certainly go about bringing quality, competitive people to our footy club and Jake’s shown that all summer.”

Despite hitting the ground running, the 2017 All-Australian team nominee’s only fault is perhaps that he cares too much.

Not that Goodwin minds.

“He’s hard to coach in drills because he’s so competitive that he stuffs a few (them) up, which is a great thing to have as a coach,” Goodwin said on Monday.

“He’s settled in really well, he’s got great leadership (qualities) and he wants to win.”

The rising star has also got rave reviews from his new teammates, with larger-than-life ruckman Max Gawn comparing his intensity to that of 10-time French Open winner Rafael Nadal.

“He’s come in and been a born and natural leader, which is someone that we need at our club,” Gawn told AAP.

“His running is really good. He fights.

“I mean we’re in the Australian Open at the moment … and he reminds me a little bit of Rafael Nadal how he keeps fighting until the final whistle goes.

“He’s definitely impressed.”

Melbourne lured Lever from the Adelaide Crows back to his home state of Victoria in one of the most high-profile moves of last year’s trade period.

But at a cost, as the Demons parted ways with two first-round draft selections and coughed up a multi-year deal rumoured to be in the region of $750,000 a year.

Given his pedigree and on-field leadership, Melbourne will be hoping to see a return on their investment and ending an 11-year finals drought would be a mighty start.

His inclusion in the defence will necessitate a semi-permanent move forward for defender-cum-goalkicker Tom McDonald, who had his magnate moved south to great effect last season to snag a career-high 23 majors.

“Tom will play forward,” Goodwin said.

“We sent him up (forward) about the middle of last year and also the start of this pre-season.

“We’re looking forward to seeing him and Jess (Hogan) and Pedo (Cameron Pederson) working together inside our forward 50 … and obviously with Sam Weideman there as well.”